Podcast — 12 Geniuses

The Humanitarian Leader with Matt Gerber

When a situation is at its worst, that's when Matt Gerber rushes in. For more than two decades, Matt has volunteered in danger zones after hurricanes, earthquakes, and even during wars. As you might imagine, during the chaos of a humanitarian crisis, a clear head and great leadership are needed. Those are two of the gifts Matt brings to the table.

In this interview, Matt talks about how he has grown and developed as a leader from being a part of disaster recovery efforts. He also talks about his role in the corporate social responsibility space and how it is helping to attract and retain talent at Gartner. Matt closes with a discussion on mental health as he shares advice for individuals who may be struggling to find the words to describe how they are feeling and the leaders who are positioned to help navigate employees through mental health challenges.

Matt Gerber is Global Lead for Community Impact for Gartner ESG/CSR where he focuses on the intersection of business strategy, employee engagement, and community impact. Throughout his career, Matt has been able to conduct volunteer work around the world. This has enabled him to travel to more than 80 countries including places like Indonesia, Ethiopia, Syria, Pakistan, and, most recently, war-torn Ukraine to conduct humanitarian aid. He has been a member of Rotary International for more than 25 years and is on the board of directors for ShelterBox USA which was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 and 2019.

Fluid Leadership with Dessa

Musician and writer Dessa has made a career of bucking genres and defying expectations—her résumé as a musician includes performances at Lollapalooza and Glastonbury, co-compositions for 100-voice choir, performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, and top-200 entries on the Billboard charts. She contributed to the #1 album The Hamilton Mixtape and the RBG documentary. As a writer, she’s been published by The New York Times and National Geographic Traveler, broadcast by Minnesota Public Radio, and published a memoir-in-essays (My Own Devices, 2018) in addition to two literary collections. She’s also the host of Deeply Human, a podcast created by the BBC and American Public Media.

In this interview, Dessa talks about how she leads in her roles as a musician, podcast host, and writer. She says there is a fluidity in her leadership. She knows when to lead and when to get out of the way so the experts in the room can do their jobs. One of the keys to her success in getting the best performance out of others is understanding where people want to go in their careers and how she can help them get there. Dessa also talks about her collaboration with the Minnesota Orchestra and how she needed to understand the orchestra’s culture and language in order to maximize the talents of all the musicians involved in the joint performance.

Investing in Leadership with Bret Griess

Bret Griess is Executive Partner at the private equity firm Siris Capital. Prior to joining Siris, Bret spent 25 years with CSG Systems International where he rose through the ranks to become President and Chief Executive Officer. He oversaw the development of CSG’s first comprehensive cybersecurity program, introduced the industry’s first public, cloud-based business support solution, and led the company through its largest acquisition and contracts, valued at more than $2 billion. Bret is currently a member of the Board of Directors at Nebraska Methodist Health System, Midland University, and Equiniti.

In this interview, Bret talks about his rise from an entry-level position to the C-Suite of a publicly traded company, the importance of mentorship to his development, his approach to investing in learning and development for himself and the people he led, how he worked with his Board of Directors while he was CEO, and what roles he plays as a member of a Board of Directors. Bret also shares advice for young people who aspire to lead a company, how private equity companies think about the importance of leadership when making investments, and what he would like his legacy to be.

Leadership Lessons with U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Ronald Piret

Rear Admiral Ronald Piret leads the 2,600 people who comprise the U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. He is also the Oceanographer of the Navy, Navigator of the Navy, and Hydrographer of the Navy. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Oceanography. He holds master’s degrees in oceanography and meteorology from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., and national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, R.I., where he graduated with distinction. See full bio here.

In this interview, Rear Adm. Piret discusses his background and why he chose a career in the Navy, the importance of mentorship to his career development, the mission of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, the advantages of leading a blend of civilian and uniformed personnel, and the vast amounts of information captured and processed on a daily basis by the Command. He also talks about building trust, recruiting highly technical people, dealing with failure, the importance of diversity, how recognition is a key driver of engagement, how great leaders resist the urge to use their rank to get things done, and advice he has for young people who want a role in leadership.

