

Positive Leadership
Jean-Philippe Courtois
Positive Leadership has the power to change the world. By focusing on trust, empathy, authenticity and deep collaboration, leaders can energize their teams to achieve success for individuals, their organizations, and society as a whole. Yet, it remains relatively unknown outside positive psychology and neuroscience circles.Join Jean-Philippe Courtois, former member of the Microsoft senior leadership team alongside Satya Nadella and co-founder of Live for Good, as he brings Positive Leadership to life for anyone in a leadership capacity—both personally and professionally. With help from his guests, Jean-Philippe explores how purpose-driven leaders can generate the positive energy needed to drive business success, individual fulfillment, and societal impact across a range of industries—from technology and social enterprise to sports and coffee.Most importantly, you’ll learn practical tips to apply in your own life—so you can start making a positive difference in the world.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 27min
Jean-Pascal Tricoire: Turning Sustainability into a Growth Engine
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/

Sep 17, 2025 • 1h 35min
Leadership: a matter of love. With Gianpiero Petriglieri
In this episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, I have the great pleasure of welcoming Gianpiero Petriglieri, one of the world’s leading voices in leadership development. A professor of Organizational Behavior at INSEAD, Gianpiero’s work bridges psychology, management, and education. Trained first as a medical doctor and psychiatrist in Italy, he later reinvented himself as a leadership scholar and educator. His unique journey brings a rare depth to his teaching and research, which focus on how we lead, how we learn, and—most importantly—how we stay human in times of constant change. We explore together: His childhood influences and formative years in Sicily. The lessons he carried from psychiatry into leadership education. Why he believes leadership is not just about skills, but about “the inner work” of becoming yourself—on purpose. How bravery, humility, and emotional courage are reshaping leadership today. Why he describes leadership as “a kind of love”, and what that means for organizations navigating uncertainty and reinvention. Gianpiero’s voice is poetic, deeply human, and a powerful reminder that leadership is not about perfection or performance—but about presence, purpose, and connection. 🎧 If you enjoyed this conversation, you might also like these episodes: Amy Edmondson – How to fail well: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/how-to-fail-well-with-amy-edmondson Mellody Hobson – Mastering Your Destiny: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/mastering-your-destiny-with-mellody-hobson Reshma Saujani – The Power of Bravery: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/the-power-of-bravery-with-reshma-saujani And don’t forget: please rate and review the podcast on your favorite platform. Your support helps us reach even more leaders who want to create impact with meaning and humanity. 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/

Sep 3, 2025 • 1h 29min
[FR] Du monastère à la télévision : le voyage d’Hermès Garanger
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.

Aug 1, 2025 • 51min
Purpose Beyond Profit (Summer Bonus Episode)
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/

Jul 9, 2025 • 1h 32min
Rethinking Capitalism: A Conversation with the Godfather of Sustainability (with John Elkington)
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/

Jun 25, 2025 • 1h 1min
How to Unlock Your Greatness by Doing Hard Things (with Michael Bungay Stanier)
Back by popular demand! 🎧 In this new conversation, Michael Bungay Stanier—author of The Coaching Habit, The Advice Trap, and How to Begin—returns to the podcast to go deeper than ever before.With his signature mix of warmth, clarity, and wit, MBS and Jean-Philippe Courtois explore:💡 How to lead with less control and more curiosity 🔥 Why “being lazy” is a radical act of trust and growth 🎯 The difference between SMART goals… and worthy goals 🧠 What neuroscience teaches us about emotional connection, change, and resilience 🌍 And how to serve something greater than yourself—while letting go of controlThis episode isn’t just for coaches—it’s for anyone navigating meaningful transformation, in life or at work.🎧 Listen now.More inspiration? Check out these related episodes:- Dr. Caroline Leaf – on rewiring your brain for clarity, emotional regulation & growth: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/15018482-managing-your-mind-with-dr-caroline-leaf - Pete Carroll – Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks, on Learning to ‘always compete’: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/9268299-learning-to-always-compete-with-pete-carroll-seattle-seahawks-head-coach- Charles Duhigg on The Power of Habit: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/16315344-the-power-of-habit-with-charles-duhiggSubscribe 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/

Jun 11, 2025 • 1h 30min
[FR] Consommer autrement, pour changer le monde (avec Nicolas Chabanne)
Et si le pouvoir de transformer notre système alimentaire se trouvait… dans notre caddie ? Dans cet épisode du Positive Leadership Podcast, je reçois Nicolas Chabanne, fondateur de C’est qui le Patron ?!, la "marque du consommateur" qui a redonné du pouvoir à des millions de citoyens pour mieux rémunérer les producteurs. Avec honnêteté et conviction, Nicolas revient sur son parcours atypique, son engagement en faveur d’une consommation solidaire, et sa volonté de faire de l’agriculture une grande cause nationale. Ensemble, nous abordons : Comment les consommateurs peuvent soutenir les agriculteurs en orientant leurs choix d’achat, Pourquoi il a cédé toutes ses actions à une fondation pour préserver l’indépendance du projet, Le sens du leadership collectif et les défis d’une économie plus juste. Une conversation qui réconcilie valeurs, action concrète et espoir. 🎙 À écouter aussi : Albert Moukheiber – Savoir déjouer les pièges de son cerveau ? https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/15768633-fr-savoir-dejouer-les-pieges-de-son-cerveau-avec-albert-moukheiber Florent Menegaux – I’m Michelin: making every individual matter https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/16252992-i-m-michelin-making-every-individual-matter-with-florent-menegaux Boyan Slat – Leading an ocean clean-up https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/13329790-leading-an-ocean-clean-up-with-boyan-slat 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/

