Today's Leadership Pulse
Google CEO Sundar Pichai says CEO role is simple, AI will handle decisions
Sundar Pichai told The Verge that being a CEO is "not that complicated" and that AI agents will soon make many routine decisions, freeing leaders to focus on strategy. He noted that Google engineers are shifting from manual coding to directing AI‑driven product teams, reflecting a broader change in how leadership operates.
‘I Didn’t Want Anybody Shooting Me’: Five Guys CEO Gave Away $1.5 Million Bonus to Employees over Botched BOGO Burger...
Five Guys founder and CEO Jerry Murrell distributed a $1.5 million bonus—$1,000 per store—to roughly 1,500 frontline employees after a botched 40th‑birthday BOGO promotion. The promotion, launched on Feb. 17, drove a 130% sales surge, causing severe supply shortages, long lines, and overwhelmed crews. Murrell apologized directly to staff and the public, framing the payout as a safety measure and a demonstration of the chain’s long‑standing employee‑first culture. The gesture aligns with Five Guys’ broader philanthropic practices, including donating 20% of event sales to local charities.
What Ethical Leadership Grows
The article argues that ethical leadership is inseparable from everyday business decisions, shaping the culture and outcomes of an organization. It uses the tree metaphor to illustrate how leaders’ actions produce visible "fruit" such as trust, employee engagement, and customer...
How to Communicate Risk to the C-Suite and Board
The NC State ERM Initiative released a practical guide for enterprise risk management leaders on how to communicate risk to the C‑suite and board. It outlines four pillars—focusing the message, structuring the process, designing concise materials, and ensuring messages are...
Bad Manager Turns Employee Into Reluctant Entrepreneur
That one manager who accidentally made you an entrepreneur. Everyone has one. Takes credit. Micromanages. Let’s you do fine but not as well as them. My worst manager made sure I’d never work for anyone else again.
Reinvent Performance Management: No More Annual Reviews
A new way to manage performance. If you want to check out my article I wrote that breaks down this new way of managing performance (without annual reviews), comment “LEADER” and I’ll send it to you. #annualreview #performancemanagement #leadership
Velera Picks Longtime Exec Brian Caldarelli as CEO
Velera, the credit union service organization serving roughly 4,000 credit unions, announced that Chief Administrative Officer Brian Caldarelli will succeed President and CEO Chuck Fagan on September 30, 2026. Caldarelli, a longtime PSCU veteran who joined as CFO in 2013, replaces Fagan, who...
More Changes Ahead for Takeda with New CEO Set to Take Reins
Takeda Pharmaceutical announced that Julie Kim will assume the role of chief executive, continuing the company’s multi‑year restructuring agenda. The board approved a new phase of the transformation, emphasizing the rollout of upcoming product launches and accelerating late‑stage pipeline development....
Chubb's CEO Just Challenged the Entire MGA Model
In its March 17 shareholder letter, Chubb CEO Evan Greenberg labeled managing general agents (MGAs) a "bad bet" and unveiled a four‑year plan to automate roughly 85% of underwriting and claims. The initiative includes cutting about 8,600 positions and targeting...
How to Make Change Feel Normal — Instead of Threatening — to Your Team
Leaders often turn to motivational speakers to spark enthusiasm during organizational change, but research shows inspiration alone is insufficient. Gartner finds only 32 % of leaders achieve healthy change adoption, while routinizing change is three times more effective. Embedding micro‑changes into...
RIA Edge 100: How Root Financial Found Growth Through Simplicity
Root Financial leveraged a straightforward YouTube video strategy to grow its assets under management to $2.4 billion in just six years. The firm’s focus on clear, consumer‑friendly content attracted over 7,900 viewers per video and generated a flood of inbound client...
Hold the Wrong Party Fully Accountable with Calm Feedback
Whenever there is a dispute, both parties are required to have equal levels of integrity, to be open-minded and assertive, and to be equally considerate. The judges must hold the parties to the same standards and provide feedback consistent with...
