Today's Leadership Pulse

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang pledges $150B annual investment in Taiwan to cement AI leadership
Jensen Huang announced Nvidia will invest about $150 billion each year in Taiwan and launch a $5 trillion headquarters project by 2030, creating roughly 4,000 high‑skill jobs and deepening ties with TSMC. The plan positions the island as the epicentre of the AI revolution.
Also developing:
- KFF founder‑CEO Drew Altman to retire after three decades, succeeded by senior executives
- Brex co‑founder Henrique Dubugras demands 8 am‑10 pm, seven‑day workweeks for AI‑native team, sparking labor tension
- Wix CEO Avishai Abrahami warns of potential layoffs affecting 1,000 staff as company restructures

Inclusion
A new framework for empathetic, inclusive leadership outlines practical steps for individuals, teams, and entire organizations. It combines psychological‑safety principles, structured listening, and equity‑of‑access practices to create high‑performing, psychologically safe environments. The guide provides concrete tools—check‑ins, inclusive meeting design, empathy mapping—and metrics such as safety scores and inclusion indexes to track progress. By linking empathy to better decision quality and innovation, the model positions inclusion as a strategic performance driver.
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau Retires (To Take French Classes?)
Air Canada announced that CEO Michael Rousseau will retire by the end of the third quarter of 2026, concluding a twenty‑year tenure that saw the carrier navigate the 2007‑2008 financial crisis, the COVID‑19 pandemic, and the Aeroplan acquisition. The board...

Xerox Board of Directors Appoints Louie Pastor as Chief Executive Officer
Xerox Holdings announced that Steve Bandrowczak will step down as chief executive officer and the board has appointed Louie Pastor as the new CEO, effective immediately. Pastor, who most recently served as Xerox’s president and chief operating officer, led enterprise‑wide transformation, global...
Cory Booker Blames Democrats for 'Failed Moment' And Calls for New Leadership
Sen. Cory Booker warned that the Democratic Party has "failed this moment" on NBC's Meet the Press, calling for a new generation of leaders. He raised $10 million for his Senate campaign and signaled he is not ruling out a 2028...
AI‑Driven CEO Exodus: Quincey and McMillon Cite Tech Pressures for Resignations
Coca‑Cola chief James Quincey and Walmart veteran Doug McMillon announced their departures, each citing the looming AI revolution as a reason they are not the right leaders for the next wave. Their exits highlight a growing pattern of CEOs stepping...

FNB CEO Harry Kellan Steps Down After Just Two Years
Harry Kellan will step down as FNB CEO at the end of 2026 after a two‑year tenure, making way for long‑time executive Lytania Johnson. The leadership change is part of FirstRand’s broader simplification strategy, which reorganizes FNB into three distinct...

Bridging Strategy and Execution: How Daily Management and Hoshin Kanri Work Together
The article explains how daily management and Hoshin Kanri, two core lean practices, complement each other to turn strategy into operational results. Daily management provides stability, real‑time metrics, and rapid problem‑solving, while Hoshin Kanri focuses on a few breakthrough objectives that shape...
382: Are We Building AI Without Half the Population? With Lisa Davis, Author of The Only Woman in the Room
In this episode, host Dan Turchin talks with Lisa Davis, former CIO and author of *The Only Woman in the Room*, about the alarming decline of women in STEM—from 34% in the mid‑80s to just 22% today—and its impact on...

Seyfarth Shaw Partner: Law Firms Should Invest in AI Training in Law Schools or Via Associate Programs
Seyfarth Shaw labor‑and‑employment partner David Baffa urges law firms to fund AI curricula in law schools and launch associate‑level training programs. He argues that current business barriers—budget constraints, legacy systems, and cultural resistance—stifle innovation. By embedding AI skills early, firms...
Syensqo: Heike Van De Kerkhof Appointed Chair of the Board of Directors and Martine Snels Independent Non-Executive Director
Syensqo announced that Heike van de Kerkhof will assume the role of independent chair of its board on March 3, 2026, succeeding Rosemary Thorne. The board also welcomed former Allnex CEO Miguel Mantas and industrial veteran Martine Snels as independent directors, while...
Improving Communication Across Busy Project Teams
The article outlines practical strategies for enhancing communication within fast‑paced project teams. It stresses defining clear channels, setting role expectations, fostering open dialogue, and using technology wisely. Structured handover processes and continuous improvement are recommended to reduce delays and boost...
Step Back, Teach Thinking, Unlock Team Potential
a lesson I wish I learned earlier: you need to remove yourself from operations. show your team how you think instead of just giving them marching orders. you’ll unlock their full potential and finally find true founder freedom.