The Power of Purpose with Zach Mercurio

Zach Mercurio, Ph.D. is an author, researcher, speaker, and consultant specializing in purposeful leadership, meaningful work, and positive organizational psychology. He wrote “The Invisible Leader: Transform Your Life, Work, and Organization with the Power of Authentic Purpose.” Zach earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change from Colorado State University where he serves as an Honorary Fellow in the Department of Psychology’s Center for Meaning and Purpose and as an Instructor in the Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change program.

In this interview, Zach discusses the benefits of knowing and living your purpose. He also talks about the importance of aligning your purpose with the purpose of your organization, and how great leaders create a sense of “mattering.”

Podcast, Human Behavior, The Futuredon macphersonSeptember 7, 202212 GeniusesLeadership, The Future, Trends, Purpose, Well-Being

Futurist Friday with Daniel Sisson

In this episode, Daniel Sisson joins the show. With an international business background, Daniel has spent his career in the San Francisco tech industry in a wide variety of roles for startup companies. He is a self-taught developer obsessed with virtual reality. the Metaverse. and the potential those technologies will present to the world.

In this interview, Daniel shares some of the newsletter sources he finds valuable for his research, he talks about political polarization in the United States and Europe, and he discusses the technologies he finds fascinating including virtual reality, the Metaverse, cryptocurrency and blockchain, artificial intelligence and robotics, and even space colonization. The interview concludes with what fills Daniel with optimism - the rise of the creator class and the attitudes of young people who are putting an emphasis on the “life” part of work/life balance.

Futurist Friday with CAPT Ken Wallace

In this episode, CAPT Ken Wallace joins the show. Based in Hawaii, CAPT Wallace is a third-generation career Naval Officer. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he started his career as a naval flight officer. In 2001, he transferred into the Navy Meteorology and Oceanography community. He is currently on the Pacific Fleet staff as the Force Oceanographer after completing his Major Command tour as Commanding Officer of the Naval Oceanographic Office.

In this interview, CAPT Wallace discusses why he leans on history to make sense of the future. He discusses how he vets the sources he finds valuable and the importance of a close network of peers to his development as a Naval Officer. Additionally, CAPT Wallace discusses the advantages and disadvantages of remote work, tips for quickly building trust while moving into a new leadership position, the importance of innovation and development to support autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and what fills him with a sense of optimism.

Futurist Friday with Ross Dawson

In this episode, Ross Dawson joins the show. Based in Australia, Ross is globally recognized as a leading futurist, keynote speaker, strategy advisor, best-selling author, and entrepreneur. He is Founding Chairman of the Advanced Human Technologies Group of companies and Founder of Bondi Innovation. His books include Living Networks, which The New York Times credits with predicting the social networking revolution, the Amazon.com bestseller Developing Knowledge-Based Client Relationships, Implementing Enterprise 2.0, and Getting Results From Crowds. His latest book - Thriving on Overload: The 5 Powers for Success in a World of Exponential Information - will be available September 6, 2022.

In this interview, Ross discusses the sources he values and trusts as he does his research. He talks about a few trends he is following closely, including polarization in many aspects of our lives, smart glasses, and machine/brain interfaces. Ross closes out the interview by sharing what is filling him with a sense of optimism.

Futurist Friday with Glen Hiemstra

In this episode, Glen Hiemstra joins the show. Glen started his career as a college professor at Whitworth University, the University of Washington, and Antioch University, Seattle. For the last 40 years he has been working as a professional futurist. He is also an author, keynote speaker, and consultant to business, professional and government organizations. The founder of Futurist.com, he serves as Futurist Emeritus on the Futurist.com Think Tank. The site is regularly visited by people from over 120 nations. Glen has also served as a Technical Advisor to future-oriented television programs and he still advises and appears in documentaries. He is the author of Turning the Future into Revenue and co-author of Strategic Leadership, and of Millennial City.

