Mark C. Thompson

This 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.

Join 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 le

Join 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 In this conversation, he shares insights on: • The Future of Achievement: Why traditional goal-setting is outdated in a world where young professionals will have 20 jobs and 7 careers on average.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 wi

Join Mark for the latest episode of the Chief Executive Summit, featuring Mike Clem, CEO of Sweetwater Sound, 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 rapi

Join 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

Join Mark for the latest episode of the Chief Executive Summit featuring Tom Gruber, co-creator of Siri and a pioneer in humanistic AI. This conversation dives deep into Tom's remarkable journey and the future of artificial intelligence, offering unique insights for leaders navigating this transformative era. Key Highlights: The Origins of Siri: Tom reflects on building Siri with a small team of 24 and the pivotal decision to join Apple, sharing personal anecdotes about working with Steve Jobs and embedding AI into the iPhone. AI's Role in Leadership: Discover how leaders can embrace AI to augment human capabilities rather than replace them, emphasizing collaboration and critical thinking in a tech-driven workplace. Humanistic AI: Tom advocates for AI systems designed to enhance human potential and address global challenges, from education to mental health care. Navigating Risks: Learn how to balance AI’s powerful potential with the ethical responsibility to prevent unintended consequences, such as misinfor

Join Mark on this week’s episode of the Chief Executive Podcast for an insightful discussion with Niren Chaudhary, former Chairman of the Board and CEO at Panera Brands, and David Reimer, CEO and Managing Partner of The ExCo Group. Niren and David share strategies for leading in an era of profound change and the evolving demands on today’s CEOs. Key takeaways include: The Evolving CEO Role David emphasizes the need for CEOs to stay adaptable in an ever-changing environment. Building a Resilient Pipeline Both leaders stress the importance of fostering curiosity and resilience in future executives, preparing them to lead in unpredictable times. Creating Psychological Safety Niren underscores the value of challenging ideas and embracing dissent: "Don’t tell me why you agree with me, tell me why you disagree." Data Meets Judgment Niren encourages leaders to use data for informed decisions but warns against waiting for perfection—act when "70% certain" and trust your judgment for the rest. Discover how t

Join Mark for an in-depth episode of the Chief Executive Summit featuring Melissa D. Smith, CEO of WEX. Over her decade of leadership, Melissa has transformed WEX into a powerhouse in the fintech space, driving innovation and growth while navigating major milestones like the company’s IPO and the challenges of the global pandemic. In this compelling conversation, Melissa delves into: Creating a Culture of Inclusivity: Melissa explains how fostering an environment where employees can be their authentic selves has helped WEX build diverse, high-performing teams. The Power of Strategic Risk-Taking: From large acquisitions to leveraging AI and data, she shares her approach to taking informed risks that propel the company forward. Developing Future Leaders: Melissa emphasizes the importance of clarity in talent development, outlining how WEX builds a strong leadership pipeline by focusing on both experience and behavior. Melissa's candid insights on resilience, innovation, and the future of fintech make this

Join Mark for the latest episode of the Chief Executive Summit featuring John Dickerson, renowned journalist, CBS News Prime Time anchor, and author. Together, they delve into the complexities of leadership in times of change and volatility. Through John's unique perspective, drawn from his experiences and his book 'The Hardest Job in the World', they explore various aspects of presidential leadership, including decision-making, the impact of media, team building, and adaptation to change. The dialogue also delves into the evolving role of CEOs and the intersection of politics and corporate America.

This week on the Chief Executive Summit, we are thrilled to share a conversation with Mark’s dear friend and inspiration, Curtis Martin, NFL Hall of Fame running back. Curtis overcame incredible challenges throughout his life, including poverty, violence, and the loss of loved ones. He'll share how these experiences shaped his approach to leadership and building trust. Key Takeaways: Vulnerability is Key: Curtis reveals the importance of vulnerability in building trust. Leading with Authenticity: He emphasizes the power of being a real leader, not one who's always right. The Strength of Listening: Understanding someone's pain is crucial for building trust, as Curtis demonstrates through a powerful story. Consistency is King: Trust is built through consistent actions, not just grand gestures. Don't miss this inspiring episode! Tune in to hear the full conversation with Curtis Martin.

Join Mark for the latest episode of the Chief Executive Podcast featuring his early interview with Jensen Huang, Co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA. Listen as he recounts his extraordinary journey from reform school in Kentucky to becoming a tech titan and visionary leader in the semiconductor industry. Reflecting on early experiences, Huang shares how they shaped his character and approach to adversity. Join us as we explore his inspiring story and pivotal moments that led to today's highly anticipated "AI Woodstock" event, where NVIDIA unveils its latest chips. Tune in to discover the evolution of NVIDIA and the technological advancements shaping our future.

