Podcast
The Chief Executive Podcast
Hosted by Mark C. Thompson · EN
Mark C. Thompson is the World's #1 CEO Coach and a New York Times bestselling author. Mark consults and coaches executives for Fortune 500 and Global Fortune 1000 companies. Forbes called Mark one of “America’s Top Venture Investors with the ‘Midas Touch'."
Formerly Charles Schwab's Chief of Staff and Chief Customer Experience Officer, Mark was the Executive Producer of Schwab.com which today has assets over $2.4 Trillion. He is a Co‐Founder of Sir Richard Branson’s Entrepreneurship Centres and an advisor to Virgin Unite Entrepreneurs.
Mark is a founding advisor of the Stanford Realtime Venture Design Lab, and is a visiting scholar at his alma mater, Stanford University. He has served as faculty at the World Economic Forum and World Business Forum, is a member of the Clinton Initiative, and an executive coach for TED Fellows.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Stanford CEO Summit - Enrique Lores | PayPal & HP
Feb 1200:32:58Tap to summarizeMost leaders get one big act. Enrique Lores is now on his second. With Enrique stepping in as CEO of PayPal, I am reminded of the first time I watched him reinvent a giant, legacy business at HP. Thirty years in, he was still acting like a curious young engineer in that famous garage, willing to obsolete his own “successful” product with a better one. When I asked him what he wished he had known earlier in his career, four themes stood out: • Let imagination be your only limit, and innovate relentlessly. • Challenge the status quo, even when you built it. • Marry bold vision with disciplined execution. • Know your values and refuse to compromise them. Enrique lives those principles. The question for all of us: which of these four will you double down on in your own leadership this year? #Leadership #CEOTransition #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork
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Dr. Kelly Goldsmith | Vanderbilt University
Feb 500:32:59Tap to summarizeWhen people feel short on time, resources, clarity, or support, the instinct is often to pull inward, protect territory, and stop investing in teamwork. But what if scarcity could strengthen collaboration? That’s exactly what I explore in my latest podcast conversation with Dr. Kelly Goldsmith, a Professor of Marketing at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management who studies how scarcity shapes our behavior. In this episode, we dig into questions that leaders face daily: - When teams say they are too busy or don’t have enough resources to collaborate, how does the perception of scarcity impact their work? - Why does uncertainty and scarcity sometimes demotivate people to act collectively and other times energize team members to pull closer together? - How does a scarcity mindset trigger status concerns and unnecessary competition and what can leaders do to reduce zero-sum thinking? - How should leaders give recognition to team members so the entire team is motivated? - How can people respond to scarcity by throwing their efforts in other unexpected directions? One of my biggest takeaways was that uncertainty and scarcity undermine a sense of control. Leaders can reframe limits as opportunity that will improve when the team collaborates. If you lead teams under pressure (and who doesn’t right now?), this conversation will change the way you think about “not having enough” and how to create cooperation when resources are scarce. Thank you Dr. Kelly Goldsmith for helping us rethink collaboration in constrained environments.
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Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim | President of the Indigenous Peoples Association
Oct 2900:29:22Tap to summarizeWhen your life depends on getting things your way, collaboration can seem impossible. In times of crisis, gathering evidence, considering others’ needs or listening often give way to fear and urgency. Yet, in the middle of life and death droughts in Chad, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim - President of the Indigenous Peoples Association, found ways to improve the communication and collaboration of these communities. In this episode, she shares how crisis can allow people to adopt new ways of collaborating. Hindou offers lessons for all of us about what it truly takes to work together when everything is at stake.
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Ryan McGarva | Mercedes F1 team
Sep 3000:35:12Tap to summarizeRyan McGarva | Mercedes F1 team by Mark C. Thompson
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Klaus Kleinfeld | Alcoa
May 2800:25:49Tap to summarizeJoin Mark and co-host Jacquelyn Lane, President and Co-founder of 100 Coaches Agency, for a powerful episode of the Chief Executive Summit featuring Klaus Kleinfeld, former Chairman and CEO of Alcoa and former CEO of Siemens AG. Klaus shares insights from his global leadership journey and his new book, Leading to Thrive, offering a fresh framework for sustainable success. Key takeaways: • Boardroom Strategy: What every CEO should know about managing group dynamics. • Energy Over Time: Why managing energy—not time—is the key to peak performance. • The Inner Game: How mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual energy fuel great leadership. This is a candid, insightful conversation with one of the world’s most experienced global leaders.
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Barbara Humpton | Siemens USA
Apr 22, 202500:29:25Tap to summarizeThis week on the Chief Executive Summit, we’re joined by Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA, and co-host Scott Osman, Founder and CEO of 100 Coaches Agency. Barbara reflects on the setbacks that shaped her path to CEO and how optimism, humility, and mission-driven leadership have guided her journey. Key takeaways: * Her “worst day” opened the door to her best opportunity * The importance of raising your hand and owning your impact * Why asking “What do you think?” is a game-changer in leadership A powerful conversation full of clarity, courage, and actionable wisdom.