In this interview, Glen discusses the sources he values and trusts as he does his research. He shares the social trends he is following closely including the eventual decline in global population and the global rise of authoritarian governments. He also talks about two technology trends - space exploration, including his meeting with Elon Musk during the early years of Space X, and energy technologies that transition humans away from fossil fuels - that he is tracking.

Futurist Friday with Ufuk Tarhan

In this episode, Ufuk Tarhan joins the show. Ufuk is a futurist, economist, and a best-selling author in Istanbul. She is the only Turkish woman to appear on Forbes Magazine's "50 Most Influential Female Futurists" and "World's Top 100 Female Futurists" lists. She writes articles for business and future-oriented journals and online platforms, and she is an active and effective social media content creator.

In this interview, Ufuk discusses the wide variety of sources she regularly uses in her research. She shares the trends she is following closely including aging and how a global population that continues to get older will change the way we live. She ends the conversation with a fascinating look at the technology advances that will likely occur through the 2020s all the way to the year 2060.

Futurist Friday with Michael Kanaan

In this episode, Michael Kanaan joins the show. He is the author of the book T-Minus AI. Recently, Michael completed his role as the Director of Operations for the Department of Air Force/MIT Artificial Intelligence Accelerator and is now the Chief of Staff of the US Air Force Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School.

In this interview, Michael discusses his approach to doing research, including many of the sources he scours on a regular basis. He shares some of the trends that he is following. Those trends include device addiction, the digital divide and how that increases inequality in urban and rural communities, Artificial Intelligence, and the promise of a quantum world. He also talks about how he is inspired by people younger than him. He is filled with optimism by their empathy, ability to coordinate, and desire to be involved in public service.

Futurist Friday with Gerd Leonhard

In this episode, Gerd Leonhard joins the show. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, Gerd is one of the world’s leading futurists and the author of Technology vs Humanity: The Coming Clash Between Man and Machine. With the motto “People, Planet, Purpose, and Prosperity,” Gerd is an outspoken critic of unregulated exponential technologies. He uses his influence and platform to help people “imagine and create a better tomorrow” and was named one of Wired UK’s 100 Most Influential Europeans in 2015.

In this interview, Gerd points out that “the future is already here, we just haven’t paid enough attention to it.” He talks about how technology is making us superhuman, that we are in the biggest shift in history as far as energy and climate are concerned, and that machines and artificial intelligence are starting to emulate humanity. In addition to sharing how he does his research to better understand the future, Gerd suggests that leaders spend an hour a day focusing on the future. He also shares his thoughts on healthcare, longevity, and the convergence of technology and biology.

Futurist Friday with David Houle

In this episode, David Houle joins the show. David is a futurist and the author of This Spaceship Earth, Entering the Shift Age, and a series of books about the 2020s including The 2020s: The Golden Age of Design and Redesign. David is Futurist in Residence and Guest Lecturer at the Ringling College of Art + Design in Sarasota, Florida. He is Honorary President and Futurist of the Future Business School of China. He is a Founding Member and Managing Partner of The Sarasota Institute - A 21st Century Think Tank.

In this interview, David discusses the books that have influenced how he views the future, how he identifies trends through his research, two trends - aging and Technological Intelligence/Artificial Intelligence - that he is following closely and that will influence life through the 21st century, and why the 2020s will be the most disruptive decade in human history. David also raises provocative questions about the future ability of being able to upload consciousness, genetic alterations, and the morality of cloning humans.

Futurist Friday with Trond Undheim

In this episode, Trond Undheim joins the show. Based outside of Boston. Trond is a futurist, podcaster, investor, author, speaker, entrepreneur and the former director of MIT Startup Exchange. He has written six books including Leadership from Below, Disruption Games, Pandemic Aftermath: How Coronavirus Changes Global Society, and the soon-to-be released Augmented Lean.

In this discussion, Trond talks about his research which is focused on industrial technology and how it can contribute to regeneration and a more sustainable planet while creating an environment in which humans can flourish. He shares how he conducts his research and vets his sources. Trond shares his opinions on the limitations of carbon capture storage and he talks about his vision for humanistic technology in industrial settings that requires very little training in order for workers to operate it effectively. Finally, Trond discusses why human ingenuity fills him with optimism and he gives parting advice to leaders who want to be better visionaries for their organizations.

