Dear Culturati Insider,
In private conversations lately, there's a reoccurring admission from even the most seasoned leaders: It's getting harder to know if I'm getting this right. The ground beneath us isn't just shifting—it's being reshaped. Political shocks now account for nearly half of the variation in corporate financial performance (BCG). AI is proving useful but imperfect, exposing blind spots as often as it fills them. Even the stubborn tug-of-war between hybrid flexibility and office mandates signals deeper anxieties about trust, productivity, and how employees truly thrive.
As we finalize preparations for our upcoming Culturati: Summit, I find myself returning to one of our core beliefs: true leadership is more about finding the right questions than the "right" answers...a lesson instilled in Eugene by one of his earliest mentors and one he has since mentored in me. This takes courage—and trust—to openly discuss what we haven’t figured out yet, key components for our peer-to-peer conversations that can surface doubts as readily as insights.
Our theme, Building Purpose, Agency & Trust, comes straight from these discussions and is an active process of empowering leadership relevance and reinvention. We know that the most effective leaders aren’t the ones with the most certainty—they’re the ones willing to challenge their own assumptions, rethink their influence, and adapt before the world changes again. These are the types of conversations we’ll be having, both on stage and behind closed doors. The real question is: what uncomfortable truth will we admit to ourselves next?
As always, the Summit is about leaders supporting leaders. We intentionally strip away the polished veneer, encouraging vulnerability, humility, and a shared exploration of what genuine leadership means now. Our aim isn’t easy answers but real, unfiltered dialogue on building purpose-driven, adaptive cultures ready to handle whatever comes next. And perhaps that’s the most powerful act of leadership right now: admitting out loud that that we are in uncertain times and may need to adopt new approaches.
In shared trust,
Myste Wylde, COO
How to Strategize in an Out-of-Control World
MIT Sloan Management Review By Adam Job, Nikolaus S. Lang, Ulrich Pidun, and Martin Reeves
Summary: Political shocks now drive 43% of profitability variance among companies (BCG), making them a key determinant of business performance. With policy shifts occurring at unprecedented speed—reshaping trade, labor laws, and climate commitments overnight—leaders must move beyond reactive crisis management. This demands real-time political analysis, scenario planning, and early-warning systems like Tetra Pak’s 40+ global indicators. Resilience requires diversified supply chains, financial buffers, and proactive engagement where companies can shape outcomes. Political risk isn’t just an external force to endure—it’s a strategic variable that, when navigated with foresight, can determine market position and long-term success, reinforcing a culture of adaptability and trust. |
When AI Gets a Board Seat
Harvard Business Review By Christian Stadler and Martin Reeves
Summary: AI in executive decision-making is no longer theoretical—real-world experiments show both its potential and its limits. A study at Giesswein, an $85M Austrian company, found that AI enriched strategic discussions but only when actively guided by engaged leaders. While AI disrupted entrenched thinking and accelerated decision-making, it also created an illusion of completeness, requiring critical oversight. The biggest gains were in breaking cognitive blind spots, reducing research time, and providing structured prompts, but unsupervised AI produced generic insights. The takeaway? AI isn’t a boardroom substitute—it’s a tool that, when used strategically, expands human intelligence rather than replacing it. |
This is COVID-19’s Most Lasting Legacy on the Way We Work
Are Senior Leaders Becoming Obsolete? The Management Shift Reshaping Corporate America
Fortune By Ruth Umoh and Lily Mae Lazarus
Summary: Traditional management is fading as AI, automation, and digital-first work reshape corporate structures, but senior leadership isn’t obsolete—it’s evolving. Rishad Tobaccowala argues that leaders who cling to authority and oversight will struggle, while those who adapt will thrive. AI can automate tasks, but it can’t replace strategic vision, crisis leadership, or cultural stewardship. The leaders of the future will embrace a growth mindset, pivot quickly in uncertainty, and commit to continuous learning. As companies streamline management layers, those who rethink their value—focusing on alignment, agility, and innovation—will define the next era of leadership. |
Having This Kind of Mindset as a Leader Is the Key to Inspiring Teams, Creating Meaningful Impact and Achieving Lasting Success
Entrepreneur By Marc Kielburger
Summary: Conscious leadership is the practice of leading with self-awareness, clarity, and a commitment to long-term impact rather than short-term gains. It requires leaders to align decisions with purpose, communicate values consistently, and foster a culture of trust and growth. Satya Nadella and John Mackey exemplify this approach, with Microsoft’s stock rising 969% under Nadella’s tenure. Research shows that companies with strong, values-driven cultures outperform financially and retain top talent. Leaders who cultivate self-awareness, prioritize meaningful impact, and embrace continuous learning build organizations that thrive—even in times of uncertainty. |
Relive any of our webinars anytime at Culturati: On Demand, our searchable video library. This session explores how leaders can leverage AI to make smarter, faster, and more strategic decisions, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions. Geoff introduced the "CRIT" framework—Context, Role, Interview, and Task—as a method to harness AI effectively, positioning AI as a thought partner rather than just a tool. Key highlights included practical examples on stress-testing strategic plans, aligning executive teams, and fostering cultures of growth and innovation through intentional use of AI. Stay tuned for more insights on harnessing AI to enhance organizational culture and performance.
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LEADERSHIP AND CULTURE
C-SUITE
EMPLOYEES
A.I. AND TECHNOLOGY
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, BELONGING
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