Positive Leadership

In this first episode of our special AI series, I have the pleasure of welcoming Peggy Johnson — a remarkable leader whose career spans mobile innovation, augmented reality, and now humanoid robotics. What struck me in our conversation is how deeply human her approach to technology has always been. Peggy grew up as one of fifteen children, in a family where every voice mattered. Later, she became one of the very few women studying engineering in the 1980s. These early experiences shaped her belief that inclusion is not optional — it is the foundation of innovation. Throughout her journey — from Qualcomm and Microsoft to Magic Leap and now Agility Robotics — Peggy has championed a simple but powerful idea: 👉 Technology must enhance human life, not replace it. In this episode, we explore: • how her upbringing and early career forged her inclusive leadership style • what she learned from AR, mixed reality, and the hype cycles around emerging technology • why humanoid robotics should serve society by addressing painful labour gaps • how responsible leaders can build human-centric, safe, and trustworthy technologies • what it will take to design a positive future for human–machine collaboration Peggy’s clarity, integrity, and optimism make this a fascinating conversation on the future of tech — grounded in humanity and purpose. At the end of the day, the question she leaves us with is essential: Will we lead AI and robotics toward a future that makes life better for everyone? Or will we let the technology lead us? I hope this episode inspires you as much as it inspired me.🎧 If you enjoyed this conversation, you may also like these episodes: Kevin Scott — Empowering people with AI: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/empowering-people-with-ai-with-kevin-scott  Laurence Tubiana – Le courage du changement : https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/fr-le-courage-du-changement-avec-laurence-tubiana  Dorie Clark — Reinventing yourself: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/reinventing-yourself-with-dorie-clark  Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

Pour célébrer les 10 ans de Live for Good, j’ai souhaité enregistrer un épisode très spécial du Positive Leadership Podcast. J’y reçois deux entrepreneurs que j’admire profondément et qui incarnent, chacun à leur manière, l’esprit de notre communauté : Anne-Sophie Thomas, fondatrice de Gestia Solidaire, et Marius Hamelot, cofondateur du Pavé®. Depuis dix ans, avec Live for Good, nous soutenons une nouvelle génération de jeunes qui entreprennent pour le bien commun. Anne-Sophie et Marius en sont deux magnifiques exemples : l’un transforme les déchets plastiques en matériaux innovants pour décarboner le secteur du bâtiment, l’autre réinvente l’accès au logement abordable pour les publics qui n’ont souvent aucune solution dans le parc privé. Avec eux, je reviens sur leurs déclics, leurs missions personnelles, les obstacles des débuts, la puissance de l’accompagnement, leurs modèles d’impact, leurs engagements citoyens et leur vision d’un leadership authentique et positif. Ils nous partagent aussi leurs plus grandes fiertés… et leur vision du futur, pour 2030 et au-delà. 🎧 Et pour prolonger l’inspiration, je vous recommande également : mon échange avec Laurence Tubiana, pour comprendre comment naissent les grandes transformations collectives : https://www.jpcourtois.com/fr/podcast/fr-le-courage-du-changement-avec-laurence-tubiana  l’épisode avec Daniel Goleman, sur les compétences émotionnelles au cœur du leadership moderne : https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/optimizing-your-performance-with-emotional-intelligence-with-daniel-goleman  ma discussion avec Lucie Basch, fondatrice de Too Good To Go, pour découvrir comment elle a transformé le gaspillage alimentaire en opportunité et construit une entreprise sociale rentable grâce à l’énergie positive : https://www.jpcourtois.com/fr/podcast/fr-construire-une-entreprise-pour-un-monde-meilleur-avec-lucie-baschet ma discussion avec Paul Hawken, qui explore comment la régénération peut devenir un nouveau modèle de société: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/paul-hawken----regenerating-the-world-one-idea-at-a-time Cet épisode est un hommage à dix années d’engagement, d’audace et d’impact partagé. Merci à Anne-Sophie, à Marius… et à toutes celles et ceux qui font vivre la mission de Live for Good depuis 10 ans. Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

