When a market is stalling in innovation, an enchanting charismatic leaders selling a bold, crazy idea can be tempting. Is it, then, more important that the idea is visionary, or that it's attainable? In this Business Brief, Jo reflects on the fine line between bold innovation and unethical ambition, and why business leaders must stay vigilant about the dark patterns that distort progress.

Business Brief is a (very brief) new solo series hosted by Looking Outside podcast host, former-marketer and corporate futurist Jo Lepore.

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Learn more:

1. Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
2. Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & Substack & jolepore.com
3. Watch this Business Brief on YouTube

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⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!

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Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2026. Theme song by Adrian Walther.

Every organization, at some point, has their ethical boundaries tested. But there is a difference between an organization with ambition and drive, and one that pushes its people into unrealistic, unhealthy and disastrous behaviors in order to succeed. Today we’re talking about the slippery slope into destructive and dangerous corporate behavior, with professor of business ethics at HEC Lausanne, Guido Palazzo. Guido says the patterns into darkness are obvious, completely avoidable ... and quite counter to what we’re told makes for a successful corporate culture in business schools.

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Learn more:

1. Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
2. Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & Substack & jolepore.com
3. Connect with Guido on LinkedIn
4. Take Guido's online course on unethical decision making
5. Guido's book The Dark Pattern on Amazon

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⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!

---

Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2026. Theme song by Azteca X.

The path to the c-suite is predictable and almost entirely dependent on extensive commercial and operations literacy. But while marketers are relegated to the realm of creativity, not financial savviness, senior leaders lack the very skills they bring – curiosity. In this Business Brief, Jo reflects on the benefits of transdisciplinary skills and how curiosity can enable truly future-forward thinking to organizations caught up in short term thinking.

Business Brief is a (very brief) new solo series hosted by Looking Outside podcast host, former-marketer and corporate futurist Jo Lepore.

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Learn more:

1. Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.com
2. Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & Substack & jolepore.com
3. Watch this Business Brief on YouTube
4. Curious about foresight training? Take a look at organizational training and foresight courses we have at CIFS

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⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!

---

Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.

All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2026. Theme song by Adrian Walther.