FranklinCovey On Leadership

Jeetu Patel: Lead Through AI or Risk Irrelevance

AI is reshaping organizations faster than most leaders expect. Jeetu Patel, President and Chief Product Officer at Cisco, explains why the future will favor companies—and professionals—who become dexterous with AI tools. He shares how Cisco transformed from a collection of acquired product “fiefdoms” into an integrated platform company, opened its ecosystem to partners, and embedded an AI-first mindset across a 30,000-person organization. Patel also explores how AI agents will change the nature of work, why leaders must distinguish megatrends from hype cycles, and how culture shifts require both top-down clarity and bottom-up participation. For leaders navigating technological disruption, the message is direct: embrace the tools, focus on meaningful problems, and build teams capable of adapting at scale.
 
FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.
 
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Dr. Vivek Murthy: The Loneliness Epidemic at Work

Loneliness is more than a personal struggle—it’s a measurable threat to creativity, productivity, and health. Dr. Vivek Murthy, former U.S. Surgeon General, explains why disconnection erodes workplace performance and why leaders must treat social connection as a strategic priority. Drawing on research and his own experience in public service, Murthy outlines practical ways organizations can foster belonging—from modeling relationship-first leadership to simple, structured storytelling rituals that humanize teams. He also addresses AI companions, youth mental health, and the unintended consequences of social media, challenging leaders to ensure technology augments—not replaces—human relationships. At a time when engagement and retention are at risk, this conversation reframes connection as a leadership imperative. Listen to explore how building community drives both well-being and results.
FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776
 

Kara Nortman: Founder Mentality in Women’s Sports

Kara Nortman built her career in traditional venture capital—then stepped away from the classic Silicon Valley model to co-found Angel City FC and later launch Monarch Collective, a $250 million fund investing in women’s sports. Her journey reveals what happens when curiosity, conviction, and community intersect. Nortman explains how applying a venture mindset to sports unlocked overlooked demand, why founder-market fit matters beyond tech, and how getting the right two or three people on a team can change everything. She also reflects on identity, risk, and the courage to leave a prestigious role to pursue deeper purpose. For leaders navigating reinvention, her message is clear: be intentional, build exceptional teams, and align impact with returns. Listen to learn how founder thinking can transform industries—and careers.
 
FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.
 
To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Zack Kass: Thriving in an Age of Unmetered Intelligence

As AI drives the cost of cognition toward zero, competing on intelligence alone will no longer be enough. Former OpenAI go-to-market leader Zack Kass argues we are entering a “next Renaissance,” where intelligence becomes abundant and leaders must rethink strategy, talent, and purpose. He distinguishes between incremental AI gains and exponential reinvention, challenges organizations to clarify mission over legacy methods, and warns against confusing hype with real transformation. Kass also explores the cultural barriers to adoption, the myth of AI-driven decline in critical thinking, and why human qualities—agency, empathy, courage, and creativity—will define leadership in a post-AI world. Listen to this episode of FranklinCovey On Leadership with Will Houghteling to explore how to lead when intelligence is no longer scarce.
 
FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.
 
To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Robert Sanchez: Turning Failure Into Competitive Advantage

Robert Sanchez, chairman and CEO of Ryder System, explains how a 90-year-old company stays relevant by deliberately embracing disruption. He walks through Ryder’s shift from a truck rental brand to a diversified transportation and logistics partner, detailing the strategic choices behind narrowing geographic focus, expanding asset-light services, and investing in technology. Sanchez also shares how leadership mindset shapes culture—especially the importance of giving people permission to try, fail, and learn without fear. From building trust across a 50,000-employee workforce to institutionalizing “important but not urgent” strategy work, this conversation offers practical lessons for leaders managing complexity, legacy businesses, and constant change. Listen now to explore how disciplined strategy, innovation, and a tolerance for failure can drive long-term performance.
 
FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.
 
