EXCLUSIVE: FreightWaves: Rail Merger Critics Should ‘Quit Looking Backward’ – Union Pacific CEO
Union Pacific CEO urged detractors of the pending UP‑NS merger to stop dwelling on past rail consolidations and look ahead to the benefits of a combined network. The merger, filed with the Surface Transportation Board, seeks to create America’s first transcontinental railroad, promising greater capacity and cost efficiencies. The STB recently flagged the application as incomplete, prompting a revised filing expected by April 30. The CEO emphasized that the partnership will strengthen competitive positioning and deliver long‑term value for shippers and investors.
Less Than Half of Employees Trust Their Leaders. Here’s How to Be Different.
Less than half of employees trust senior leaders, a gap that hampers performance and change readiness. The article outlines five concrete actions—showing up in person, embracing transparency, holding regular 1:1s, living core values, and granting autonomy—to rebuild trust. The author...
TruScore Launches AI Capabilities for Its 360 Feedback Platform to Accelerate Leader Development
TruScore has added three AI‑powered features—AI Feedback Insights, AI Executive Summaries, and AI Comment Summaries—to its 360‑degree feedback platform. The tools automatically analyze quantitative scores and open‑ended comments, delivering concise themes, strengths, blind‑spot alerts, and development priorities. Built on a...
NBCUniversal Promotes Gus O’Brien to Lead International Networks and DTC
NBCUniversal Media Group promoted Gus O’Brien to president of International Networks and Direct‑to‑Consumer, effective April 1, succeeding veteran Ken Bettsteller who moves to an advisory role. O’Brien previously served as managing director for Latin America, overseeing joint ventures and the launch...
Mullen Hospitality Management Names Javier Coll President
Mullen Hospitality Management has appointed Javier Coll as president to spearhead its third‑party management and luxury beach‑resort development strategy. Coll brings more than three decades of international hospitality, investment and brand partnership experience, most recently as global head of growth...
Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks Seeks 'Exit Velocity' For Pharma's Future
Eli Lilly’s chief executive David Ricks announced a strategic push to sustain the company’s recent $1 trillion revenue milestone by accelerating AI‑driven drug discovery and manufacturing. He highlighted a new partnership with Nvidia to embed generative‑AI models across the R&D pipeline, aiming...
Medtronic Elevates Sean Haag to President of ENT
Medtronic has promoted Sean Haag from interim to permanent president of its ear, nose and throat (ENT) business. Haag, who joined Medtronic twenty years ago and most recently oversaw marketing and clinical for the AiBLE system, has been credited with...
Ascension Hospital in Kansas Taps New President
Patrick Avila has been named president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, Kansas, effective April 20, succeeding interim leader Drew Talbott. Avila arrives with more than 25 years of healthcare leadership, most recently as CEO of Northeast Regional Medical...
Choosing the Right Leadership: External vs Internal Candidates for C-Suite Success
Choosing between internal and external C‑suite candidates hinges on trade‑offs between cultural continuity and fresh insight. Internal hires offer faster, cheaper transitions and reinforce employee motivation, while external hires expand the talent pool, introduce new perspectives, and can drive transformative...
Coloplast Names Former J&J Executive Gavin Wood as CEO
Coloplast announced that former Johnson & Johnson executive Gavin Wood will assume the role of chief executive officer on May 1, ending a ten‑month search for a permanent leader. Wood arrives after serving as J&J’s group chairman for MedTech across Europe,...
Arvind Announces Resignation of Textiles MD Susheel Kaul
Arvind Limited announced that Managing Director and President of Textiles, Susheel Kaul, will resign effective March 9, 2026, citing personal reasons. Kaul, a veteran of the Indian textile sector, oversaw denim, woven and advanced‑material operations and helped cement Arvind’s position among top...
How Robert Goddard’s Self-Reliance Crashed His Rocket Dreams
On March 16, 1926 Robert Goddard launched the world’s first liquid‑fuel rocket, lifting 12.5 meters before crashing after 2.5 seconds. Despite early successes and funding from the Guggenheim family and the Smithsonian, Goddard’s distrust of collaboration kept his work isolated. The...
