Great Leadership With Jacob Morgan The Future of Work

How do you maintain success without letting it go to your head? In today’s episode, Maurice Ashley, the first African-American Chess Grandmaster, dives into the fine line between confidence and humility and why it’s crucial for leaders to strike just the right balance. Maurice kicks off the conversation with a comparison to basketball teams that lose focus after gaining a significant lead, illustrating how easy it is to falter when overconfidence sets in. Maurice knows firsthand the pitfalls of overconfidence and how it can lead to mistakes in both chess and business. He shares a compelling story about a chess game where his overconfidence nearly led to a loss, driving home the importance of staying grounded. He also explains how the principles of evaluating positions in chess can be applied to business decision-making processes, stressing the importance of training, study, and the right attitude to improve evaluation skills. ________________ Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Chess Grandmasters are like master strategists, meticulously planning every move. In this episode, Maurice Ashley, the first African-American Chess Grandmaster, shares how the principles of elite-level chess can transform your business and leadership strategies. Learn how to cultivate the mental endurance and focus necessary for success, and why embracing the mindset of an “advanced beginner” can lead to continuous improvement. Maurice also discusses the dangers of overconfidence, the importance of humility, and how strategic risk-taking can pay off. Tune in to uncover the secrets of thinking like a Grandmaster and applying these insights to achieve success in your professional life.


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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

You’ve been handed an important project at work, but something goes wrong, and now you have to face your boss to explain what happened. This scenario happens too often at work, leaving many wondering how to handle it without damaging their reputation. In this episode, we explore the right way to talk about mistakes at work, a crucial skill for career growth. You will learn how to effectively communicate errors, gain their leader’s respect, and turn mistakes into opportunities for professional development. By understanding the importance of leading with vulnerability and demonstrating accountability, you’ll be better equipped to handle setbacks and advance in your career.


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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

In this episode, Rachel Cooke, former HR Director at American Express and host of the Modern Mentor podcast, shares her framework to activate teams. She introduces the four pillars: Deliver, Develop, Connect, and Thrive, and provides actionable strategies for leaders. Rachel shares stories about simplifying work processes, continuous learning, and connecting employees to company goals. She emphasizes the importance of promoting well-being and recognition, with practical tips like flexible work hours and personalized recognition to boost morale and productivity. This episode is filled with real-life examples to help leaders drive their teams to success. ________________ Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

The pandemic has accelerated the shift from lifelong employment to demands for purpose, safety, and inclusion, creating new challenges for organizations. In this episode, Rachel Cooke, former HR Director at American Express and host of the Modern Mentor podcast, highlights significant workforce trends and evolving employee expectations. She tells personal stories, like her friend who commutes an hour each way only to sit in a phone booth for Zoom calls, illustrating the absurdities of some hybrid work policies. Rachel critiques California’s Assembly Bill 2751, arguing it tackles the wrong issues of burnout and emphasizes the need for genuine DEI practices beyond quotas. She also explores why many leadership development programs fail, pointing to organizational dysfunction and lack of practical application, and shares strategies for creating more effective training. This episode is packed with insights for leaders looking to boost team performance and adapt to modern workforce demands.


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Did you know a little fear in leadership can be beneficial? In today’s Leadership Spark, we’ll explore the controversial yet intriguing role of fear in effective leadership. We’ll also talk about the distinctions between healthy and unhealthy fear, how it ensures accountability and helps maintain high performance standards, and practical examples from daily life and notable leaders like Elon Musk and Steve Jobs, whose success may partly involve being slightly feared. This discussion will help you understand how a balanced approach to fear can enhance authority, motivate high-quality work, and drive continuous self-improvement.
 
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/