

Future Ready Leadership With Jacob Morgan
Jacob Morgan
The future of work isn't coming. It's already here — and it's moving fast. Future Ready is the podcast for leaders who want to stay ahead of AI, workplace transformation, and the forces reshaping how organizations operate and compete. Hosted by Jacob Morgan, futurist and bestselling author, this is where strategy meets reality.
Every week, two formats in one feed: honest, unfiltered conversations with the CEOs, CHROs, and senior executives actually building the future of work — and sharp, no-fluff daily briefings that take the most important developments in artificial intelligence, AI agents, leadership, hybrid work, and organizational strategy and tell you exactly what they mean for your business.
No hype. No filler. Just the insights, frameworks, and real-world playbooks that help you lead smarter, build resilient teams, and make better decisions in a world that won't slow down.
If you're serious about leading what's next — this is your podcast. Subscribe to Future Ready wherever you listen.
Every week, two formats in one feed: honest, unfiltered conversations with the CEOs, CHROs, and senior executives actually building the future of work — and sharp, no-fluff daily briefings that take the most important developments in artificial intelligence, AI agents, leadership, hybrid work, and organizational strategy and tell you exactly what they mean for your business.
No hype. No filler. Just the insights, frameworks, and real-world playbooks that help you lead smarter, build resilient teams, and make better decisions in a world that won't slow down.
If you're serious about leading what's next — this is your podcast. Subscribe to Future Ready wherever you listen.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 22, 2023 • 19min
Sparks: How to Make Your Executive Presence Stand Out
In today's leadership spark, Executive Coach Tom Henschel and I talk about how to make your executive presence unique and stand out, emphasizing the importance of confidence and self-awareness. We also explore the three components of executive presence: gravitas, communication, and appearance. Tom highlights the significance of negative automatic thoughts and how managing them is crucial for building confidence and gravitas. As we wrapped up the discussion, Tom leaves us with an action item for improving executive presence: recording a short video and seeking feedback from others to gain insights and make adjustments. _________________ This episode is sponsored by AvePoint. Take control of your SaaS environment and ensure secure collaboration with AvePoint. _________________ 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/

Jun 21, 2023 • 22min
Sparks: How to Determine and Build Your Executive Presence
In today's leadership spark, Executive Coach Tom Henschel and I discuss the importance of communications and presence in leadership. Tom discusses the importance of concise communication, the art of answering questions effectively, and the tendency to drift off-topic in conversations. Tom also shares coaching insights and techniques to help leaders develop these skills and enhance their executive presence. Tom and I dived deeper into how to determine if one has an executive presence, the importance of feedback and recognition over time, and the challenges and strategies for developing an executive presence in a virtual world. He also addressed the impact of technology on virtual executive presence, such as lighting, microphone quality, and camera positioning. Our conversation also covered whether executive presence is exclusive to extroverts or if introverts can also cultivate it with a game day attitude and conscious effort. ________________ This episode is sponsored by AvePoint. Take control of your SaaS environment and ensure secure collaboration with AvePoint. ________________ 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/

Jun 20, 2023 • 21min
Sparks: How to Build Your Executive Presence
In today's leadership spark, Executive Coach Tom Henschel discusses the concept of executive presence and its crucial role in leadership and how it influences how others perceive and trust leaders. The nature of executive presence is diverse, as it varies across industries and organizational contexts. According to Tom, executive presence encompasses both behavioral aspects and attitude, including confidence, the ability to command a room, and great speaking skills. Leaders often find it challenging to develop executive presence. While executive presence may not directly secure a promotion or job, its absence can hinder progress. _________________ This episode is sponsored by AvePoint. Take control of your SaaS environment and ensure secure collaboration with AvePoint. ___________________ 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/

Jun 19, 2023 • 41min
Leadership Lessons From Ex-CEO of the World's Largest Private Company
My guest today us David MacLennan, the Executive Chair and former CEO of Cargill, a global food and agribusiness corporation that employs over 160,000 employees in 70 countries. David shares his journey, from his early days in the company to his rise to the top, and the challenges he faced along the way. In this conversation, David discusses the importance of followership in leadership. He emphasizes that a title alone does not command respect or followership; it must be earned through credibility, sincerity, and reliability. He also shares his philosophy on leadership, which involves creating a personal connection with those he leads through authenticity and transparency. David believes that trust is the cornerstone of effective leadership, and he strives to earn this trust from his team and the wider organization. ___________________ This episode is sponsored by: AvePoint Rapidly reduce costs, improve productivity and make more informed business decisions with AvePoint. With the most advanced platform to optimize SaaS operations and secure collaboration, AvePoint helps you transform your digital workplace and collaborate with confidence. To get started, go to www.avepoint.com and learn how you can advance your digital workplace today. ___________________ 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/

