How to Make a Leader

Leadership isn’t just something we learn. It’s something we step into, often in moments we don’t get to rehearse. Sharifa Austin is a Senior Director, People Development & Organizational Effectiveness at Universal Music Group. She approaches leadership as something to be designed, built for the moments that matter most. This approach has been shaped inside a global business where leadership is tested in real time. Her work reframes leadership through a performance lens: not as something to perfect, but something to prepare for with intention. In this episode, Sharifa shares her intentional leadership design framework: Soundcheck, Spotlight, Setlist, Showtime. Leaders, she'll tell you, aren't just soloists. They're conductors, shaping how others come in, align, and deliver.This episode was captured in front of a live audience, with audience Q&A included. About Sharifa Austin:Sharifa Austin is the Senior Director, People Development & Organizational Effectiveness at Universal Music Group. She is a leadership strategist known for designing innovative, business-aligned development experiences across some of the world’s most iconic music labels—including Interscope, Capitol, Def Jam, Republic, and Motown. At Universal Music Group, she has built and scaled a global leadership ecosystem that is reshaping how leaders grow, influence, and perform in high-pressure creative environments. Trusted by senior executives for her insight and strategic clarity, Sharifa blends cultural fluency with cutting-edge program design. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Specialization in Marketing from California State University Los Angeles and is a recognized as a thought partner in redefining leadership and people strategy for the next era of work.Connect with Sharifa on Linkedin.

Suzy Welch has helped thousands find clarity on the question: What am I meant to do with my life? In this conversation, she shares the 3-circle methodology behind her wildly popular “Becoming You” methodology, which she also teaches at NYU Stern School of Business. She explains why knowing your true values is more powerful than skills training alone, and offers a practical path to purpose, at any stage of your career.You’ll learn:Why most people don’t know their true values—and how to find yoursHow personal values, aptitudes, and economically viable interests intersect to reveal purposeHow value conflicts show up in leadership and career choicesWhy aligning personal and organizational values can transform teamsWhat leaders can do to help others live and work with purposeThis was our first ever live recorded podcast conversation in front of an audience - you’ll hear audience interaction throughout, and Q&A at the end of the episode. Take The Values Bridge test Suzy references here: https://thevaluesbridge.com/Read Suzy’s book, Becoming You here: https://www.suzywelch.com/books/becoming-you-the-proven-method-for-crafting-your-authentic-life-and-career/ About Suzy Welch:Suzy Welch is an award-winning NYU Stern School of Business professor, acclaimed management researcher, and New York Times best-selling author, most recently with “Becoming You: A Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career,” which is also a #1 bestseller on Amazon.A graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Business School, Professor Welch is a frequent guest of the Today Show and an op-ed contributor to the Wall Street Journal. Her podcast, “Becoming You” is one of America’s most listened to career podcasts. She serves on the boards of public and private companies, and is the Director of the NYU | Stern Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing.As the founder and CEO of Becoming You Labs, Professor Welch, who received her PhD in business from the University of Bristol, has developed several digital assessment tools, including The Values Bridge and PIE360. Two more assessment instruments, the Career Traits Compass and the Holland Bridge, are currently in the final stages of beta testing.

In this episode of How to Make a Leader, we're joined by Al Dea, founder of Edge of Work consulting and a respected voice in talent and leadership development. Al breaks down why true leadership success hinges on a human-centric approach focused on two essential drivers: viewing leaders as developers of people and building social capital within organizations.Drawing from his extensive experience as a consultant, keynote speaker, and podcast host, Al shares practical insights on how day-to-day leadership actions directly impact talent development. He challenges the notion that employee growth belongs solely to HR and L&D departments, revealing the common mistakes leaders make when developing their teams and offering actionable strategies that extend beyond traditional training programs.You'll discover:Why developing your people is the highest-impact leadership investmentPractical ways to implement human-centric leadership principlesHow to build and leverage social capital to enhance team performanceEffective development strategies that don't require formal training programsThings to listen for:(00:00) Introducing Al Dea(01:13) The evolution of workplace dynamics(07:10) Defining human-centric leadership in real terms(09:41) Leaders as developers of people(12:09) Building growth into your weekly workflow(15:28) How HR and L&D scale development(18:02) Why investing in people ultimately saves time(20:23) Common mistakes leaders make when developing others(25:02) How to build social capital (and why it matters)(31:26) A leadership development program that built real connections(34:35) How to measure development and social capitalTo learn more about Al and his work, check out his Linkedin profile, his website, and his podcast.Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/eventsWant to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

