In this episode, we welcome Dov Seidman, founder of LRN and one of the leading thinkers on moral leadership, organizational culture, and ethics in business. Dov shares his insights on the role of inspired leadership in shaping behavior, navigating challenges with values, and how businesses can thrive by focusing on humanity. From lessons on patience and trust to the future implications of AI, this conversation is packed with timeless wisdom and practical strategies for leaders and organizations alike.

Summary
What does it mean to lead with moral authority in today’s complex world? Dov Seidman has dedicated his life to answering this question. In this thought-provoking conversation, he discusses the intersection of leadership, philosophy, and organizational culture, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond compliance to foster inspired conduct. Dov explains how harmonizing required and inspired behavior creates a thriving workplace, touching on the power of trust, patience, and values-driven leadership.

We also explore real-world examples of leadership in action, from transforming corporate culture to the ethical responsibilities surrounding AI. Dov sheds light on the evolving expectations of leadership, particularly the need to cultivate meaningful relationships and embrace a “how matters” approach in business. With anecdotes and frameworks, he inspires listeners to rethink leadership as a human-centric endeavor that builds trust, promotes innovation, and drives long-term success.

About Dov Seidman:
Dov Seidman is a pioneer in ethical leadership and organizational culture. As the founder of LRN, he helps organizations align their practices with values and purpose to achieve long-term success. With a background in moral philosophy and law, Dov’s work bridges the gap between theory and practice, empowering businesses to navigate both compliance and inspired conduct. He is the author of the bestselling book How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything and a sought-after speaker on the future of leadership and culture.

Show Notes:
[0:00] Dov Seidman’s journey: from philosophy to founding LRN
[4:48] The philosophy of “how” and the importance of values-based behavior
[10:18] Harmonizing governance, culture, and leadership for success
[18:00] Leadership lessons from Ukraine and the democratization of leadership
[28:02] Transforming organizational culture through trust and moral clarity
[36:39] Measuring behavior: from compliance to inspired conduct
[47:04] The art of pausing: practical wisdom for better leadership
[55:35] Building a human operating system for today’s challenges
[1:02:09] The ethical challenges and opportunities of AI

References

• How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything by Dov Seidman
• LRN
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek
• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
• The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
• “The Role of Trust in Organizational Success” (Harvard Business Review)
• Research on the democratization of leadership post-pandemic (McKinsey)
• Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Max Tegmark
• “AI and the Moral Compass” (World Economic Forum)

In this episode, Ann Dunkin, Chief Information Officer at the Department of Energy, shares her inspiring journey across the corporate and government sectors. Ann discusses her leadership philosophy, the critical role of AI in reshaping energy and infrastructure, and the importance of diversity and collaboration. Whether you're a leader, tech enthusiast, or advocate for change, this episode offers invaluable insights and wisdom.

Summary
How do leaders navigate innovation in today’s complex landscape? Balancing modernization, sustainability, and human connection is no small feat—but Ann Dunkin shows us how it’s done.

Ann discusses her journey as CIO at the Department of Energy, exploring the intersections of leadership, technology, and organizational culture. Key topics include:

• Personal Influence and Leadership: Lessons from Hewlett-Packard and the HP Way.
• Innovation in Government: Modernizing systems with Workday and AI-driven grid management.
• Navigating Complexity: Fostering partnerships and managing diverse stakeholders.
• AI’s Role in the Future: Streamlining permitting and revolutionizing energy research.
• Workplace Culture and Diversity: Creating an inclusive, mission-driven environment.

Gain inspiration from a leader bridging technology and purpose!

About Ann Dunkin:
Ann Dunkin is the Chief Information Officer at the U.S. Department of Energy, where she leads efforts in modernization, cybersecurity, and AI. Previously, she was CIO at the EPA during the Obama administration and began her career at Hewlett-Packard, where the “HP Way” shaped her leadership style.

Show Notes:

• (0:00) Introduction and Ann’s career journey
• (3:21) Lessons from the HP Way and early influences
• (10:20) Transitioning to public sector leadership
• (22:59) Modernizing systems and addressing cybersecurity
• (29:12) AI’s role in energy grid innovation
• (36:24) Small modular reactors and clean energy
• (44:18) Building motivated teams and workplace satisfaction
• (54:34) Ann’s passions: books, Georgia Tech football, Formula One

References:

• One Mile at a Time - Travel Blog
• Washington Post 7 Podcast
• Marketplace Podcast
• Women Who Code
• Regulations.gov
• Make Me Smart Podcast
• Formula One Official Site

In today’s episode, futurist David Mattin, co-founder of The Exponentialist, discusses the evolving role of technology in shaping human behavior. From AI to robotics, David shares insights into how these innovations fulfill timeless human desires and the ethical challenges they bring. Whether you’re leading a business or exploring future trends, David offers practical advice on harnessing technology to drive meaningful change.

We all wish we had a better grasp on upcoming trends. Better yet, wouldn’t it be great to have a framework to anticipate trends, i.e. see into the future? If so, you'll love futurist, David Mattin. Among other topics, David and I cover:

• What is the critical role of understanding human needs in predicting the future?

• What is the evolving relationship between technology and human behavior?

• How are technologies like AI are not just tools but partners in fulfilling age-old human desires like connection, status, and convenience?

• What are the ethical challenges of rapid innovation, the decentralization of AI, and its impact on governance, creativity, and the workplace?

I hope you enjoy David’s thought-provoking perspectives and roadmap for thriving in a world shaped by exponential technological change!

David’s Bio:

David Mattin writes about the trends, ideas, innovations, and people set to reshape our shared future.

His work delves into the evolving relationship between technology and human behavior. With a rich background in journalism and history, David transitioned from covering technological revolutions at The Times to consulting global brands on the impact of emerging innovations. He is also co-founder of The Exponentialist, a research service created with RealVision that explores the exponential age of technology. David is passionate about helping individuals and organizations navigate transformative trends in AI, robotics, and beyond.

He gives practical and inspiring talks that bring these ideas to life and works with leading organisations to orient their innovation around the trends and futures scenarios that matter.

At the heart of his work is an attempt to understand this version of technological modernity. What is its nature? Where is it leading us? How can we make that future better for everyone?

His writing has appeared everywhere from The Times, to Quartz, to Google Think Quarterly, and David has written and presented documentaries for BBC Radio 4. Previously, David sat on the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Consumption.