Venu Srinivasan Re-Designated as Chairman & MD of Sundaram Clayton
Sundaram Clayton Ltd has re‑designated Venu Srinivasan as Chairman and Managing Director, succeeding R Gopalan who stepped down with immediate effect. Gopalan will remain on the board as a Non‑Executive Independent Director. The announcement coincided with the stock closing at ₹1,189,...
Toxic Positivity or Doom and Gloom? Why Times Like These Require a New Leadership Style
In today’s turbulent environment, passive reassurance is no longer a viable leadership tactic. Executives are urged to abandon both toxic positivity and fatalistic pessimism, opting instead for a balanced, authentic approach that acknowledges challenges while inspiring confidence. The article highlights...

Choose Curiosity Over Defensiveness to Accelerate Growth
The moment you sit across from someone whose results are so far beyond yours it makes you go quiet, you have two choices. Get defensive or get curious. Choose curious. One conversation like that can shift how you think about your entire business. But...

Toxic Bosses Don’t Just Hurt People. They Hurt the Bottom Line
Toxic bosses are a pervasive problem, with 87% of professionals reporting at least one and 57% leaving jobs because of a bad manager. Their behavior erodes psychological safety, stifles creativity, and drives high turnover. In North America, manager‑related attrition accounts...

Chief People Officer Appointments Down by a Fifth
Global hiring of chief people officers (CPOs) has dropped by more than a fifth over the past three years, with the United Kingdom accounting for 11% of worldwide appointments despite its modest economy. Women now occupy almost three‑quarters of new...

When It Comes to the Personal Decisions of Team Members, Leaders Share Experience, Not Advice
Leaders increasingly become confidants for team members facing personal decisions, from finances to health. Seasoned leaders avoid prescribing solutions, opting instead to share their own experiences. This approach provides context while leaving the employee to draw their own conclusions. By...

3 Insights Into the Future of Business From Steven Bartlett
Steven Bartlett, the 33‑year‑old entrepreneur behind the hit "Diary of a CEO" podcast, outlined three forward‑looking business insights during a PwC‑hosted SXSW session. He emphasized hiring "agent maxxers"—specialists who can direct AI agents rather than hiring generic staff. Bartlett warned...

Superdry CEO Julian Dunkerton on What Makes His Stores Industry-Leading
Superdry’s new Oxford Street flagship, rebranded as a "reimagined space," combines the core label with partner concepts such as a Bench collaboration and vintage Ralph Lauren and Carhartt displays. Founder‑CEO Julian Dunkerton argues that today’s shoppers need immersive, differentiated experiences...
GHD Appoints Liz Griffiths as Chief Growth Officer as Part of Strategic Leadership Shake-Up
GHD, the Wella‑owned hair‑tools brand, announced a senior‑leadership overhaul to support its ambition of becoming a multi‑category hair‑tech giant. The company is converting its Chief Marketing and Digital Officer role into a broader Chief Growth Officer (CGO) position, appointing current...

REDUX How Doing Less Is Delivering More for This Business, It’s Employees and It’s Customers
Tower Paddle Boards, a San‑diego direct‑to‑consumer brand, switched to a five‑hour workday (8 am‑1 pm) in 2014. The company expected up to a 40% revenue hit but instead saw revenue jump 42% and profitability rise above 30% that year. The compressed schedule...
SaaS CEOs Stretched Thin, Must Prioritize Transformative Pivot
I have lots of empathy for folks leading existing SaaS cos these days. They're fighting battles on 5 fronts: 1. Defending churn from larger platform consolidators 2. Defending churn from cheaper upstarts 3. Maintaining modest growth in the core business (x-sell, etc.) 4. Pivoting...