Futurist Friday with Dr. Bertalan Meskó

Over the course of the summer of 2022, we are releasing 12 interviews with futurists and forward thinkers in order to help our global audience of leaders become better visionaries for their organizations and be more prepared for our uncertain future.

In this episode, Dr. Bertalan Meskó joins the show. He is the Director of The Medical Futurist Institute where he and his colleagues analyze how science fiction technologies can become a reality in medicine and healthcare. Dr. Meskó is a physician with a PhD in genomics. He is also an Amazon Top 100 author and a Professor at Semmelweis Medical School in Budapest. He is one of the top voices globally on healthcare technology.

In this interview, Dr. Meskó shares how he identifies trends, vets sources, and what trends he is following with a focus on the metaverse and new medical technologies. He also shares what’s filling him with a sense of optimism.

Futurist Friday with Rebecca Ryan

Over the course of the summer of 2022, we are releasing 12 interviews with futurists and forward thinkers in order to help our global audience of leaders become better visionaries for their organizations and be more prepared for our uncertain future.

In this episode, Rebecca Ryan joins the show. Rebecca is a noted top 50 professional futurist, economist, best-selling author and entrepreneur. She is the founder of NEXT Generation Consulting through which she partners with government leaders across the country. Looking a generation ahead, she outlines strategies in urban planning, economic development and workforce development to ensure communities are well equipped for future trends and challenges. Rebecca is a graduate of Drake University with a certificate in Strategic Foresight from University of Houston; she is the Resident Futurist at the Alliance for Innovation and on the Executive Committee of the global Association of Professional Futurists.

Rebecca shares how she identifies trends, vets sources, what trends she is following with a focus on mental health and Artificial Intelligence, and what’s filling her with a sense of optimism.

Futurist Friday with Cecily Sommers

Over the course of the summer of 2022, we are releasing 12 interviews with futurists and forward thinkers in order to help our global audience of leaders become better visionaries for their organizations and be more prepared for our uncertain future.

In this episode, Cecily Sommers joins the show. Cecily is the author of "Think Like A Futurist" and has been named as one of the “Top 50 Female Futurists" by Forbes. She speaks, writes, and consults on the forces of change and the technologies shaping business and society, and how to turn them into catalysts for strategy.

In this discussion, Cecily shares how she identifies trends, vets sources, what trends she is following, and what’s filling her with a sense of optimism.

Servant Leadership with Ken Blanchard & Randy Conley

In this episode, Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley explain what servant leadership is, the benefits of servant leadership, how effective leaders help employees set and achieve goals, and the foundational importance of creating trust within an organization. They also discuss the importance of recognition, how vulnerable leaders are able to more quickly and effectively build trust, and how exceptional organizations have clear missions, visions, and values that are known by all employees.

Being CEO with Evamarie Schoenborn

In this episode, 12 Geniuses host Don MacPherson and guest Evamarie Schoenborn talk about the attributes of great leadership, they discuss how Evamarie honed her listening skills by emulating financial advisors with whom she worked, and she shares how she and her team led Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management through the pandemic. Evamarie describes her approach to talent management, assessment, and succession planning as CEO and she is candid about the challenges of being CEO, including the difficulty of transitioning into that role from another company. Evamarie also talks about creating a sense of belonging across the entire organization, why she spent so much time on developing others, and she leaves us with her thoughts on what she would like her legacy as a leader to be.

Dave Ulrich | Leading in a World of Unpredictable Disruption

In this episode, 12 Geniuses host Don MacPherson and guest Dave Ulrich talk about leading through disruption and crisis. They start off by discussing the attributes of good and great leadership. They talk about how leaders need to be aware of mental health challenges employees face and how those challenges influence the employee experience. They conclude the interview with a discussion about leading in crisis situations and Dave shares a model leaders can use to navigate any disruptive event.

12 Geniuses Podcast

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