35 Years Strong: A Journey of Growth, Gratitude, and Future Ambitions
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) marks its CEO's 35‑year tenure, highlighting a transformation from a modest office to a global association. The organization now operates across Europe, Asia, and North America, with new chapters in London, conferences in Tokyo...
5 Ways to Strengthen Restaurant Culture as a General Manager
General managers are the architects of restaurant culture, shaping daily operations beyond the front‑of‑house service. Kyle Brown outlines five practical pillars—strict punctuality, comprehensive pre‑service communication, unwavering standards, supportive systems like tip pooling, and hands‑on cross‑training—to embed trust and consistency. By...
Former National Bank and CWB Executive to Lead ATB’s Wealth Arm
ATB Financial announced Matt Evans as the new head of wealth and investment management, effective March 30. He will oversee the bank’s wealth advisory, investment management, private banking and BCV Asset Management. Evans arrives with more than 18 years of...
ActiveState Appoints Open Source and Technology Leader, Abby Kearns, to CEO to Drive Next Phase of Growth
ActiveState announced Abby Kearns as its new chief executive officer, succeeding Stephen Baker who moves to the board. Kearns brings over 25 years of experience, including leadership roles at Cloud Foundry Foundation, Puppet and AIembic. The company emphasizes its mission...
Accenture CEO Julie Sweet: Why AI Skills Are Now Required for Promotion
Accenture CEO Julie Sweet announced that AI competence is now a non‑negotiable prerequisite for promotion within the firm. She highlighted a leader‑led learning model that puts senior executives at the forefront of upskilling teams. Sweet also warned CEOs that geopolitical...
Raymond Wittmann Succeeds Nedeljković as BMW Production Head
BMW’s Supervisory Board has appointed strategy chief Raymond Wittmann as the new Production Board member, effective at the May Annual General Meeting when current Production Director Milan Nedeljković ascends to CEO. Wittmann, 47, has been with the group since 2015, most...
HDFC ERGO General Insurance Appoints Parthanil Ghosh as MD and CEO
HDFC ERGO General Insurance's board has approved Parthanil Ghosh as managing director and chief executive officer, effective April 16, 2026, succeeding Anuj Tyagi. Ghosh brings over three decades of financial services experience and 16 years in general insurance, having joined...
100 Sessions, 1 Mission: NXT Fellowship Debuts Alongside NXT Summit to Shape Next Generation of Global Leaders
The NXT Foundation launched the inaugural NXT Fellowship, a one‑week immersion for 70 emerging leaders from 39 top universities worldwide. Held alongside the second NXT Summit at Bharat Mandapam, the program delivered 100 sessions covering economics, diplomacy, and cultural heritage...
Why Businesses Should Value Caregivers Now
Businesses are losing talent as more than 212,000 women left the U.S. workforce in early 2025, driven by return‑to‑office mandates and caregiving pressures. Research from Rutgers shows caregiving cultivates 18 skills that map onto 76.5% of the BLS’s core workplace...
Intranet Connections Strengthens Leadership Team with Appointment of Chief Growth Officer and Director of Sales
Intranet Connections announced two senior hires to fuel its next growth phase: Kal K. Sahota as Chief Growth Officer and David Daniel as Director of Sales. Sahota brings over two decades of SaaS and financial‑services leadership, while Daniel adds deep...
Looking Back on Nike’s Evolution From Startup to Global Enterprise
Phil Knight recounts Nike’s journey from a Stanford entrepreneurship class and a partnership with coach Bill Bowerman to a global sports‑wear empire. He highlights early breakthroughs such as the waffle‑iron sole and the Onitsuka partnership that set the brand apart....
Why ‘Bringing Your Whole Self to Work’ Is a Trap, Especially for Women
The “bring your whole self to work” mantra has become a popular shorthand for inclusion and psychological safety, yet its practical meaning remains vague. In reality, the concept often asks employees, especially women, to expose personal identities without corresponding structural...