19‑Year‑Old Built $8.4B Ride‑Share Empire From Scratch
Markus Villig was 19 when he declared war on Uber and Lyft. Armed with zero experience and a tiny budget, he built Bolt into an $8.4B empire—from his small Estonian hometown. His strategy was so brilliant it left Silicon Valley in awe. Here’s...
Telecom Italia Ends Inwit Tower Deal, Halting 2038 Extension
Telecom Italia announced it will not renew its mobile‑tower lease with Inwit, letting the agreement lapse in August 2030 and abandoning a planned extension to 2038. The board’s decision sparked a 3.1% drop in Inwit shares and signals a broader...
Logpoint Names Frank Koelmel CRO to Accelerate European Cybersecurity Growth
Logpoint has hired Frank Koelmel as chief revenue officer, tasking him with steering worldwide revenue strategy and scaling the company’s European SIEM business. Koelmel brings more than 25 years of cybersecurity experience, including senior roles at Cybereason, Palo Alto Networks and...
Tracy McCoy Honored by Marquis Who’s Who for Business and Marketing Leadership
Tracy McCoy, founder and CEO of digital marketing firm Get Fish Slapped, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who, a biographical series that profiles leaders based on visibility and accomplishment. The honor underscores her role in expanding a...
Mongolia’s Ruling Party Names Uchral Nyam‑Osor as Prime‑Minister Candidate Amid Political Turmoil
The Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) selected speaker Uchral Nyam‑Osor as its new prime‑minister candidate after Zandanshatar Gombojav quit after nine months. The move follows a corruption scandal involving a senior minister and a boycott by the opposition Democratic Party, heightening...
Vegas Golden Knights Dismiss Bruce Cassidy, Hire John Tortorella as Head Coach
The Vegas Golden Knights have terminated head coach Bruce Cassidy and appointed veteran John Tortorella to lead the club. The move comes as the franchise struggles near the bottom of the Western Conference wild‑card standings, sparking a fresh leadership debate.
Greg Abel Leads $1.8 Billion Deal, Extending Buffett’s Capital Strategy
Greg Abel, the newly appointed CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, announced a $1.8 billion acquisition, positioning the conglomerate to deploy its record cash hoard. The move underscores Abel’s intent to build on Warren Buffett’s legacy of disciplined capital allocation while navigating a...
How Fortune 500 Communicators Are Rethinking Employee Communications and Culture
At Ragan’s Employee Communications & Culture Conference in Boston, Fortune 500 leaders from Honeywell, Cisco, M&T Bank and Humana showcased new tactics for engaging large workforces. Sessions highlighted equipping managers with practical toolkits, producing short‑form internal videos using phones and...

How Respect Is Earned (and Lost)
The Ultra Successful post argues that respect is a leader’s most valuable currency, not something money can purchase. It explains how earned respect generates business organically, fuels higher team performance, and accelerates personal career growth. The author outlines practical behaviors...
Sleep Number’s Linda Findley on Her Rise From Communicator to CEO
Linda Findley, who rose from a journalism‑trained communications role at Alibaba to become CEO of Sleep Number, used the Page Spring Seminar to argue that communications is not a support function but a form of leadership. She highlighted the importance...
Before You Cancel One-on-Ones, Read This
Executives are slashing one‑on‑one meetings to boost efficiency, but the article warns that the real problem lies in the wrong types of meetings, not their frequency. Routine status updates persist because asynchronous tools are inadequate, forcing teams to rely on...
IWD Voices: Christine Lai – ‘It’s About Holding Both the Industry and Ourselves Accountable So That Change Is Universal’
Christine Lai, featured in International Women’s Day Voices, redefines fairness as equity rather than uniform treatment. She argues that true fairness requires allocating resources to remove barriers and level outcomes for diverse individuals. Lai emphasizes that career growth should be...

The Hidden Cost of AI Tool Bloat—And How Managers Can Reduce It
Companies are rapidly subscribing to multiple generative‑AI tools—often both Claude and ChatGPT plus niche applications for recruiting, learning, and video creation. Research from Boston Consulting Group shows productivity actually drops when workers juggle more than three AI tools, a...

Book Briefing: 'Open to Work' By Ryan Roslansky by Aneesh Raman
LinkedIn chief executive Ryan Roslansky and chief economic opportunity officer Aneesh Raman have released a new book, Open to Work, arguing that artificial intelligence’s effect on employment is not set in stone. The authors contend that fear of AI is...