Coming Soon: An Unusual Situation at the Fed’s Top Position
The Federal Reserve’s leadership transition has hit a snag as Justice Department investigators probe former Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks about a Fed building renovation. Senator Thom Tillis is refusing to advance the confirmation of incoming Chair Kevin Warsh until the...
Federal Leaders Shift Workforce Strategies to Support AI Integration
Federal agencies, led by NASA and the Department of Transportation, are overhauling workforce strategies to accommodate AI‑augmented workflows. They plan to inventory current roles, map skill needs for the next three to six years, and launch upskilling, reskilling, and cross‑skilling...
Helical Names Robert Fowlds as Chair, Richard Cotton to Step Down
Helical, a leading commercial‑real‑estate data platform, announced that long‑time chair Richard Cotton will depart at the end of April. Robert Fowlds has been named the new chair, effective immediately. The transition follows a period of steady growth for Helical’s subscription‑based...
Bootstrapped Success: Define Enough, Share Wealth, Out‑Care Competition
I’m bringing my friend @wilreynolds into the Make More Money program for a fireside chat. If you don’t know Wil. he founded @SeerInteractive in his living room in 2002. Built it to 200+ people, fully bootstrapped. Turned down $50M in acquisition...
How Listening Is Shaping ‘Incredible’ Year for AICPA Chair Lexy Kessler
Lexy Kessler, AICPA chair, has leveraged a listening‑first approach to drive tangible change in the accounting profession. By leading the National Pipeline Advisory Group, she helped identify education cost and time as licensure barriers, prompting Ohio and over 25 states...
Minnesota Bank Bolsters C-Suite with Climate First Alums
B2 Bank, a Minnesota community lender owned by fintech entrepreneur Brian Barnes, has appointed three former Climate First Bank executives—Ryan Jaskiewicz as CEO, Chris Cucci as president, and Chris Van Buskirk as chief credit and risk officer. The new C‑suite brings...
Jim Mattis & Ryan Holiday: War, Strategy, and Stoic Leadership
In a PBS interview, retired General James Mattis warned that Iran’s regime conducts a total war against its own citizens and the United States, noting the regime’s durability despite internal fragility. He criticized U.S. military strategy as murky, lacking a clear...
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney Pisses Everyone Off With ‘Out of Touch’ Response To Putting 1,000 Game Makers Out Of Work
Epic Games announced a second round of layoffs, cutting roughly 1,000 Fortnite staff in March 2026. CEO Tim Sweeney posted a boastful message on X, claiming the departing talent would flood the job market with "once‑in‑a‑lifetime" resumes. The tone was...
Everyone Thought Rishi Sunak Would Run to Silicon Valley when He Lost the U.K. Election. So What Is He Doing...
Former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak, defying expectations of a Silicon Valley exit, remained in Parliament and now advises CEOs on artificial intelligence at a Goldman Sachs conference in Birmingham. He highlighted AI’s rapid transformative power, its potential to democratize...
Consertus Names Former Strategy Chief Jennifer Richmond as Chief Growth Officer
Consertus, a portfolio company of RTC Partners, has appointed former John Wood Group chief strategy officer Jennifer Richmond as its first Chief Growth Officer. In the newly created role, Richmond will steer a global growth strategy that expands Consertus' integrated...
Founder Turns Pest‑Control Tech Role Into $30K ARR Vertical SaaS in 21 Days
A former pest‑control technician launched a niche SaaS platform, generating $30,000 ARR in 21 days by leveraging ride‑along insights and SDR‑style outreach. The founder details the licensing sprint, on‑the‑road sales, and how the model could scale across fragmented, regulated markets.
Private Ownership Gives Freight Edge Through Culture, Tech
Private ownership can be an edge in freight. On Talking Transports, I speak with Jarrett CEO Mike Jarrett about staying debt-free, focusing on culture, navigating market volatility & why tech supports — not replaces — relationships. 🎧 Listen to Episode 131...
