What does it really take to lead well when the world—and the workplace—feels deeply divided? You’re invited into a thoughtful, grounded conversation with Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work, as we explore how trust, character, and everyday leadership behaviors shape cultures where people can thrive, no matter their differences.

You’ll hear why great leadership isn’t about perks or slogans, but about how consistently leaders listen, speak, thank, and show respect. Michael shares data-backed insights from decades of employee experience research, explains how companies earn Great Place to Work certification, and makes a compelling case that organizations that care for people—across demographics, beliefs, and roles—don’t just feel better to work in; they also perform better.

Michael is CEO of Great Place To Work, the global research and analytics firm that produces annual distinguished workplace rankings around the world, such as Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, the World’s Best Workplaces, and the 100 Best Workplaces for Women. Michael joined Great Place To Work as CEO in 2015, bringing 30 years of experience leading and growing organizations. Michael is driven by a love of business and an unwavering commitment to fair and equitable treatment.

You’ll discover:

• Why trust is the foundation of every great workplace
• The leadership behaviors that matter most to employees
• How Great Place to Work measures fairness for all
• What leaders must do differently in polarized times
• Why people-centered companies outperform long-term

Connect with Michael C. Bush

LinkedIn

Website

Great Place to Work

Book

A Great Place to Work for All

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What does it really mean to trust someone—and how intentional are you about the choices you make every day? You’ll rethink trust from the inside out as Charles Feltman challenges the idea that trust is vague or emotional and reframes it as a conscious decision to make something you value vulnerable to another person’s actions.

You’ll learn how trust works in both directions and why being trustworthy isn’t enough if you’re unwilling to extend trust to others. Charles shares a practical, behavior-based framework built around four key domains—care, sincerity, reliability, and competence—along with real workplace examples that show how trust can be strengthened, assessed, repaired, or rebuilt through honest conversation and clear commitments.

Charles has nearly three decades of experience helping leaders and teams build, maintain, and, when necessary, restore trust. He currently runs trust-building workshops under the banner of Trust at Work® and also speaks on the subject. An overarching goal in his work is that his clients achieve what they consider to be their full potential as leaders and as human beings. He is the author of The Thin Book® of Trust: An Essential Primer for Building Trust at Work. Currently in its 3rd edition, it has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide.

You’ll discover:

• How to define trust in clear, practical terms
• The four domains that determine whether trust grows or erodes
• Why focusing on behavior—not character—matters most
• How leaders can repair trust after a misstep
• A shared language that makes trust discussable at work

Connect with Charles Feltman

LinkedIn

Website

Insight Coaching

Books

The Thin Book of Trust, 3rd edition: An Essential Primer for Building Trust at Work

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What if leadership isn’t about confidence or visibility—but about building systems that expand access for others? In this episode, you’ll meet Jiayuan Tian, a social entrepreneur and graduate student at Columbia University SIPA, whose journey through global education reshaped how he understands inequality, opportunity, and leadership. After studying at Minerva University and living across cities around the world, Jiayuan discovered a paradox: the more global his education became, the clearer it was how inaccessible global learning remains for many, often due to invisible barriers like language fluency, insider knowledge, and financial flexibility.

That realization led him to co-found OneXplore, a youth-led organization designed to make global learning accessible and humane. Jiayuan shares how his view of leadership has evolved—from personal visibility to leadership as infrastructure: platforms, systems, and cultures that continue to serve people even when the founder steps away. You’ll hear why access itself is a leadership issue, why storytelling carries responsibility, and why leadership is always relational. This episode will invite you to rethink how you design opportunities, support young people, and build organizations that endure through shared ownership and trust.

Under Jiayuan’s leadership, OneXplore has grown into a community of more than 100,000 young people, with partnerships spanning universities, international organizations, embassies, and global nonprofits.

You’ll discover:

• How leadership can function as infrastructure, not personality
• Why access—not talent—is often the real barrier to opportunity
• What young leaders need most from mentors and employers
• How trust and storytelling shape sustainable organizations
• Why community is foundational to effective leadership

Connect with Jiayuan Tian

LinkedIn

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