Microsoft's Brad Smith: Tech blindspots and the key lesson that changed how he leads

Leaders today face climate havoc, geopolitical instability and a 'more chaotic form of globalization,' said David Miliband, the president and chief executive officer of humanitarian organization International Rescue Committee. On this recent Meet the Leader, he explains how leaders can navigate this more disordered world and an 'age of impunity' – a trend he's tracked for years where some seem less accountable to the power they yield. He explains the challenge he sees for leaders of all stripes in the near future, giving practical advice on how leaders can stay accountable to the big picture and better meet the moment to craft tactical strategies and drive cooperation for positive change.  This interview was recorded October 2025 in the World Economic Forum New York Office. About this episode: International Rescue Committee: https://help.rescue.org/ Related podcasts: What most people get wrong about progress: Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2IJjZs4E7A&t=51s Read: https://tinyurl.com/3smrwev9 We're 'losing the war' on modern slavery: What leaders can do - HPE's John Schultz Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlXggC3o08I&t=1s Read: https://tinyurl.com/488aupcn  

What do startup founders, CEOs of multinationals and Harvard professors have in common? They can all name a book that has changed how they live, think or lead. In this annual roundup episode, look for your new read (or a gift for that hard-to-buy for person on your list) from the recommendations of the world's top thinkers and change makers. Our annual books roundup collects books that have transformed how some of the top global leaders manage teams, get inspired, and make things happen. This year's recommendations include fresh takes on classic business books, histories, time-honored works of literature, and new favorites that can change how you build and lead.  About this episode:  Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/2025-book-recommendations-leaders Books and leaders in this episode: Books to deepen your understanding of the world -Angela Odour Lungati, Ushahidi Book: The Power of Geography, Tim Marshall -Sherry Madera ,CEO, CDP Book: Pricing the Priceless: The Financial Transformation to Value the Planet, Solve the Climate Crisis, and Protect Our Most Precious Assets, Paula DiPerna -Sanjeev Mankotia, CEO, Gaeastar Book: Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, Walter Isaacson -Jumana Al Hashat, CEO and co-founder, Voltaire.aiBook: The Message, Ta-Nehisi Coates -Alicia Chong Rodriguez, founder, Bloomer Tech Book: The Vagina Business, Marina Gerner Books to understand the moment we're in -Nathan Metenier, co-director, Youth Climate Justice fund Book: Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World, Naomi Klein -Steven Pinker, Harvard cognitive psychologist and author Book: The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World, David Deutsch Books to teach you more about yourself -Kian Katanforoosh, CEO, Workera Book: The Molecule of More, Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long -Diallo Powell is the CEO and Co-Founder, Stak Mobility Book: It's Sid Bernstein Calling, Arthur Aaron -Liz Centoni, Cisco Book: The Courage to Be Disliked Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi Books to inform how you'll lead -Adam Grant, author and Wharton organizational psychologist Book: Calling In, Loretta J. Ross Book: Validation, Caroline Flack -Alfred Stern, CEO, OMV Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carol Dweck -Ayumi Moore Aoki, Who, Not How Books that help you meet the moment-Mohit Joshi, CEO, Tech Mahindra Book; Meditations for Mortals, Oliver Burkeman -Nadya Okamoto, Founder, August Book: Pleasure Activism, The Politics of Feeling Good, Adrienne Maree Brown -David Steinbach, CIO, Hines Author: Viktor Frankl  

Today, Gary Tyler is a renowned fiber artist and activist. But he was once the youngest person on death row in the U.S., a man unjustly incarcerated at just age 17. He talks with World Economic Forum video producer Kateryna Gordiychuk about how his experience in prison introduced him to the medium and shapes his creative expression. While incarcerated, during the AIDs epidemic, Gary worked as a volunteer in one of the first prison hospice programs in the country. The need to fund the program led Gary to learn quilting to help raise money that could aid both the dying men and their families who wouldn't be able to travel to see their loved ones otherwise. The experience drove home for Gary the need for mercy and advocacy in systems where people cannot advocate for themselves. Today, his art explores themes of freedom and individuality and he speaks frequently on the contributions any individual can make, regardless of their circumstance. This interview was recorded at the Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland January 2025. About this episode: About Gary's Art: Library Street Collective: lscgallery.com Episode transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/gary-tyler-artist-activist Related Podcasts: Meet The Leader - Ballerina Misty Copeland: Unlocking potential and a leader's most 'vital' role https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNwmJJMRt4o&t=1s Meet The Leader -  'I'll show you a real leader' - Platon, the photographer of power, on finding humanity in all of us https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIUGFUza2ec&t=117s Meet the Leader - Adam Grant: Future leaders won't succeed without this key trait https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buVVIpttzUA

