The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving

Marcus Fontoura, Microsoft's CTO for Azure Core, has had a storied career through major tech shifts at IBM, Yahoo, and Google. In this talk, he demystifies AI, countering doomsday narratives by explaining it as a powerful prediction tool rather than a self-aware entity. He warns that while mechanical jobs are at risk, experienced professionals will be amplified, not replaced. Marcus emphasizes the importance of human agency in navigating tech's impact and offers advice for leaders to embrace AI without fear, urging them to influence technology rather than be influenced by it.

In this episode, Dr. Julia Garcia explains why hope is a habit and why it is critical for us to remove what blocks hope. She describes what happens inside teams when leaders lose hope, including "the culture that creates, the burnout that leads to, the discouragement and defeat." Julia shows how unprocessed emotions drain leaders even when they appear high-functioning. "If we emotionally feel disconnected, we're going to start looking elsewhere or we're going to end up in a place of hopelessness where maybe we completely shut down in our career and now we're just a robot." One of the most memorable insights is the use of the word "maybe" to interrupt destructive thought cycles. She explains: "Maybe your next idea is the one that's going to change the game for you." "Maybe that failure wasn't a failure. It was a setup." "Maybe you have everything you need right now." Julia also demonstrates how holding unspoken emotions limits our capacity. "We can function by holding all these things in emotionally… but we actually aren't discovering what we're truly capable of because we're not fully available." Julia shares her own experiences with failure and rebuilding: "None of this was a waste. I can repurpose this." and "Maybe I can learn from this. Maybe I can come back stronger." We also discuss AI. Julia warns: "AI is increasing productivity, but it is decreasing the personal humanity." and "We need people in our problem solving. We need people in our products." She closes with the central message of her book: "Hope is a habit… it is the single greatest predictor of success and health." Get Dr. Julia's book, The 5 Habits of Hope, here: https://shorturl.at/rjpNF Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift

In this conversation, Anthony Vinci explains that "AI is going to be able to do more and more of what people do." He describes a future where "AI is going to get better and better at doing what people do," and highlights that leaders must understand "how do you figure out what AI is good at and then implement it to do that" and "how do you manage your workforce so that they are able to partner with that AI." He warns that leaders often "overestimate what AI can do and underestimate it at the same time," and stresses the importance of "getting that balance right." As he shared, "sometimes they can sense that, oh, AI can do anything," while others say "it will never do that," and both assumptions can mislead decision making. He offers direct guidance for staying relevant: "The number one thing I would recommend is literally to just go use AI for thirty minutes a day." He urges leaders to "push the envelope" and "see where the holes are, what it won't do." Vinci describes how workflow—not just technology—defines whether AI succeeds. Implementation requires understanding "the process and the workflow," recognizing that AI adoption "is going to be small parts," and building "those pieces over time." He explains the subtle dangers of influence, noting that AI can "change your mind" without you realizing it. The threat is not dramatic deepfakes but "what if it just changes one word?" or "an adjective and makes something seem slightly different." To stay resilient, he urges people to "think like a spy," recognize that "there might be a bad actor on the other side," and build habits of "triangulating information." He emphasizes cognitive agility: "We still need to learn to do it so that you can think about mathematics and understand mathematics," and he connects this to thinking and writing in an AI-driven world. Even with powerful tools, "you're still going to have to keep yourself sharp." Vinci closes by discussing perspective, explaining how "living abroad" showed him how much people assume about how the world works. He encourages listeners to embrace the belief that "maybe this assumption that you have in life is wrong," because "the difference between being okay or good at something you do and being great is this ability to take a step back and question whatever you see in the world." Get Anthony's book, The Fourth Intelligence Revolution, here: https://shorturl.at/rjpNF Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift

Cas Holman, founder of Heroes Will Rise and former designer for LEGO and Disney Imagineering, advocates for the power of play in creativity and resilience. She emphasizes that play is essential for innovation and coping with uncertainty, not a distraction from productivity. Cas discusses how adults often suppress play due to societal norms, yet free play can enhance flexibility and communication. She also warns against fully outsourcing creativity to AI, urging listeners to embrace curiosity and reframe success to unlock deeper connections.

Dr. Brennan Spiegel, a physician-scientist and professor at UCLA, discusses how our relationship with gravity influences health. He explains that illnesses often stem from mismanaging gravity, affecting digestion and mental health. Posture can enhance gut function and even predict longevity. Brennan also delves into how childhood trauma can create a sense of being 'pulled down' and links balance, grip strength, and social interactions to overall well-being. His insights on the interplay of gravity and health are both eye-opening and practical.

Bill George, former CEO of Medtronic and Harvard Business School Executive Fellow, shares insights on authentic leadership during chaos. He stresses the importance of self-awareness and courage over traditional skills in today’s turbulent environment. George emphasizes the need for leaders to know their True North and highlights the value of purpose over position. He outlines five critical traits for thriving in crisis: facing reality, staying true to values, and engaging with your team. George also discusses how personal stories shape leadership and the significance of transparency in building trust.

Raj Sisodia, a marketing professor and co-founder of the Conscious Capitalism movement, explores how businesses can become forces for good. He critiques mainstream marketing's harmful effects and outlines four pillars of Conscious Capitalism: purpose, stakeholders, conscious leadership, and caring culture. Sisodia also discusses how AI can enhance supportive business models and shares inspiring stories, like that of Bob Chapman, who prioritized people over profit, demonstrating that caring organizations can thrive.

Byron Loflin, Global Head of Board Advisory at Nasdaq and co-author of 'CEO Ready,' discusses what truly makes an effective CEO beyond just stellar performance. He reveals that boards seek humility, curiosity, and genuine relationships. Loflin shares a lesson from Ronald Reagan on the importance of interest in others and warns that unchecked ego can derail leadership. He highlights the necessity for aspiring CEOs to cultivate key skills and emphasizes the urgency for leaders to understand AI's relevance in today's rapidly evolving landscape.

Harvard economist John Campbell, co-author of Fixed, dives into the pitfalls of our financial system that disadvantage everyday investors. He uncovers how even educated individuals mismanage mortgages, housing choices, and retirement savings, compounding inequality. Campbell highlights the detrimental impact of not refinancing and the misconception of real estate as guaranteed wealth. He shares actionable advice for high earners on leveraging employer matches and simplifying investment choices while cautioning against the blind use of technology in finance.

Phil Gilbert, former General Manager of Design at IBM and author of "Irresistible Change," shares insights from leading a massive cultural transformation. He discusses how design thinking reshaped IBM's approach to product development and customer engagement. Phil emphasizes the importance of empathy and direct communication with customers. He also reveals strategies for scaling change across a vast organization while managing internal politics. Gilbert argues that viewing change as a product can help foster a culture open to innovation.