Positive Leadership

Jean-Philippe Courtois
  • 4.9 (15)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

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.

  1. Running From and Running Toward: Rewriting the Stories We Inherit with Nicholas Thompson

    11H AGO

    Running From and Running Toward: Rewriting the Stories We Inherit with Nicholas Thompson

    What if the stories you inherited about who you’re supposed to become—from your family, your industry, your own fears—are the very narratives holding you back?  In this powerful episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, I welcome Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, a visionary media executive who has led transformations at The New Yorker and WIRED, and an extraordinary marathoner who set an American record in the 50K at age 45.  But Nick’s story isn’t just about professional success or athletic achievement. It’s about the conscious choice to rewrite the narrative we inherit.  Nick grew up watching his brilliant father—a Rhodes Scholar and academic star—whose life eventually “cracked up” due to alcoholism and personal struggles. Around Nick’s 40th birthday, his father warned him: “All men’s lives fall apart at this age.” That was the script Nick had inherited. A story of inevitable decline.  But Nick refused to live that story.  In our conversation, we explore:  🏃 The Running Ground – How Nick used running as therapy to honor his father while writing a different ending (achieving a 2:29 marathon at 44)  📰 Truth in the Age of Misinformation – Leading The Atlantic through a crisis of trust, deepfakes, and algorithmic manipulation  🤖 AI as Editorial Tool vs. Existential Threat – Why he says AI is “the best tool we’ve ever had” but could also “completely obliterate us”  👨‍👦 Inherited Patterns – Recognizing generational trauma and consciously choosing a different path  ⚖️ ️ The Church-State Separation – Why editorial independence matters more than ever  💪 Defying Aging – Getting faster with age and what it teaches about leadership limits  Nick’s profound insight: “I run because of my father. Running connects me to my father; it reminds me of my father; and it gives me a way to avoid becoming my father.”  That sentence captures everything: honoring where we come from while consciously choosing who we become.  Whether you’re navigating generational patterns, leading through uncertainty, or simply asking yourself what story you want to live—this conversation will challenge and inspire you.  Key Themes: Narrative identity, media leadership, AI ethics, generational healing, resilience, editorial integrity, running as therapy, conscious choice  🎧 Related Episodes You’ll Love: -   Herminia Ibarra: Growing through personal disruption https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/10210926 Caroline Leaf: Managing your mind - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/15018482 Angela Duckworth: The power of grit - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/14677055 Peggy Johnson: Leading a human-centric future of AI - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/18329548 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/

    1h 28m
  2. [FR] Ne jamais rien lâcher avec Moussa Camara

    FEB 4

    [FR] Ne jamais rien lâcher avec Moussa Camara

    Dans ce nouvel épisode du Positive Leadership Podcast, j'ai l'honneur d'accueillir Moussa Camara, un entrepreneur visionnaire et un bâtisseur de ponts infatigable qui redessine le visage de l'entrepreneuriat en France. Fondateur de l'association Les Déterminés, Moussa a consacré sa vie à une conviction simple mais puissante : le talent est partout, même si les opportunités ne le sont pas. Sa mission ? Libérer le potentiel des entrepreneurs issus des quartiers populaires et des zones rurales en les connectant aux réseaux du monde des affaires. Mais pour comprendre l'homme, il faut revenir au début de son parcours. Tout a commencé à Cergy-Pontoise, dans le quartier "Croix-Petit". Enfant d'une famille nombreuse originaire du Mali, c'est là qu'il a lancé sa toute première "entreprise" : un service de retour de caddies au supermarché local. Une école de l'humilité et du travail. Dans notre conversation, nous plongeons au cœur de son incroyable résilience. Nous discutons sans filtre de la manière dont il a transformé l'échec de sa première entreprise (logistique et télécoms) en un tremplin pour bâtir quelque chose de plus grand. C'est une véritable masterclass sur le "Grit" (la niaque) — cette combinaison de passion et de persévérance dont j'avais discuté avec Angela Duckworth. Enfin, nous regardons vers l'avenir. Ensemble, nous explorons comment construire des écosystèmes qui ressemblent enfin à notre société. Moussa partage sa vision ambitieuse avec le lancement de Time4, un fonds d'investissement créé en partenariat avec Daphni, HEC et Live for Good, conçu pour financer ces entrepreneurs trop souvent ignorés qui construisent pourtant l'économie de demain. Dans cet épisode, nous abordons : Les Racines : Son enfance à Cergy et les valeurs de travail ancrées par sa famille et son premier job de caddies.Les Tripes de l'Entrepreneur : Comment rebondir après la faillite et transformer la colère en énergie positive.Le Mouvement : La création des Déterminés pour faire le pont entre "la rue" et les conseils d'administration.L'ADN : Pourquoi "Ne jamais rien lâcher" est une compétence de survie vitale. Le Futur (Time4) : Notre ambition commune pour financer l'excellence, d'où qu'elle vienne.Moussa nous rappelle que le Leadership Positif ne consiste pas seulement à gravir les échelons, mais à construire l'ascenseur pour les autres. 🎧 Si vous avez aimé cette conversation, découvrez aussi : Angela Duckworth (Sur le pouvoir du "Grit") : Lien Fred Swaniker (La prochaine génération de leaders africains) : LienPierre Dubuc (L'éducation pour tous avec OpenClassrooms) : LienSubscribe 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/

