Wisdom From The Top with Guy Raz

Jacqueline Novogratz shares her journey from investment banking to creating Acumen, delivering over $100 million to help low-income communities worldwide. She discusses empowering women in Africa, the transformative power of listening in leadership, and advocating for a more equitable capitalist system prioritizing social impact over profit.

Explore the inception and success of BET, led by Debra Lee, the first Black-owned business on NYSE. Learn about Lee's transition from lawyer to CEO and the challenges she faced. Dive into the evolution of BET's programming and the importance of representation for women of color in leadership roles.

Leena Nair's inspiring journey from a small Indian town to becoming the CEO of Chanel, overcoming gender bias and excelling in HR. Discussion on prioritizing employee well-being during the COVID-19 crisis and the importance of therapy for personal growth. Exploring Unilever's innovative recruitment processes and strategies for business continuity in challenging times.

Shellye Archambeau knew as a teenager she wanted to grow up and become a CEO. But when Shellye started as an undergraduate at the Wharton School of Business in 1980, there were just two female CEOs of large corporations, and none of the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies were Black. Despite the lack of representation, Shellye became the first Black woman to lead a division of IBM overseas. She broke barriers and took risks leading to a successful career with leadership positions at Blockbuster, Zaplet and MetricStream. In this 2022 conversation with Guy Raz, Shellye discusses her book Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms, and details both her singular approach to leadership and her advice for taking ownership of one’s career.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kenneth Chenault, the first African American CEO of American Express, shares his journey of breaking barriers and transforming AmEx into a credit card powerhouse. He discusses handling racism, aspirations, and encounters with mentors, along with promoting financial literacy and navigating challenges in business. The podcast also touches on wealth inequality, corporate responsibility, and the importance of values in society.

Jason Fried, CEO of 37signals, advocates for limited work hours and unconventional work practices. Topics include promoting work-life balance, resisting growth to prioritize independence, Basecamp's remote work culture, advocating for a 40-hour workweek, staying small for long-term success, and the debate of born skills vs learned skills.

Mark King, CEO of Taco Bell, shares his experience revolutionizing the sports industry and applying those strategies to the fast food world. He discusses his success in leading Taco Bell through the pandemic and his background in revolutionizing the golf industry. King also talks about navigating lawsuits, building a disruptive brand, and the importance of reenergizing company culture. He reflects on the power of fear and continuous growth in leadership.

Ken Coleman, America's Career Coach, shares insights on finding work with meaning. He discusses his journey to broadcasting, the challenges and importance of connections in the industry, and the revival of the Ken Coleman Show. He emphasizes the importance of aligning talent, passion, and mission to find fulfillment and success in work.

Joe Keohane, a longtime journalist, talks about the benefits of connecting with strangers. He explores how talking to strangers can increase happiness, empathy, and trust. They discuss techniques for starting conversations and building confidence. The podcast also examines the importance of talking to strangers in early human societies and addresses the fear of rejection. The speaker shares their personal transformative journey of writing a book and embracing optimism.

Science writer and investigative reporter David Epstein discusses the importance of having a wide range of interests for successful outcomes in sports and life. He explores the role of coaches in athlete development, uncovers steroid use in sports, challenges the 10,000-hour rule, and highlights the advantages of being a generalist. Contrasting examples of success, including Tiger Woods and Roger Federer, demonstrate that generalists often excel in various fields.