In this episode, I speak with Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, global leadership expert, Thinkers50 Hall of Famer, and a pioneer of gender-balanced and age-ready organizations. We explore her unique journey across cultures, what she’s learned from advising leaders on four continents, and why cultural and contextual awareness is now essential for anyone leading across genders, generations — and even within couples. Avivah also shares why longevity will redefine careers, how companies can prepare for 100-year lives, and what positive leaders should focus on as AI, geopolitics, and demographics reshape the future of work. A sharp, inspiring conversation on building more balanced, human-centered organizations. If you enjoyed this episode, listen also to: A Defiant Optimist Transforming Global Finance (with Durreen Shahnaz): https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/a-defiant-optimist-transforming-global-finance-with-durreen-shahnaz  Not the End of the World (with Hannah Ritchie): https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/not-the-end-of-the-world-with-hannah-ritchie  Human centric AI (with Rana el Kaliouby): https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/human-centric-ai-with-rana-el-kaliouby   Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

From transforming how business thinks about nature, to mapping the first global plan to reverse global warming, Paul Hawken has spent his life showing us that regeneration isn’t just possible — it’s already happening. As the author of landmark books like The Ecology of Commerce, Natural Capitalism, Drawdown, and Regeneration, and now Carbon: The Book of Life, Paul has inspired generations of leaders to see the economy not as something separate from nature — but as part of it. In this powerful episode, we explore how his vision has evolved from early entrepreneurship to global systems thinking — and what it truly means to lead for life in an age of crisis. 💡 In this conversation, you’ll discover: How listening — to people, places, and the planet — became one of Paul’s most transformative leadership practices. What it takes to move from despair to agency, and how joy can become a regenerative force. How leaders can reframe carbon, biodiversity, and business as interconnected pathways to prosperity. The habits and mindsets that help sustain optimism after decades of environmental work. Throughout our dialogue, I was reminded of earlier conversations on this podcast — 👉 with Hannah Ritchie, who shared how data can fuel urgent optimism about the planet’s future: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/not-the-end-of-the-world-with-hannah-ritchie  👉 with John Elkington, whose Triple Bottom Line challenged business to account for people, planet, and profit: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/17471215-rethinking-capitalism-a-conversation-with-the-godfather-of-sustainability-with-john-elkington  👉 and with Paul Polman, who showed how courageous corporate leadership can accelerate the shift to a net-positive world: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/becoming-a-courageous-leader-with-paul-polman-ex-unilever-ceo-and-imagine-co-founderTogether, these conversations reveal a truth that Paul embodies: that regeneration begins not in policy or technology, but in perspective — in the decision to see life as our ultimate stakeholder. 🎧 Tune in to this episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast to hear Paul Hawken’s extraordinary journey — and his call to all of us to answer the question he once asked graduates: “What is the Earth asking of you?” Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

In a thought-provoking conversation, Rita McGrath, a strategy and innovation expert from Columbia Business School, shares insights on navigating uncertainty in leadership. She warns against the complacency of success and emphasizes the importance of discovery-driven learning. Rita discusses how small teams and a culture of continuous learning can enhance adaptability, revealing that transient advantage demands constant renewal. With anecdotes from Kodak and Adobe, she illustrates the need for leaders to embrace change and connect strategy with purpose.