May 28, 2025 • 1h 23min
Leading with Purpose: Profit, People, and the Planet (with Fabio Barbosa)
In this episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, I have the pleasure of speaking with Fabio Barbosa, one of Brazil’s most respected business leaders and a true pioneer in purpose-driven leadership. From transforming Banco Real into a sustainability leader to his work at Natura &Co—one of the world’s largest B Corps—Fabio has consistently shown that it’s not only possible but essential to align profit with positive impact. We talked about his deep-rooted belief that business must serve society, his vision for regeneration in the Amazon, and the power of diversity in improving decision-making. 🎧 In this conversation, we cover: The early experiences that shaped Fabio’s leadership values How he brought social and environmental priorities into the heart of banking Natura’s bold commitment to forest preservation and community empowerment in the Amazon What it means to be a B Corp at scale—and how it changes the way you lead Why diversity drives better business decisions And his message for the next generation of positive leaders I left this conversation full of energy and inspiration—and I’m sure you will too. If you enjoyed this episode, I invite you to listen to: Laurence Tubiana, on building global climate alliances and leading with purpose: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/16090358-fr-le-courage-du-changement-avec-laurence-tubiana Daniel Goleman, on the power of emotional intelligence in leadership: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/14940410-optimizing-your-performance-with-emotional-intelligence-with-daniel-goleman Jeff Raikes, on long-term thinking and transforming systems for good: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/16177556-special-100th-episode-a-journey-of-leadership-and-giving-back-with-jeff-raikes 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/

May 14, 2025 • 1h 20min
A Defiant Optimist Transforming Global Finance (with Durreen Shahnaz)
This week on the Positive Leadership Podcast, I amjoined by Professor Durreen Shahnaz, a pioneering social entrepreneur, impact investor, and relentless advocate for women’s empowerment. From growing up in a post-war Bangladesh to becoming the first Bangladeshi woman on Wall Street, Durreen’s journey defies conventions. She left investment banking to join Grameen Bank, and went on to found Impact Investment Exchange (IIX)—home to the world’s first social stock exchange and the groundbreaking Women’s Livelihood Bond. In this powerful conversation, Durreen shares: How her upbringing shaped her belief in using finance for good What it means to be a defiant optimist in a system built for exclusion The bold vision behind IIX and the practical ways it's transforming lives across the Global South How young leaders can challenge the status quo and lead with purpose Durreen’s work has shifted the paradigm of global finance—proving that profit and purpose can coexist, and that real change comes from the margins. 🎙️ Want more inspiring stories of courageous leadership and positive change? Check out these standout episodes: Indra Nooyi – Driving performance with purpose: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/14002537-driving-performance-with-purpose-with-indra-nooyi Hannah Ritchie – Not the End of the World: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/15848278-not-the-end-of-the-world-with-hannah-ritchie Daniel Goleman – Optimizing your performance with emotional intelligence: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/14940410-optimizing-your-performance-with-emotional-intelligence-with-daniel-goleman 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/

Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 9min
Leading with Purpose Across Borders (with Barbara Martin Coppola)
Barbara Martin Coppola, former CEO of Decathlon, joins us for a powerful conversation on what it means to lead with purpose in today’s fast-changing world. From her early career in tech at Google and Samsung to leading IKEA's digital transformation and then guiding Decathlon through cultural and strategic reinvention, Barbara shares the lessons she’s learned across continents, industries, and leadership roles. In this episode, we explore: How to navigate and inspire across cultures What it takes to transform a legacy brand into a global innovation powerhouse The mindset needed to embed sustainability and impact into business strategy Her personal leadership principles shaped by experiences in 8 countries 🎧 If you enjoy this episode, you might also like: Jesper Brodin (CEO of Ingka/IKEA) - Learning to embrace risk: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/13835787-learning-to-embrace-risk-with-jesper-brodin Hubert Joly (former CEO of Best Buy) - Libérer la magie humaine pour réussir: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/10861128-fr-liberer-la-magie-humaine-pour-reussir-avec-hubert-joly Whitney Johnson: Growing through personal disruption: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/10797020-growing-through-personal-disruption-with-whitney-johnson Tune in for a masterclass in global leadership, reinvention, and impact. ▶️ Listen now on your favorite podcast platform. 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/