In her role as President, Arts, Culture & Heritage at CHANEL, Yana Peel thinks deeply about the value of the arts across society and what's needed to amplify a range of voices. She talks to Gayle Markovitz, the Head of Written and Audio Content at the World Economic Forum, about how technological shifts could boost the value of human creativity and why collaboration with artists has never been more essential to a host of sectors. She also takes us through her unconventional background, one that includes study at the London School of Economics and a turn on the Goldman Sachs trading floor before co-founding the Outset Contemporary Art Fund or serving as CEO for London's Serpentine Galleries. In this special conversation, she shares what she has learned from both artists and business leaders about the critical role arts and culture play in attracting capital, driving social change and fueling innovation. This episode was recorded at the 2025 Annual Meeting at Davos, Switzerland. Yana Peel was invited as as a Cultural Leader as part of the arts & culture programme.  About this episode: Chanel Culture Fund: https://www.chanel.com/us/chanel-culture-fund/ Chanel Connects https://www.chanel.com/us/chanel-connects/season-5/ Episode transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/yana-peel-chanel-art-ai-future/ Related Podcasts: Meet The Leader - Ballerina Misty Copeland: Unlocking potential and a leader's most 'vital' role Read here:  https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/misty-copeland-ballet-leadership-skills/ Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SDZWco6fE6cJlziDid8iu?go=1&sp_cid=01e8f5e22b1a6834bc34234353341751&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=824d7fc8a1944800 Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNwmJJMRt4o&t=1s 'I'll show you a real leader' - Platon, the photographer of power, on finding humanity in all of usRead here: https://tinyurl.com/2s4372wc Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/3r9xrpftfdfc40499c Watch here: https://tinyurl.com/yr44h49y  

Space has become a junkyard, a mess of millions of pieces of debris that pose big risks to spacecrafts, complicating astronaut safety, research and even our own connectivity back home. Daniel Faber is the CEO of Orbit Fab, a company whose technology will allow for satellites to refuel once in orbit. He'll explain why this solution can be critical to tackling space debris while also helping to save lives, boost research and even supercharge the space economy. About this episode:  Orbit Fab: https://www.orbitfab.com/ Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/daniel-faber-orbit-fab-space-economy Related report: Report: Space: The $1.8 Trillion Opportunity for Global Economic Growth: https://www.weforum.org/publications/space-the-1-8-trillion-opportunity-for-global-economic-growth/ Related Podcasts  Meet the startup building the first commercial space station: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/tejpaul-bhatia-space-economy-axiom/ An energy company is building the world's largest airplane. Here's why: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/mark-lundstrom-radia-climate-change/ This former astronaut shares what's key to building strong, effective teams:: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1BvAcXlFqExORF2eZNjcLQ?go=1&sp_cid=01e8f5e22b1a6834bc34234353341751&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=269a6c9f8a3a4b02  

As cyber threats and geopolitical risks intensify, how can organizations be nimble and outsmart the next cyber attack? In this episode, seasoned data protection and cyber law expert Vinod Bange breaks down the threats that are still overlooked – including a new understanding of influence in social engineering – and the questions that leaders should ask themselves to ensure their teams are truly nimble and cyber ready. This Baker McKenzie partner also shares the unique methods that business and government are employing to work together to share best practices and strategies, all while breaking down why this sort of collaboration has traditionally been slow to happen. About this episode:  Baker McKenzie: https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/ Global Disputes Forecast: https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/insight/publications/2025/01/global-disputes-forecast-2025 Related report:  Cybercrime Atlas: Impact Report 2025: https://initiatives.weforum.org/cybercrime-atlas/home Related podcasts:  Radio Davos: New era, new mood, new challenges Read: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/adam-tooze-cnbc-china-us-history/ Listen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4byCozwrPwSDRGexzSpOIv?go=1&sp_cid=01e8f5e22b1a6834bc34234353341751&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=21eda2cf5c3c4932 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOlOPL3woKA Meet the Leader: AI will reshape knowledge work. What leaders should ask, do and learn now:  Read: https://tinyurl.com/ydfed937 Listen: https://tinyurl.com/ycxh9zer Watch: https://youtu.be/GCo7czq2yXI