Join us for the latest episode of the Chief Executive Summit Show hosted by Mark Thompson! In this exclusive interview, Adrian Mitchell, COO & CFO of Macy's, reveals the keys to transparent leadership, strategic trade-offs, and building a customer-centric approach. Discover valuable insights that can transform your business strategies and drive retail success. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from an industry expert.

Don't miss the latest episode of the Chief Executive Podcast! In this insightful conversation, Mark is joined by the legendary Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, the father of the executive coaching profession. They discuss the critical topic of "Adding Too Much Value" and why it's essential for leaders to resist the urge to constantly provide solutions. Marshall shares his wisdom and experiences, highlighting the importance of thoughtful restraint and empowering others. Discover how leaders can achieve greater effectiveness by focusing on commitment and creating a supportive environment.

Join us for an insightful discussion at the Chief Executive Summit hosted by Mark Thompson, featuring Aicha Evans, the CEO of Zoox. In this interview, Aicha shares her inspiring journey as a lifelong innovator. Discover the future of transportation with Zoox's self-driving electric robo-taxis, designed for safety, sustainability, and urban efficiency. Aicha also highlights her experiences as a first-time CEO, shedding light on the challenges of building a sustainable company and the importance of effective leadership and coaching. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a remarkable industry leader.

Tune in to the latest episode of the Chief Executive Summit podcast to hear Mark's conversation with Gordon E. Moore, co-founder and former chairman of Intel Corporation, who passed away recently at the age of 94. Moore was the mastermind behind Moore's Law, which predicted the doubling of the number of transistors on a silicon chip at regular intervals, paving the way for the exponential growth of computer data-processing power. Join Mark as he discusses Moore's Law and its impact on the high-tech industry with the man who saw the future. Don't miss this insightful conversation with one of the boldest and most creative technicians of the high-tech age. Tune in now to the Chief Executive Summit podcast to hear the full episode. #GordonEMoore #Moore'sLaw #IntelCoFounder #ChiefExecutiveSummit #podcast #high-techindustry

Happy International Day of Happiness! What better way to celebrate than by wishing a very happy birthday to the legendary Dr. Marshall Goldsmith? On this episode of the Chief Executive Podcast, Mark and Marshall dive into the topic of “No,” “But,” and “However.” Key insight in this episode: Coaching highly successful, hard-working, smart, dedicated, driven to achieve, stubborn, opinionated, know-it-alls – and the revealing little game Marshall plays with them called, “No,” “But,” and “However.” As two of the most influential voices in leadership and organizational behavior, Mark and Marshall have spent their careers empowering executives to make a difference in their organizations and beyond. Join Mark and Marshall as they share insights and principles that can help you become a better leader. Don't miss out on this enlightening episode of Chief Executive Podcast. Listen now!

Mark invites you to join him on the latest "Chief Executive Summit" Podcast with none other than the legendary Maya Angelou. In this episode, Maya shares her seven sacred promises that have guided her through life, inspiring millions of people along the way. As a prolific writer, award-winning activist, and one of the most influential poets of our time, Maya Angelou has reinvented herself over and over again, leaving a profound impact on the world. Mark was deeply moved by Maya's philosophy, spirit, and impact. After seeking her out and connecting with her, they had a transformative conversation in Maya's home in the American South. Join Mark as he delves deep into Maya's wisdom and gain insights that could change your life. Don't miss out on this powerful and inspiring episode of Chief Executive Podcast. Listen now!

In honor of International Women's Day, we're thrilled to present the fourth and final installment of our Women in Leadership series. Hosted by Mark and Dr. Bonita Thompson, a leader in Collaborative Leadership, this episode features four inspiring guests: Dr. Penny Patterson, Ann Wrixon, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, and Candice Carpenter. These incredible women are all visionaries in their respective fields, and they share how they created support and community for their visions, despite facing challenges and obstacles along the way. From building a strong network to embracing persistence and determination, their insights and experiences are truly eye-opening. Here are 4 key insights from the episode to get you started: Passion fuels success, drives over obstacles "Radical mentoring" creates extraordinary employee growth
Staying true to your values is essential for building and maintaining strong relationships Setbacks are opportunities for learning and growth Ready to be inspired? Tune in now to the "Chief Ex