The My Pleasure Advantage: Why Chick-Fil-A Wins on People – Webinar Recap
In a recent HCI webinar, Nicholas Lawrence, Chick‑fil‑A’s Executive Director of People & Culture, outlined how the chain builds a gold‑standard service culture. He highlighted three pillars: consistent standards over time, intentional definition and enforcement of those standards, and leadership...

ADNOC, OMV Unveil Executive Leadership for Polyolefins JV
ADNOC and OMV have launched Borouge Group International (BGI), consolidating their polyolefins assets under a new joint venture. NOVA Chemicals CEO Roger Kearns will lead BGI as chief executive, while ADNOC finalizes its acquisition of NOVA Chemicals this month. The...
Buffett's Relentless Work Ethic Outshines Raw Talent
Hard work beats talent when talent doesnt work hard. Buffett outworked everyone. Most people know he read the Moody's Manual front to back. Twice. But did you know he brought Moody's Manuals on his honeymoon? He copied...
Power Dynamics Expose Uncomfortable, Universally Validated Human Truths
@JeffreyPfeffer Yet another eg of an aspect of human behavior you've been highlighting for years. Your social science research on power reveals uncomfortable truths that most don't like to discuss - yet are constantly validated all the same...

Cybersecurity Is a Calling, Not Just a Career — Dr. Priyanka Sunder (PD) on Women Leading the Charge
Dr. Priyanka Sunder, a two‑decade cybersecurity strategist and award‑winning leader, discusses how women are reshaping governance, risk and compliance (GRC) in the industry. She highlights the shift from compliance check‑boxes to continuous resilience, emphasizing cloud security controls, data localization, and...

Lead by Walking Before You Talk to Earn Buy‑in
“I walk it before I ever talk it. That’s a big reason why I get the buy in.” -Dan Hurley https://t.co/vBSQTmzkOl
Tech Firms Weigh Buying AI Models vs Building Own Stack
I am happy to see a lot more "build vs buy" discussions happening across more tech companies. As in "should we buy leading models [like OpenAI, Anthropic] and be dependent on their pricing and reliability, or should we build+own our inference...

Google Is to Journalism What Vikings Were to Monks. Now Their Man Will Run the BBC
Matt Brittin, former President of EMEA Business and Operations at Google, has been named the Director‑General designate of the BBC. The appointment pits a tech‑industry veteran against a public‑service broadcaster steeped in decades of editorial tradition. Brittin will inherit a...
5 Upgrades Your Employees Will Actually Appreciate
Employees now value practical upgrades that enhance daily productivity over superficial perks. Companies that invest in modern collaboration platforms, ergonomic workstations, continuous learning, flexible schedules, and reliable fiber connectivity see higher engagement and lower turnover. Research links a positive employee...

Make Job Negotiations Fairer in Your Organization
Harvard Kennedy School professors Iris Bohnet and Siri Chilazi argue that short‑term DEI training alone won’t fix inequitable job negotiations. They advocate systemic, behavioral‑design solutions such as anonymized applications, structured interviews, and algorithmic tools to curb bias. The authors cite blind auditions...

The Category Creator: How Michael Koch and HubKonnect Are Building the Hyperlocal Intelligence Retail Economy
HubKonnect, led by serial entrepreneur Michael Koch, has defined a new enterprise‑AI category called Hyperlocal Intelligence, which analyzes real‑time local signals to optimize decisions for individual retail locations. The platform ingests millions of data points—demographics, weather, traffic, and store performance—to...

Capital A Taps Former CIMB Heavyweight as Deputy CEO
Capital A announced the appointment of former CIMB executive Effendy Shahul Hamid as deputy chief executive officer, effective 6 April 2026. The move follows the group’s recent divestiture of its aviation businesses to AirAsia X, signaling a strategic shift toward its core digital...

David’s Bridal CEO Kelly Cook on Betting Big and Knowing When Not To
David’s Bridal CEO Kelly Cook marks her first year by redefining the company from a single‑purchase wedding dress retailer into a year‑long, data‑driven bridal ecosystem. She reframed the problem, discovering that a bride’s journey spans 18 months and hundreds of...