Raise Your Assertiveness Dramatically in 90 Minutes
Alan Weiss promotes a 90‑minute live workshop on May 23 that teaches participants how to adopt assertive behavior by shifting underlying self‑worth beliefs. The session, priced at $500, includes role‑playing, language scripts, and case‑study demonstrations. Early registrants (first 15) receive...
Executive Bonuses Should Reward Revenue, Not Stock Hype
I get why companies do it, but ... me no like incenting executives on stock price / market cap as opposed to operating metrics like revenue and profit. They can miss their target and multiples expand enough the bonus stil pays....
JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon Says Remote Work Breeds ‘Rope-a-Dope Politics’ and Stunts Young Workers’ Growth
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warned that remote work hampers learning and creates "rope‑a‑dope" politics, urging young employees to return to the office. He reiterated his stance at the Hill and Valley Forum, citing in‑person interaction as essential for skill development...
AI Filmmaking Tools Company Flawless Names Amit Kapur Co-CEO
Flawless, an AI‑assistive filmmaking platform, appointed longtime tech entrepreneur Amit Kapur as co‑CEO alongside co‑founder Scott Mann. Kapur, who previously helped grow MySpace and sold AI startup Gravity for $100 million, joins the board‑member‑turned‑executive to scale the company. Flawless, founded in...
Our New Executive Editor for Enterprise: Jennifer Maloney
Business Insider announced Jennifer Maloney as its new executive editor for Enterprise. Maloney brings 14 years of experience from The Wall Street Journal, where she served as retail editor and deputy corporate bureau chief, and a Pulitzer‑finalist investigation at Newsday....
Innovation Proves the Product Works
Dymeka Harrison, a commercialization veteran, argues that breakthrough products alone don’t guarantee lasting companies; adoption hinges on disciplined commercial execution. She cites the 70‑90% startup failure rate as largely driven by underdeveloped commercial foundations. Harrison outlines a holistic commercial system—segmentation,...
1 in 3 GCs Who Left Fortune 500 Companies Were in Role Less than 3 Years, New Report Says
A new Russell Reynolds Associates report analyzing nearly 500 Fortune 500 general counsels reveals that 58% of those appointed in 2025 were newcomers to the role. Of the 67 GCs who departed that year, 31% left within three years, and more...
Distinguish Systems From Programs to Avoid Costly Failures
When systems are treated like programs, exceptions accumulate, and the cost of maintaining them rises over time. When programs are treated like systems, they deliver activity but struggle to produce meaningful change. Neither failure mode is surprising. Both are common....
Managers Judged by Team Results, Not Personal Work
You are a manager now. Your hands-on contributions no longer matter. You are judged entirely by the output of others. THE HARSH REALITY:
Build an /Exec-Review AI Skill to Stop Guessing What Your Leader Wants
A new "/exec-review" AI skill lets product teams capture a leader’s feedback before formal meetings by modeling the executive’s decision‑making style. The skill, demonstrated with a Meta VP’s profile, uses Claude Code to generate concise, voice‑matched comments on documents. Users...
Act First, Answers Follow—Confidence Thrives in Uncertainty
If you need all the answers before you start, it's never going to work. Action comes first. Answers come after. You can have absolutely no idea how… And still have complete confidence you'll figure it out.
Clear Rewards, Not Fear, Drive AI Acceptance
People don’t resist AI. They resist uncertainty. “If I get faster, do I get rewarded — or replaced?” The best companies answer that clearly. #AI #FutureOfWork #Leadership #Innovation https://t.co/PeWuBlEx9s
A New Business Podcast Explores How Leaders Build with Purpose in Complex Times
Catch The Upswing, a new weekly business and leadership podcast, launches on March 25, 2026, hosted by global finance executive Jessica Espinoza. The show features candid conversations with leaders ranging from former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres to media researcher...
Simplicity Is Rare, Valuable, and Hard to Achieve
The Complexity Trap: Why Simple Is So Hard … And So Valuable https://t.co/DeOLUE5WCb #leadership @TanveerNaseer https://t.co/m1WWrlaqF7
Neglecting Middle Managers Undermines Culture and Engagement
Ignoring the Middle: How Overlooking Middle Managers Erodes Culture https://t.co/Bd8dgsQL5h Most organizations over-invest in #executive alignment and #employeeengagement and quietly under-invest in the layer that determines whether either one works. #middlemanagement https://t.co/IuXIAateuu
New Brittin, New BBC?