To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

David Neeleman: Scaling Culture Without Losing the Soul

Serial airline founder David Neeleman shares what it really takes to build—and rebuild—extraordinary companies as they scale. From being fired at Southwest to founding JetBlue, Azul, and Breeze, Neeleman reflects on the crucible moments that shaped his leadership philosophy. He explains why culture decays without relentless communication, how servant leadership shows up in high-stakes, operationally complex environments, and what leaders must do to keep teams aligned as organizations grow from dozens to thousands. The conversation also explores ownership-first cultures, customer obsession, crisis leadership during JetBlue’s Valentine’s Day meltdown, and why clarity, discipline, and checklists matter when safety and trust are non-negotiable. Listen now to learn how leaders can grow fast without sacrificing purpose, people, or performance.
 
FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.
 
To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Julie Zhuo: Caring Without Lowering the Bar

Julie Zhuo, former VP of Product Design at Facebook and author of The Making of a Manager, reflects on the leadership lessons she learned while scaling with one of the world’s fastest-growing companies. She explains why great managers must hold high standards without becoming taskmasters—and how trust, feedback, and clarity determine whether teams merely comply or truly commit. Zhuo shares a defining moment of feedback that reshaped her approach to management, unpacks the shift from individual contributor to leader, and outlines the levers managers use to multiply impact through people, process, and purpose. The conversation also explores why leaders confuse niceness with kindness, how to create real clarity on teams, and what thoughtful experimentation looks like in the age of AI. Listen now to explore what it really means to expect a lot and care a lot.
 
FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.
 
To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Stephen M. R. Covey: Building Trust, Inspiring Teams, and Leading with Impact

Bestselling author of The Speed of Trust and Trust & Inspire, Stephen M. R. Covey, joins us to share lessons from growing up with Stephen R. Covey as a father, the early career experiences that taught him to trust himself, and the origins of his groundbreaking work on trust. He explains how trust transforms organizations, backed by research showing employees are 14x more engaged when they trust their leaders, and why leadership today requires not just building trust but also inspiring others. From the painful process of earning credibility to the neuroscience of trust, Stephen reveals why trust is the new currency of our time, how to move beyond command-and-control leadership, and what practical behaviors can help leaders scale influence, inspire their teams, and sustain results.
 
FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.
 
To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

BJ Fogg: Why Big Change Starts With Tiny Habits

Real behavior change rarely comes from willpower, motivation, or sudden insight. According to behavioral scientist BJ Fogg, it comes from design. In this conversation, Fogg explains why habits form when behaviors are made easy, anchored to existing routines, and reinforced through emotion—not repetition alone. Drawing on the Fogg Behavior Model (B=MAP), he challenges common leadership assumptions about motivation, consistency, and culture change. The discussion moves from personal habit formation to organizational behavior, showing how leaders can redesign environments to drive faster, more durable change at scale—from AI adoption to product design. Fogg also critiques popular habit frameworks and clarifies what actually wires habits into the brain. Listen now to learn how leaders can stop trying to motivate people and start designing for success.
 
Climbing the leadership ladder isn’t just about strategy—it’s about connection. Strengthen your communication skills with our latest guide: From Misunderstood to Magnetic: A Leader’s Guide to Clear Communication. https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-misunderstood-to-magnetic?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay
 
FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.
To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776

Todd Davis: Why Timeless Leadership Principles Still Win at Work

As leaders reset priorities for a new year, Todd Davis argues that progress doesn’t come from chasing trends—it comes from applying timeless principles with discipline. Drawing on three decades at FranklinCovey, Davis explains why Begin with the End in Mind and Put First Things First remain foundational for leaders navigating silos, hybrid work, and rising employee expectations. He challenges the idea that generational differences fundamentally change leadership, making the case that people still want the same things: trust, meaning, growth, and recognition. The conversation also explores why private victory must precede public victory, how weekly planning builds credibility, and why feedback only works when leaders make it safe to tell the truth. Listen now to revisit the leadership fundamentals that still drive results.
 
Level up your leadership and make every message count with proven communication strategies. Download our guide: From Misunderstood to Magnetic: A Leader’s Guide to Clear Communication. https://resources.franklincovey.com/c/tlg-misunderstood-to-magnetic?x=j4G37p&lb-mode=overlay
 
FranklinCovey’s world-class learning solutions—delivered Live-Online, On Demand, or Live In-Person—are designed to build exceptional leadership skills and enrich your culture at every level of your organization.
To learn more, email us at info@franklincovey.com, visit franklincovey.com, or call us at: 1-888-868-1776