We’ve all had that moment: working at a job we dislike, then moving to a nearly identical role at a different company, and suddenly loving it. The work didn’t change, the industry didn’t change, and the location didn’t change. So what did? The answer is the environment. In today’s Leadership Spark, we explore why employee experience has become the foundation of modern workplaces. Drawing on research, case studies, and over 150 executive interviews, I share why employee experience is not about perks, but about fundamentally changing how organizations shape the environment in which work gets done. Every employee’s experience comes down to three things: culture, technology, and physical space. Organizations can’t control the work employees choose to do, but they can control the environment around it, and that environment determines whether people love or hate their jobs.

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The future of work is unfolding faster than anyone expected, and leaders are scrambling to keep up. In this special Best of the Quarter episode, we revisit two standout conversations that tackle the future of work from very different, yet complementary angles. Charlotte Eaton, Chief People Officer at Arm, shares how the company is rolling out AI tools to thousands of employees, the cultural shifts required to keep pace with rapid technological change, and the risks of outsourcing human thinking to machines. Joe Hart, President and CEO of Dale Carnegie, explores why timeless human skills like empathy, trust, and confidence are more vital than ever, especially as younger generations enter the workforce and AI reshapes how we work. Together, these episodes reveal that the future of work isn’t about choosing between people or technology—it’s about how leaders bring both together.

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Bad leadership doesn’t just hurt engagement. It can literally hurt people. Studies show that working under a poor leader is one of the leading causes of stress, contributing to health issues like cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, great leaders don’t just make work enjoyable. They shape culture, values, and even society itself. In today’s Leadership Spark, I explore why leadership matters more than ever and what it will take to be a leader in the future. I share insights from my extensive research, including interviews with 140 CEOs from some of the world’s biggest organizations and a global LinkedIn study with nearly 14,000 employees. Together, these conversations reveal how leadership is being redefined in the face of AI, globalization, and the changing expectations of employees, and why every leader needs to rethink their role as a lighthouse for the future.

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