Can conflict actually make your team stronger?In this episode of How to Make a Leader, communication expert and Harvard Business Review podcast host Amy Gallo discusses the communication dynamics that shape high-performing professionals and teams. Amy shares strategies to build trust, improve collaboration, and ensure that even the toughest conversations lead to progress. Whether you’re a team leader, an aspiring manager, or someone navigating complex work relationships, this episode is packed with insights to strengthen your communication skills and leadership approach.You’ll learn:How high performing teams disagree respectfully and collaborativelyHow to approach difficult conversations in the workplaceStrategies to improve communication across remote, hybrid, and in-person teamsThe leadership mindset shift that drives long-term successThings to listen for:(00:00) Introducing Amy Gallo(01:39) Building trust quickly to enhance workplace communication(04:57) Three key principles for navigating workplace conflict(09:34) How remote and hybrid work impact workplace communication(13:31) Strategies to prevent miscommunication in digital environments(18:38) When to vent, when to wait, and when to take action(21:27) What distinguishes high-performing teams from struggling teams(24:49) Leadership strategies to encourage open and honest communication(29:08) Emotional regulation and its impact on leadership effectiveness(35:25) How societal tensions are influencing workplace interactions(39:39) Maintaining composure in high-conflict situations(44:13) Why connection should be a leadership priorityTo learn more about Amy and her work, check out her Linkedin profile, her website, and her podcast. Read Amy Gallo’s book: Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People).Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/eventsWant to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

How do you turn early talent into future leaders?Harvard career advisor and WSJ best-selling author Gorick Ng shares the “unspoken rules” of professional growth and talent development. From career navigation to building a diverse leadership pipeline, he shares real-world insights garnered from thousands of interviews with professionals and his advisory work with Fortune500 companies. Whether you’re working with early, mid-level or senior employees, Gorick offers actionable strategies to level the playing field and maximize potential in your workforce.You’ll learn:The “three Cs” framework for career successHow to align onboarding with retention and engagement goalsPractical steps to diversify your leadership pipelineThe five traits of successful leadersThe #1 piece of career advice (from a career advisor)Things to listen for:(00:00) Introducing Gorick Ng(01:25) Gorick’s personal journey and first-generation college experience(04:14) The important but unspoken rules of career navigation(05:07) A real-world story about visibility and career advancement(07:26) The “Three Cs” framework for professional success(09:48) Systemic barriers to career growth and access to tools(11:46) Preparing early-career professionals before day one(13:26) The role of peer mentors in effective onboarding(16:28) Creating psychological safety for early-stage professionals(20:44) How to engage mid-level managers to balance growth and burnout(24:58) Building lateral career movement opportunities within organizations(27:10) The power of recognition and feedback in employee engagement(29:38) Developing leadership pipelines with rotational programs(33:52) Expanding diversity in leadership through actionable steps(35:03) The value of vulnerability in leadership storytelling(37:25) Leadership traits and the balance between managing and leading(38:11) Gorick’s most memorable piece of career adviceTo learn more about Gorick and his work, check out his Linkedin profile and his website. If you’d like to purchase his book, The Unspoken Rules: Secrets to Starting your Career Off Right, you can check out this link. Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/eventsWant to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