Jun 15, 2023 • 14min
Sparks: The Role of Algorithms and AI in Modern Society
In today's leadership spark, renowned Author Brian Christian and I delve into the creation and challenges of algorithms, emphasizing the distinction between traditional algorithms and machine learning models. We explore how machine learning models are trained using examples and objective functions, highlighting their potential for accuracy and generalization. Brian also mentions the complexities of AI in fields like aerospace safety and hiring processes. We explore the challenges of balancing automation with human intuition and the risks of biases embedded in algorithms. While cautioning against overreliance on AI, Brian highlights the need for ongoing research, transparency, and ethical considerations in the development and deployment of these technologies. ___________________ 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/

Jun 14, 2023 • 19min
Sparks: The Implications and Challenges Presented by AI
In today's episode spark, I engage in a thought-provoking conversation with renowned Author Brian Christian. In our conversation, we explore the creation of algorithms, from traditional step-by-step code to modern machine learning models. Brian emphasizes the importance of understanding these systems, even for non-technical individuals, as they increasingly shape our lives and decisions. Further into our discussion, we dived deeper into real-world examples of AI and machine learning in action, such as medical diagnostics, social media algorithms, and even judicial decision-making. The episode sheds light on the implications and challenges presented by these technologies, urging listeners to be informed citizens in the algorithm-driven world we live in. ___________________ 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/

Jun 13, 2023 • 19min
Sparks: The Bridge Between Human Values and Artificial Intelligence
In today's episode spark, I had the pleasure of chatting with renowned Author Brian Christian. We discussed his latest book, "The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values," and why he wrote it. Brian shared how the public conversation around AI shifted in 2014, leading him to explore the intersection of AI and human values. He highlighted the emergence of technical AI safety as a research field and discussed incidents that underscored the ethical challenges AI presents. Brian also touched on the history of AI and its breakthrough in 2012, along with the power and potential dangers of AI. _________________ 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/

Jun 12, 2023 • 51min
Transactional Vs. Transformational Leadership: How to Bridge Between the Two with Bruce Avolio
My interview today is with Bruce Avolio, the Director of the Gallup Leadership Institute and a renowned expert in the field of leadership. Bruce has dedicated his career to studying leadership and developing strategies for effective leadership in today's rapidly changing world. In our conversation, we explore the topic of leadership and how to become a successful leader. Bruce shares his insights on the debate of whether leaders are born or made, and emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and innovation for leaders. He also highlights the growing emphasis on psychological safety in the workplace and the value of authenticity in leadership. We also discuss the different types of leadership, including transactional and transformational leadership, and how each approach can impact employee satisfaction and retention. Bruce shares his research on the impact of CEO approval on board retention decisions and the importance of having a strong core value as a leader. __________________ 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/

Jun 8, 2023 • 19min
Sparks: How to Unlock the Power of Golden Behaviors
In this leadership spark, BJ Fogg, Adjunct Professor at Stanford & Author of Tiny Habits, and I delve into the power of tiny habits, the concept of golden behaviors, and debunk the myth that repetition alone creates lasting habits. BJ shares practical examples and expert guidance on how to design habits that align with your aspirations and motivations. In our conversation, BJ also shares how to recognize and nurture golden behaviors that have a significant impact on your personal and professional life and the significance of consistency and evolving habits over time. __________________ 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/

Jun 7, 2023 • 17min
Sparks: How Tiny Habits Transform Lives
In today's leadership spark, BJ Fogg, Adjunct Professor at Stanford & Author of Tiny Habits, explains how the Tiny Habits methods can be applied to various aspects of life, including health, productivity, relationships, and even leadership. BJ shares insights into the framework of the five-day program, where participants spend just 35 minutes exploring and practicing tiny habits. Moreover, he shares success stories and research insights, highlighting the effectiveness of small steps in creating lasting behavior change. Discover how these small steps can lead to significant growth and expansion, opening doors to personal improvement and achievement. __________________ 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/