Matt Brittin, a former senior European Google executive, has been appointed Director‑General of the BBC. Lacking editorial experience, he is expected to run the corporation in a CEO‑style while delegating editorial authority to a separate Editor‑in‑Chief. The appointment comes as...
HR's Reporting Line Reveals Organization's True People Priorities
Who HR Reports To Says More Than You Think https://t.co/UhjvYMakdw This particular reporting structure tells you almost everything you need to know about how the organization views its people – and it’s rarely flattering. #culture #leadership #HR #employeeexperience https://t.co/PvBxDOQjCX
Emotional Regulation: Key Leadership Skill for Small Trade Firms
Emotional Regulation as a #Leadership Capability in Trade-Led Small Businesses @ABPsychologists https://t.co/Zl6yDQdEmy #HCM #HRM #HumanResources #HRTech #CHRO #FutureofHR
Alyssa Henry to Join PayPal’s Board of Directors
PayPal announced that Alyssa Henry, the former CEO of Square within Block, has joined its Board of Directors, expanding the board to 12 members with 11 independents. Henry brings over three decades of experience scaling payments, commerce, and cloud platforms,...
Nick Staab Introduces Ethical Influence Framework on The Rhonda Swan Show
Nick Staab, co‑founder and CEO of Masters of Influence Academy, appeared on The Rhonda Swan Show to unveil a three‑step, ethically‑focused influence framework that replaces pressure tactics with question‑driven listening and precise audience targeting. The interview highlights why modern buyers...
Allied Global Marketing Appoints Adam Cunningham as CEO, Elevates Kelly Estrella to COO
Allied Global Marketing announced that Adam Cunningham will take over as chief executive officer while Kelly Estrella has been promoted to chief operating officer. The reshuffle is aimed at sharpening the firm’s go‑to‑market execution and growth planning, though financial terms...
Meta Orders Select Teams to Work Remotely as Layoff Rumors Surge
Meta sent an internal email on Tuesday night instructing staff in its wearables and ads units to work remotely on Wednesday, a move that coincides with reports that up to a fifth of its 79,000‑person workforce could be let go....
United Airlines Flags up to 20% Fare Hike as It Rolls Out Premium “Relax Row” Seats
United Airlines announced a potential 20% increase in ticket prices if jet‑fuel prices stay high and introduced a new premium “Relax Row” seat class. CEO Scott Kirby said the airline is already cutting capacity on unprofitable routes and preparing for...
Epic Games Cuts 1,000 Jobs, Including 82 in Bellevue, as Fortnite Engagement Slumps
Epic Games is eliminating more than 1,000 positions, with 82 jobs lost at its Bellevue office, and targeting $500 million in cost savings after a sharp drop in Fortnite engagement. CEO Tim Sweeney said the cuts are needed to bring spending...
OpenAI Pulls the Plug on Sora, Ends $1 Billion Disney Deal
OpenAI has abruptly shut down Sora, its generative‑video service, ending a $1 billion partnership with Disney. The move signals a strategic pivot toward enterprise AI and developer tooling as competition intensifies.
A Shift Philly to NY For NBC Local ND Duties
Ana Hernandez has been appointed News Director for NBC’s WNBC‑TV and Telemundo’s WNJU‑TV in New York, effective April 20. She currently leads WWSI “Telemundo 62” in Philadelphia and coordinates weather planning for WCAU “NBC 10.” The promotion moves her from a decade‑long tenure...
SPJIMR Dean Varun Nagaraj Appointed to AACSB Board of Directors
Dean Varun Nagaraj of SPJIMR has been appointed to the AACSB Board of Directors, marking the first time an Indian business school is represented on the 110‑year‑old board. He will serve a three‑year term beginning July 1 2026 and will represent the Asia Pacific...