In this new episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, I have the pleasure of welcoming Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman and former CEO of Schneider Electric. From his humble beginnings in rural France to leading one of the world’s most influential industrial companies, Jean-Pascal’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and purpose. For nearly two decades as CEO, he reimagined Schneider Electric’s role in society — turning sustainability from a side note into a core business driver, championing digital transformation, and fostering a culture of inclusion and empowerment. In our conversation, we explore the lessons he learned from a truly global career, the importance of empathy and cultural intelligence in leadership, and how businesses can reconcile growth with climate responsibility. Today, as Chairman, he continues to shape the company’s mission and inspire the next generation of leaders to put people and planet at the heart of performance. 🎧 I invite you to listen and discover how Jean-Pascal Tricoire embodies positive leadership — leading with vision, humility, and purpose. If you enjoyed this episode, you may also want to listen to: Paul Polman "Becoming a courageous leader: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/10311167-becoming-a-courageous-leader-with-paul-polman-ex-unilever-ceo-and-imagine-co-founder Erin Meyer “Unlocking the Secrets to Leading Across Borders: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/16477213-unlocking-the-secrets-to-leading-across-borders-with-erin-meyer  Indra Nooyi “Driving performance with purpose”: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/14002537-driving-performance-with-purpose-with-indra-nooyi  To explore all episodes of the Positive Leadership Podcast and dive deeper into my universe of ideas, stories, and resources, I invite you to visit www.jpcourtois.com.  Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

Gianpiero Petriglieri, a Professor of Organizational Behavior at INSEAD and former psychiatrist, dives into the heart of leadership and personal transformation. He discusses how childhood shaped his explorations of identity and belonging. Leadership, he argues, transcends skills and is deeply tied to emotional courage and authenticity. Gianpiero boldly claims that leadership is akin to love, emphasizing care and connection. He also calls for a reimagining of leadership education to prioritize community and experiential learning over traditional models.

Hermès Garanger, the youngest Western woman Lama and an experienced media professional, shares her fascinating journey from a Tibetan monastery to the television world. She discusses the integration of meditation and leadership, emphasizing the power of empathy and emotional intelligence in the workplace. Hermès highlights the importance of women's leadership while navigating societal pressures, and explores how mindfulness can empower youth. Her insights combine personal anecdotes with scientific research, offering a transformative perspective on spirituality and well-being.

In this special summer bonus episode, I want to offer you something a little different. This is a chance to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters. Leadership that goes beyond profit to create lasting impact is what drives change, and in this 40-minute episode, I’ve gathered powerful moments from past conversations on the Positive Leadership Podcast—voices that remind us how purpose-driven leadership can change the world. You’ll hear from leaders who have used their positions to elevate society, innovate for the future, and make a lasting difference for both people and the planet. From Fábio Barbosa’s transformation of corporate culture to Durreen Shahnaz’s pioneering work with the first Social Stock Exchange, from John Elkington’s early advocacy for sustainability to Laurence Tubiana’s critical role in securing the Paris Agreement—each story highlights how leadership with purpose can ignite change. I hope this episode inspires you to take time not just to relax this summer, but to also reconnect with your own leadership purpose. Thank you for being part of this Positive Leadership community, and enjoy the episode. Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

In this episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, we sit down with John Elkington, the trailblazing thinker who coined the concept of the Triple Bottom Line and helped shape the global sustainability agenda for over four decades. From his early influences to his latest provocations like Green Swans and Tickling Sharks, John shares his journey, his frameworks, and his vision for a future where business becomes a force for regeneration—not just resilience. What does it take to lead systemic change?  Why did he “recall” the Triple Bottom Line?  And how do we tickle the sharks—aka the world’s most powerful institutions—into shifting course? A powerful, thoughtful, and sometimes surprising conversation with one of the world’s most influential sustainability voices. 💬 If you enjoy this episode, you may also like: Becoming a courageous leader (with Paul Polman, ex-Unilever CEO and IMAGINE Co-Founder):  https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/10311167-becoming-a-courageous-leader-with-paul-polman-ex-unilever-ceo-and-imagine-co-founder  Not the End of the World (with Hannah Ritchie): https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/15848278-not-the-end-of-the-world-with-hannah-ritchie  [FR] Le courage du changement (avec Laurence Tubiana): https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/16090358-fr-le-courage-du-changement-avec-laurence-tubiana Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/