Fitch EMS Foundation Accepting Applications for 2026 James O. Page Legacy Scholarship
The Fitch EMS Foundation has opened applications for the 2026 James O. Page Legacy Scholarship, sponsored by Mission Critical Protocols Inc. and due by March 15, 2026. The award includes a six‑part mentorship with veteran EMS leader Dr. Jay Fitch...
Charismatic Leadership: Weighing the Pros and Cons
Charismatic leadership, epitomized by figures like Jack Welch and Steve Jobs, once dominated corporate culture as the gold standard for driving vision and loyalty. Recent research shows its effectiveness peaks near average charisma levels, with overly charismatic leaders often perceived...
Ina Bajwa Joins Tilaknagar Industries as CPO
Ina Bajwa has been appointed Chief People Officer at Tilaknagar Industries, a company with roots dating back to 1933. Her hire comes as the firm embarks on a new growth and organisational transformation phase. Bajwa will partner with senior leadership...
Exclusive: Playboy Names Phillip Picardi Chief Brand Officer and Editor in Chief
Playboy announced Phillip Picardi as its new chief brand officer and editor‑in‑chief, marking a high‑profile editorial overhaul. Picardi, who reshaped Teen Vogue and founded the queer‑focused publication them, previously served as chief brand officer at Weight Watchers and consulted for...
Psychological Safety for Learning Teams
The article stresses that merely training managers on trust or culture does not guarantee psychological safety within learning teams. It outlines four progressive safety stages—Inclusion, Learner, Contributor, and Challenger—and argues that intentional coaching practices are essential to move teams through...
What Leaders Lose When They Hide Gen AI Truths
Leaders who conceal challenges in generative AI projects risk eroding employee trust and slowing adoption. The article argues that transparent communication of milestones, setbacks, and outcomes creates a shared narrative that engages staff as active partners. Real‑world examples—from a consumer‑goods...
The Edges Are Winning: Sudhir Sitapati, Godrej Consumer
India’s FMCG market is undergoing a K‑shaped recovery, with affluent consumers driving rapid premiumisation while price‑sensitive shoppers fuel explosive growth in low‑cost sachets and incense sticks. Sudhir Sitapati, CEO of Godrej Consumer Products, says the sector’s “middle” is stagnant, forcing brands...
Without Guardrails, the Workplace Can Become a "Stress Amplifier"
World events, especially the ongoing Middle East conflict, are spilling into office spaces, triggering heightened stress among employees. Leadership specialist Kris Grant warns that graphic news coverage can linger in meetings, task gaps, and personal thoughts, intensifying anxiety and impairing...
Comings & Goings
LRG promoted Group HR Director Hannah Cooper to Chief People Officer, highlighting her role in achieving record staff retention rates. The promotion signals LRG’s intent to embed people strategy at the executive level across its sales, lettings, property management and...
Organisations Fall Short in Developing Change Communication Strategies
Gallagher's 2026 Employee Communications Report reveals that 61% of organisations lack a formal change communication strategy, despite 57% ranking it as a critical competency for the next year. The absence of structured narratives, channel plans, and adoption metrics forces internal...
Impact’s APAC Boss Adam Furness To Exit
Adam Furness, who built Impact.com’s APAC and Japan business from a four‑person team to over 140 staff and more than 1,000 customers, announced his departure at the end of March 2026. He will take a short career break after a...
Natalie Shpiegel: A Global Mindset, Built to Scale
Natalie Shpiegel, Director of Sales and Marketing at RIGID Industries, leverages a globally mobile upbringing and a diverse career spanning brand marketing, operations, and program management to drive growth. Her early moves across six countries honed rapid relationship‑building and adaptability,...
Playful Leadership Development in Mid-Career Academic Mentoring and Coaching
Queen Mary’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences introduced a two‑day, faculty‑wide mentoring program for mid‑career researchers that replaces traditional KPI‑driven workshops with playful, creative activities. Participants used visual metaphors, silent paper‑tower challenges, and sensory exercises to reflect on career...
