
Leadership Next
Something big is happening in the world of business. CEOs increasingly say their jobs have become less about giving orders, more about inspiring, motivating, setting a north star. They are taking the lead on big issues like climate change, worker retraining, and diversity and inclusion. They are under pressure from employees, customers and investors not just to turn a profit, but to prove they are doing good in the world. And in the process, they are fundamentally redefining the relationship between business and society. Join Fortune Executive Editorial Director Diane Brady and Editorial Director Kristin Stoller as they engage global leaders on the insights, experiences and issues you need to know.
Latest episodes

Feb 4, 2025 • 26min
A Deep Dive On The Relationship Between Business And Trust
Trust is the lifeblood of business. That makes Edelman's annual Trust Barometer a must-read for leaders. This week's guest is Richard Edelman, the CEO of global communications firm Edelman. This year marks Edelman's 25th year doing the Trust Barometer. Richard Edelman talks to hosts Diane Brady and Kristin Stoller about why trust is more important today than ever, and gives an update on which sectors are gaining or losing on the trust scale. The conversation also highlighted a generational divide around trust, and touched on the importance of business leaders working together where possible to help address some of society’s most intractable issues.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

Jan 28, 2025 • 24min
Why AI Is Fueling Optimism Among CEOs For A Strong 2025
2025 promises to be the year of AI for global business. The change will go beyond applications like the popular chat tools that can answer questions and sort data. For Deloitte US CEO Jason Girzadas, this week's guest on Leadership Next, AI is front of mind for him and the CEOs he speaks with. Girzadas believes 2025 is the year of the full-time digital assistant, with advancements like Agentic AI deploying across a range of functions, driving both efficiency and growth. Along with hosts Diane Brady and Kristin Stoller, Girzadas also discussed the shift from proof of concept to practical implementations, and how AI is reshaping workforce dynamics and enabling legacy brands to stay competitive.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

Dec 17, 2024 • 38min
Marc Benioff Weighs In On The AI-Powered Future
Dive into the transformative world of AI as Marc Benioff discusses how it's reshaping software and workforce dynamics. Discover Agentforce, Salesforce's bold venture into AI tools for enhanced business efficiency. Learn about the importance of mentorship in leadership, drawing inspiration from iconic figures. Explore how AI influences urban planning and the necessity for agile leadership. Benioff also emphasizes the essence of core values in innovation and the importance of self-awareness in personal growth.

Dec 3, 2024 • 39min
How Premium Luxury Brand Coach Has Built A Moat For Parent Company Tapestry
If purses are your bag, chances are you're familiar with the classic luxurious silhouettes that made Coach into a global powerhouse brand. The luxe leather goods are but one brand owned by parent company Tapestry, which also has Kate Spade and bootmaker Stuart Weitzman in its portfolio. Joanne Crevoiserat is Tapestry's CEO and this week's guest on Leadership Next. She talks to Diane about what luxury means in 2024, how Gen Z shoppers are sending shock waves through retail, and about AI in fashion.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

Nov 19, 2024 • 36min
What SAP CEO Christian Klein Learned Going From Intern to CEO
AI promises to upend almost every industry in the coming years. SAP, the German software behemoth, is no exception, although the company has already been investing heavily in AI for more than a decade. On this week’s episode of Leadership Next, Diane talks to Christian Klein, the 44-year-old CEO of SAP. Klein grew up at SAP, starting as an intern, and spent years climbing the ranks before being named solo CEO in 2020. The wide-ranging interview covered the need for regulation in the field of AI, the intersection between sustainability and technology, and SAP’s culture.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

Nov 12, 2024 • 35min
Eli Lilly CEO On Why Making New Drugs Is Hard, Takes So Long, And Costs So Much
Pharmaceutical companies are often the poster children for what's wrong with the health care system. New drugs can take decades of development and cost billions of dollars in R&D, and once they clear the FDA, consumers are too often met with sticker shock and high prices for their meds. Dave Ricks, CEO of drugmaker Eli Lilly, this week's guest on Leadership Next, says drug development is very hard—so hard that most of the thousands of Lilly employees who work on R&D for the company may never work on a drug that's actually released. Diane spoke to Ricks about how AI will impact drug development, why health care shouldn't be a political football, and the company's smash-hit obesity drug Tirzepatide.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

Oct 29, 2024 • 31min
Why Malcolm Gladwell Just Took 'Revenge' On His Own Book
In 2000, Malcolm Gladwell published The Tipping Point, identifying the key players and small, seemingly inconsequential decisions that together can make ideas, products, and behaviors spread like a virus. Gladwell was hailed as a guru whose concepts were embraced as a how-to guide for marketers and policymakers. In his latest book, Revenge of the Tipping Point, Gladwell revisits the themes from his original book to examine how they’ve held up and also been manipulated to create negative impacts. In this week’s episode of Leadership Next, Diane Brady speaks to Gladwell about his perspective on The Tipping Point today, as well as on topics from leadership to the decline of local news.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

Oct 22, 2024 • 30min
Inside Nextdoor's Next Chapter
How do you create an online community that can foster in-person connections? That's what Nextdoor, the social network for neighbors, has been trying to do since its 2008 founding. This week's guest on Leadership Next is current—and former—CEO Nirav Tolia. Tolia, a longtime entrepreneur, talks to Diane about returning to the company he cofounded, what people gain by getting to know their neighbors, and what it's like to be on Shark Tank.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

Oct 15, 2024 • 30min
How PG&E Is Charting A New Course Post-Bankruptcy
When Patti Poppe took over as CEO of the massive California utility Pacific Gas & Electric in 2021, the company had gone through a very rough period. It was found liable for multiple California wildfires, dealt with a bankruptcy, and paid billions of dollars in settlements to fire victims. Poppe says the size and importance of the opportunity at PG&E is what drew her to the turnaround. On this week’s episode of Leadership Next, Poppe, the first woman to lead two separate Fortune 500 companies, talks to Diane about PG&E’s progress towards going carbon-free, its massive safety overhaul, and how love has shaped her leadership philosophy.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

Oct 8, 2024 • 30min
How T-Mobile Conquered The Mobile Market
When T-Mobile burst on the scene in 2002, the wireless market was already saturated with big players like Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T. To make inroads, the company became “The Uncarrier,” famous for customer-centric contracts with better pricing and more user-friendly terms and features. Twenty-two years later, T-Mobile today is one of the biggest telecom companies in the world. On this week’s episode of Leadership Next, Diane speaks to CEO Mike Sievert, who took over for John Legere in 2020. Sievert, a longtime technology executive, has interests that go way beyond wireless. He’s also a pilot. Topics covered include innovation in the wireless space, how AI will change telecom, and what happens when a company goes from startup to incumbent.Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.