    1h 34m
  3. "Controlled Chaos": How to Scale Innovation Without Killing Culture with Katarina Berg

    JAN 21

    "Controlled Chaos": How to Scale Innovation Without Killing Culture with Katarina Berg

    In this new episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, I’m delighted to welcome Katarina Berg, a leader who has redefined HR and culture for the digital age.  As the long-time CHRO of Spotify and now Chief People Officer at On, Katarina has been at the helm of some of the most intense “hyper-growth” stories in tech history. But her journey started long before boardrooms—growing up sailing the world and being homeschooled on the ocean taught her a vital lesson: You cannot control the waves, you can only adjust your sails.  In our conversation, we dive deep into her philosophy of “Controlled Chaos,” a bold approach that challenges the traditional command-and-control models of corporate leadership.  Together, we explore a fascinating reality: What happens when you trust your employees enough to let them work from anywhere—not just as a perk, but as a business strategy? Katarina reveals how the “Work From Anywhere” policy at Spotify unlocked talent globally, and how she is now applying similar principles of trust and speed at On.  But the real revolution isn't just about policy. It is about connection. We discuss her famous “Walk and Talks”—solving complex business problems on mountain trails rather than in meeting rooms—and how staying close to nature makes us better decision-makers.  In this episode, we cover:  The Origin Story: How a childhood spent navigating high seas shaped her resilience and adaptability as a leader. The Philosophy: Why “Controlled Chaos” is essential for innovation, and why rigidity is the enemy of growth. The Strategy: How to implement a “Work From Anywhere” culture that actually works (and isn’t just hybrid theater). The Method: The power of the “Walk and Talk” to break down barriers and foster deep human connection. The Future: Her advice for the leaders of 2030: “Dare to be bold, lead with your heart, and always lift others as you rise.” Katarina reminds us that Positive Leadership is not about choosing between high performance and human care. It is about realizing that you cannot have one without the other.  I hope you’ll enjoy this energizing conversation with Katarina Berg.  🎧 If you enjoyed this conversation, you may also like these episodes:  Hubert Joly: On “The Human Magic” and leading with purpose: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/fr-liberer-la-magie-humaine-pour-reussir-avec-hubert-joly Jesper Brodin: Learning to embrace risk at IKEA: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/learning-to-embrace-risk-with-jesper-brodin Kathleen Hogan: On building a people-first culture at Microsoft: https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/empowering-people-and-organizations-with-kathleen-hogan 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/