Software development and software engineering could be the first major economically valuable capability that closes the gap between humans and AI, says Eiso Kant, the CTO of frontier AI company poolside. He shares what these changes mean for technology and the sector, and for knowledge work generally. Eiso stays cautious about tech forecasts and predictions, but breaks down how worry and fear can be a motivator to drive true learning and understanding in a fast-moving era, sharing and questions we should ask and mindsets we should apply to understand how we can uniquely contribute to societies and economies in the years ahead as technologies reshape human roles. This interview was recorded in  January 2025 at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. About this episode: https://poolside.ai/ Related report: Future of Jobs 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/ Related episodes: Radio Davos: Do you need an AI mentor? This tech entrepreneur thinks so Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I0CNHlS7f4 Read here: https://tinyurl.com/28z7cmtt Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/y7yshdad Meet The Leader: This company launched with $600 a decade ago. How it's using data and AI to boost yields for millions of small-scale farmers Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkOu9As6J60 Read here: https://tinyurl.com/bdz69j65Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/bcmj6572

Sustainability goals take more than will -- they take culture change and block and tackle approaches. Microsoft announced a host of big commitments in 2020 for the decade ahead, including a goal to be carbon negative and another to reduce emissions by 55%. Procurement and supply chains played a key role in these goals and former supply chain exec Donna Warton shares the moves that have helped secure leader buy-in, drive proactive thinking and help make sustainability a business imperative and not just a "one-off" project. She'll also explain the role an internal carbon tax has played in driving incentives, the challenge AI brings in staying on track for emissions goals, and what's been effective to force the right conversations in product design and at the supplier level to reduce waste and tackle emissions. About this episode: Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/microsoft-donna-warton-procurement Related Report: Green Procurement Playbook: The CPO's Guide to Delivering for People and Planet: https://www.weforum.org/publications/green-procurement-playbook-the-cpo-s-guide-to-delivering-value-for-business-and-planet/ Related episodes: 3 shifts all effective collaborators make https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/3-shifts-all-effective-collaborators-make/ Bridging AI's 'woeful' data gap can save lives and tackle climate change: Gecko Robotics: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/jake-loosarian-gecko-robotics-data-gap-ai/  

This pioneering researcher-turned-climate activist who died this week reshaped how we see the natural world and how humans understand their place on this earth. We revisit our 2021 interview with Jane and the unique way she approached climate communications to find common ground, broach difficult topics and inspire millions. We also talk to Gill Einhorn, head of the World Economic Forum's 1t.org, who explains how Jane worked with that restoration and conservation initiative, sharing how Jane collaborated and forged connections behind the scenes, what leaders can learn, and how we can take her legacy forward.   Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts:  YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552 Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

What's needed to deliver the carbon removal needed to meet key emissions targets in the years ahead? Charm Industrial CEO Peter Reinhardt helps explain what carbon removal and sequestration are and what's needed to scale these further – including the incentive gaps that must be bridged for progress. He'll also share how he and his three roommates from MIT became startup founders together – and how they've stayed friends and partners since, and how they leveraged each person's unique skillsets. He also explains how key moments have helped him sharpen his focus and priorities, and how a CEO coach has helped him develop as a leader.  About this episode:  Charm Industrial: https://charmindustrial.com/ Epsiode transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/peter-reinhardt-charm-industrial-cabon-capture Related report:  Defossilizing Industry: Considerations for Scaling-up Carbon Capture and Utilization Pathways: https://www.weforum.org/publications/defossilizing-industry-considerations-for-scaling-up-carbon-capture-and-utilization-pathways/ Related episodes:  'Do it nearly right, but now' - How effective leaders navigate change and disrupt sectors: Disruption Report:  Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/simon-freakley-alixpartners-disruption-index/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/443s16GQ3cBzgI3akxzzIq?go=1&sp_cid=974f0d02895cc3e5dc6ee274371893a7&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=a279d80799654118 A CEO coach shares new leaders' biggest blindspots (and how to overcome them):Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/ceo-coach-shares-new-leader-blindspots/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YG6HujYmc4IrD3JSGnyOh?go=1&sp_cid=974f0d02895cc3e5dc6ee274371893a7&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=d0d22380bec54bb7