Data. It’s loved by some, feared by many, but there’s no arguing that it’s an essential tool in a leader’s toolkit. But how do we turn numbers into knowledge?In this episode, Figma’s Eric Grant shares why data fluency isn’t all about the tools—it’s about hands-on practice. He explains how consistently working with data drives better learning insights and leadership decisions, and argues that understanding the data behind the tools matters most.You’ll learn:Lessons learned in data analytics from his time at Coinbase, Uber and Figma Why (and how) practicing with data is more valuable than relying on toolsWays to measure learning program impact (his answer might surprise you!)The transition of a workplace with not enough data to too much data New AI tools to watch out forThings to listen for:(00:00) Introduction to Eric Grant (06:53) How to use AI for data experimentation(09:34) The importance of data when tracking the success of learning programs(12:50) What L&D teams get wrong in measuring learning programs(15:56) Why surveys shouldn’t be anonymous (19:44) Key indicators when measuring performance(25:12) Measuring soft skills or company culture(33:45) Partnership's role in the successful measurement of learning programs(37:29) An adaptive learning project Eric’s working on (41:34) Data tools and resources reshaping L&D(44:46) AI for course creation and instructional design(45:19) Duolingo as an example of adaptive learningTo learn more about Eric and his work, check out his Linkedin profile or Figma’s website.Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/eventsWant to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

The challenge of leading multigenerational teams is gaining more and more attention. With up to five generations now sharing the modern workplace, how can leaders bridge the gap and leverage age diversity as a strength?Enter Chip Conley, founder of MEA (the world’s first midlife wisdom school) and Airbnb’s former advisor, hospitality strategist and resident “modern elder”. He draws on his experience joining the then-startup as a 52 year-old, navigating a youthful technology company as an experienced hospitality executive. In this episode, Chip offers actionable insights for any leader aiming to leverage generational diversity as a strength rather than a challenge.You’ll learn:How to embrace age diversity to create more collaborative and dynamic teamsHow Airbnb pioneered a “mutual mentorship” model to bridge generational gapsHow to be both an effective mentor and menteeHow to blend curiosity and wisdom in your leadership approachThings to listen for:(00:00) Wisdom is not taught, it's shared(02:40) What inspired Chip to found the “Modern Elder Academy”(09:28) How an intergenerational workforce changes the way that we interact and work with one another(12:08) The different types of mentorship(16:37) How to build a mentorship program(18:35) Being a “mentern,” both a mentor and internTo learn even more about Chip Conley’s approach to leadership, listen to the full interview. To learn more about the Modern Elder Academy, check out their website here. Order Chip’s most recent book, Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better With Age. Interested in attending our next live interview? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/eventsWant to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

In a world where change is the only constant, leaders must navigate their teams through uncertainty, inspire motivation, and maintain focus on collective goals. The modern leader is constantly faced with making decisions that will impact both the business, and the people working within it. Questions like: How do you navigate a corporate acquisition successfully? How do you adapt to constant technological innovation and the change that goes along with it? Ginni Rometty sums it up with one simple concept: Trust. As the former chairman, president, and CEO of IBM, Ginni Rometty draws on her eight years of experience at the helm of one of the largest technology companies in the world to share lessons she’s learned in leadership throughout her career. In this episode of How to Make a Leader, Ginni offers her insights on the crucial role of trust in leadership, drawn from her book, Good Power.Together, we explore Ginni's five key principles of how to use power for good to build trust and lead through change, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and a growth mindset. For an extra bit of insight, we asked attendees at the recent Association for Talent and Development conference for their thoughts on the top skills necessary for successful leadership, and how trust plays a role in leadership development. For more from Ginni Rometty watch the full How to Make a Leader live interview. Interested in attending our next live interview? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/eventsWant to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plusBuy Ginni's book, Good Power: https://ginnirometty.com/Support OneTen - https://oneten.org/about-us/our-approach/In this episode, you’ll learn:How to promote transparency and honesty in your team through regular communication techniques. Strategies to engage your team emotionally as well as intellectually through co-creation practices.The importance of focusing on skills and aptitude in hiring decisions to create a more inclusive and adaptable workforce.Clear principles for technology use that prioritize transparency, fairness, and empowering people.Things to listen for:(05:22) Lessons learned in building employee trust after a significant IBM acquisition.(11:36) Why Ginni values continuous learning in leadership decisions.(15:49) How using data helps you avoid bias and build transparency.(18:43) Building psychological safety and trust through communication.