Disney Names Thomas Mazloum Chairman of Disney Experiences, Succeeding Josh D’Amaro
Disney announced Thomas Mazloum as Chairman of Disney Experiences, succeeding Josh D’Amaro, who will become CEO after Bob Iger. Mazloum brings luxury‑hospitality and cruise‑line experience, having overseen Disney’s Signature Experiences and the recent launch of Disney Adventure in Singapore. The...
Josh D’Amaro Sets New Leadership at Disney’s Lucrative Experiences Division
Disney announced Thomas Mazloum will succeed Josh D’Amaro as chairman of Disney Experiences, the division that drives the bulk of the company’s profit. Mazloum, who has overseen Disneyland Resort and Disney Signature Experiences, steps in as D’Amaro prepares to become...
Debra Freitas, CEO of LSC, Listed Among Top Female Founders
Debra Freitas, CEO and co‑founder of Light Source Communications, was named to Inc.’s 2026 Female Founders 500, a list that aggregates $12.3 billion in revenue and $12.2 billion in funding from its honorees. LSC builds underground dark‑fiber networks for hyperscalers and enterprises,...
Stryker Medical President Jessica Mathieson’s Advice for Moving up in Medtech
Stryker Medical President Jessica Mathieson emphasized a simple career mantra: talk less, listen more, and seek mentors who can spark ideas. Drawing on 17 years at Stryker, she rose from account manager to president, highlighting the role of mentorship and...
These Interview Questions Can Tell You Whether Someone Is the Right Fit
Hiring leaders are turning to vulnerability‑focused interview questions to assess intangible traits like teamwork, accountability, and cultural fit. By asking candidates to share moments when they needed help or recount a mistake and its lessons, recruiters gain concrete evidence of...
New Study Finds 1 Feedback Mistake Prompts 14 Percent of Staff to Quit—And Boomer Managers Are the Most Likely to...
Adobe’s latest employee‑experience study of 1,000 full‑time workers reveals that feedback anxiety is pervasive, with 38% of respondents delaying necessary feedback out of fear of the recipient’s reaction. Contradictory input slows work for nearly three‑in‑five employees, while low‑quality feedback contributes...
My Surgeon Gave Me a Lesson in School Leadership (Opinion)
Sarah Whaley, an associate director of exceptional student services, recounts how a serious health issue forced her to disclose her diagnosis and leave plans to staff. By sharing limited but essential information, she discovered that transparency can deepen trust without...
The New CSO Mandate: Hit the Number While Rebuilding the Engine
Gartner reports that 89% of chief sales officers (CSOs) wrestle with balancing transformation risk and revenue targets, while only 11% see commercial success during a sales overhaul. Organizations average three to four sales transformations annually, yet most initiatives falter because...
The Core Element Behind Every Thriving Global Team
KeenStack argues that culture, not headcount, is the foundation for scaling global teams. The company hires for a growth mindset, uses the EOS framework to align values, and invests in personal, financial, and professional development. In‑person and hybrid interactions are...
Ran Tellem Exits The Mediapro Studio
Ran Tellem, the architect of The Mediapro Studio’s international content strategy, is leaving the Madrid‑based studio after steering its rapid expansion since 2019. His exit follows the departures of general manager Laura Fernández Espeso and Disney+ Latin America head Daniel Burman, marking...
Vox Appoints Stephen Heuser as Executive Editor
Vox announced that Stephen Heuser will assume the role of executive editor on March 23, reporting to Editor‑in‑Chief Swati Sharma. He will direct the Politics, Policy & Ideas, Even Better & Lifestyle, and Today, Explained & Explain It to Me...
Nadine Merabi Drafts in Former Jigsaw and Matches Bosses as Advisers
Nadine Merabi has appointed former Jigsaw CEO Hash Ladha and ex‑Matches chief Nick Beighton as part‑time advisers to help reshape its organisational structure. Ladha will work two days a week and Beighton three days a month, both serving as non‑executive directors...
Three Lies Leaders Tell Themselves That Never Stay Cheap
The article identifies three common self‑deceptions leaders tell themselves—lack of time, fear of collapse, and avoidance of uncomfortable truths—and shows how each creates a hidden "leadership debt" that compounds over time. Quick fixes replace robust processes, over‑involvement creates a single...