    1h 28m
  4. Reimagining Education in the Age of AI with MacKenzie Price

    JAN 7

    Reimagining Education in the Age of AI with MacKenzie Price

    In this final episode of our special series dedicated to AI, I’m delighted to welcome MacKenzie Price, a Stanford-trained psychologist turned education revolutionary and co-founder of Alpha School.  We often hear that AI might disrupt education, but MacKenzie is proving that it can actually save it. After her own daughter told her that school was “boring,” MacKenzie didn’t just complain—she built a radical new solution from scratch.  In our conversation, we dive deep into the Alpha School model, a bold approach that challenges the industrial “factory model” of education we’ve accepted for a century.  Together, we explore a fascinating reality: What happens when you use adaptive AI to handle core academic learning? MacKenzie reveals that her students achieve mastery in just two hours a day.  But the real revolution isn't the speed. It is what happens with the rest of the time. We discuss how this efficiency frees up space for what makes us truly human: “Life Skills.” From public speaking and financial literacy to resilience and high-impact collaboration, we explore how to raise children who are not just good test-takers, but changemakers.  In this episode, we cover:  The Origin Story: How a moment of frustration sparked a movement to rethink K-12 education. The Mechanics: How AI tutors allow teachers to stop being "lecturers" and start being "Guides" and mentors. The "2-Hour" Paradox: How accelerating academic learning actually creates more room for creativity, connection, and depth. Agency & Leadership: How to give children the autonomy to own their learning journey. The Future: What the world looks like when we raise a generation of purpose-driven, self-aware leaders. MacKenzie reminds us that Positive Leadership is about having the courage to rethink systems that no longer serve us. Whether you are a parent, an educator, or a leader interested in the future of human potential, this conversation offers a blueprint for a world where technology amplifies our humanity rather than replacing it.  I hope you’ll enjoy this visionary conversation with MacKenzie Price.  🎧 If you enjoyed this conversation, you may also like these episodes:  Peggy Johnson: Leading a Human-Centric Future of AI and Robotics https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/peggy-johnson-leading-a-human-centric-future-of-ai-and-robotics  Human centric AI (with Rana el Kaliouby): https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/human-centric-ai-with-rana-el-kaliouby  Revolutionizing Education with Sal Khan https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/revolutionizing-education-with-sal-khan 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/

    1h 25m
  5. Building Trust in AI: Leadership, Governance, and Human Values with Navrina Singh

    12/24/2025

    Building Trust in AI: Leadership, Governance, and Human Values with Navrina Singh

    In this episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, second edit ofthis special series dedicacted to AI, I’m delighted to welcome Navrina Singh, Founder and CEO of Credo AI, and one of the most influential voices shaping the future of responsible artificial intelligence.  Navrina is a technology leader with nearly two decades of experience at Qualcomm and Microsoft, and today she stands at the crossroads of AI, leadership, and public policy. She advises governments and global institutions on AI governance, serves on the U.S. National AI Advisory Committee, works with the United Nations and the OECD, and was recently named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI.  In our conversation, Navrina shares her remarkable journey — from growing up in India in a family that instilled resilience and courage, to moving to the United States at 19, and eventually becoming a global advocate for trust, accountability, and human values in AI.  We explore the pivotal moment when she realized that AI systems were making women and other groups “invisible,” and how that awakening shaped her mission. Together, we discuss why the real risks of AI are not about the power of the technology itself, but about the absence of governance, measurement, and responsibility.  Navrina also explains why she founded Credo AI in the middle of a global pandemic, and how her company is helping organizations turn AI ethics into practical, measurable, and auditable systems of trust. We dive into the evolution of global AI governance, the importance of diversity in AI development, and the leadership mindsets required to thrive in an AI-driven world.  Throughout the episode, Navrina reminds us that AI will inevitably reflect the values of those who build it, and that positive leadership — grounded in empathy, accountability, and courage — is essential if we want AI to truly serve humanity.  This conversation is for leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and anyone who believes technology must be guided by purpose, trust, and human-centered values.  I hope you’ll enjoy this deep and inspiring conversation with Navrina Singh.  To extend the conversation, I invite you to revisit three previous episodes of the Positive Leadership Podcast:   Peggy Johnson: Leading a Human-Centric Future of AI and Robotics https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/peggy-johnson-leading-a-human-centric-future-of-ai-and-robotics  Human centric AI (with Rana el Kaliouby): https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/human-centric-ai-with-rana-el-kaliouby  How to fail well (with Amy Edmondson): https://www.jpcourtois.com/podcast/how-to-fail-well-with-amy-edmondson  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/

    1h 15m
  6. Peggy Johnson: Leading a Human-Centric Future of AI and Robotics

    12/10/2025

    Peggy Johnson: Leading a Human-Centric Future of AI and Robotics

    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/

    1h 22m
  7. [FR] 10 ans de Live for Good : une nouvelle génération de leaders à impact. Avec Anne-Sophie Thomas et Marius Hamelot

    11/26/2025

    [FR] 10 ans de Live for Good : une nouvelle génération de leaders à impact. Avec Anne-Sophie Thomas et Marius Hamelot

    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/

    1h 25m
  8. Avivah Wittenberg-Cox: Rethinking Life, Work, and Leadership for 100 years

    11/12/2025

    Avivah Wittenberg-Cox: Rethinking Life, Work, and Leadership for 100 years

    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/

    1h 12m
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4.9
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Jean-Philippe Courtois
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    130
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Positive Leadership
  • Show Website
    Positive Leadership