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Steve Jobs | Apple
Apr 11, 202500:55:19Tap to summarizeJoin Mark for a fascinating look back at one of the most visionary conversations from our archives, featuring Steve Jobs, then Chairman and CEO of Pixar Animation Studios and interim CEO of Apple. In this rare dialogue, Steve shares his reflections on building Pixar into what he described as "the second great animation studio in the world." He dives into the power of blending creative genius with technical innovation, the art of storytelling, and how Pixar pioneered a new era of digital filmmaking — all while balancing leadership at both Pixar and Apple. Key moments include: Pixar’s approach to merging Silicon Valley’s technology with Hollywood’s storytelling tradition. Steve’s insights on scaling creativity, finding the right talent, and fostering a collaborative culture. The vision for digital cinema and building evergreen revenue streams through beloved characters and franchises. Steve’s relentless focus on quality and his belief in the longevity of great storytelling offer timeless lessons for every leader striving to leave a lasting impact. Don’t miss this incredible conversation, hosted by Mark.
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Asheesh Advani | JA Worldwide
Feb 20, 202500:25:08Tap to summarizeJoin Mark for the latest episode of the Chief Executive Summit, featuring Asheesh Advani, CEO of Junior Achievement Worldwide and co-author of Modern Achievement. Order Modern Achievement: https://a.co/d/eGHXedC Watch now: https://www.chiefexecutivealliance.com/post/cea-summit-asheesh-advani-ja-worldwide Asheesh leads an organization that impacts over 15 million young people annually across 118 countries, fostering entrepreneurship, self-efficacy, and leadership skills in the next generation. In this conversation, he shares insights on: • The Future of Achievement: Why traditional goal-setting is outdated in a world where young professionals will have 20 jobs and 7 careers on average. • Self-Efficacy & Entrepreneurship: How JA programs instill an unshakable belief in success through hands-on experience. • Innovation & Adaptability: A framework for navigating change—fixed, flexible, and freestyle—that empowers leaders at all levels. • Building a Meaningful Network: The power of surrounding yourself with mentors and how relationships drive career success. Asheesh’s perspective is a must-hear for leaders, educators, and anyone passionate about shaping the future workforce. #Leadership #FutureOfWork #Entrepreneurship #ChiefExecutiveSummit #MarkThompson
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Mike Clem | Sweetwater
Jan 21, 202500:16:10Tap to summarizeJoin Mark for the latest episode of the Chief Executive Summit, featuring Mike Clem, CEO of Sweetwater, the nation’s largest online retailer of musical instruments and audio/video equipment for creators. Mike shares his inspiring journey from tech and e-commerce professional to leading Sweetwater—a $1.5 billion company with over 10 million customers and a culture centered on building lifelong relationships. After two pianos and four trumpets later, Mark is sold on Sweetwater. Key insights from the conversation: Heart and Culture: Sweetwater thrives by fostering one-to-one relationships and providing over-the-top customer service, from free tech support to personalized guitar inspections. Mike discusses how this culture was shaped by founder Chuck Surack, who started the company in 1979 in the back of a VW bus. Leadership Transition: Mike shares how his 20 years with Sweetwater prepared him to step into the CEO role, including his commitment to preserving its people-first culture while navigating rapid growth. Employee Engagement: With 2,700 employees, Mike emphasizes the importance of leadership accountability for team happiness and engagement, noting how this approach strengthens customer experiences. Balancing Stakeholders: Learn how Mike leads with heart while balancing the needs of employees, customers, investors, and the community. This is a masterclass in scaling with purpose and staying true to core values in leadership. Don’t miss it!
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Geoff Smart - ghSMART
Jan 5, 202500:33:23Tap to summarizeJoin Mark for the latest episode of the Chief Executive Summit, featuring Geoff Smart, Chairman and Founder of ghSMART and a leading expert in CEO and C-suite readiness. Geoff shares his transformative approach to leadership assessment and development, offering invaluable insights for aspiring and current executives. Key Highlights: Beyond Psychology Tests: Geoff explains why traditional tools like cognitive tests often fall short at the executive level. Forensic Leadership Analysis: Discover Geoff’s unique method of evaluating leadership through a detailed examination of past experiences and performance, validated by peer and board feedback. Role-Specific Readiness: Insights into tailoring leadership development to the strategic needs of an organization. Geoff also discusses groundbreaking research, including the three key traits that increase team success by 20 times: prioritization, talent management, and result-focused relationships. These principles, combined with a rigorous selection process, drive long-term success for leaders and organizations alike. Don't miss this conversation about aligning leadership excellence with organizational strategy. Listen now.
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