We’ve thrown the entire pantry at employee engagement from hot yoga to free snacks to branded hoodies, and somehow, people are still checking out. In today’s Leadership Spark, we call out the broken cycle of gimmicky engagement strategies and look at what actually drives loyalty, performance, and retention in the modern workplace. Spoiler: it’s not about giving people more stuff. It’s about giving them something to believe in. We’ll unpack why smart companies are ditching the perks arms race and building something better: a workplace that feels like an experience, not a transaction. If you're tired of short-term fixes and ready to build real culture, press play.

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This episode is sponsored by Workhuman.

Here’s a good question for you: Who in your marketing department is a flight risk? How about: Where are your talent or skills gaps? Or: Which employees make up your next generation of leaders?

If you couldn’t answer any of these, then you need to check out Human Intelligence™, from Workhuman.

By combining AI with the rich data of their #1 rated employee recognition platform, Human Intelligence unlocks insights and capabilities that redefine talent management, cultural transformation, and employee engagement.

Want to learn more? Go to workhuman.com and learn how today’s leading companies are turning AI into a force for good with Human Intelligence.

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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

AI is becoming more powerful and autonomous. What we once thought was a future trend is now reshaping how organizations are operating today. But the biggest risk of AI isn't replacement. More likely, it's reliance. Are you prepared for what's coming? In today's episode, Dr. Michael Chui, Senior Fellow at McKinsey and QuantumBlack AI, reveals how AI is rewriting the rules of competition, leadership, and even hiring structure. You’ll learn why over-relying on AI can erode human judgment and creativity, how to build organizations that balance human decision-making with machine efficiency, and why managing AI agents will soon be as important as managing people. Dr. Chui shares how leaders can prevent “silent automation” from taking over their teams, what skills future managers must develop (including prompt engineering and oversight), and how companies can redesign roles, workflows, and organizational structures to thrive in the era of agentic AI.

________________

This episode is sponsored by Workhuman.

Here’s a good question for you: Who in your marketing department is a flight risk? How about: Where are your talent or skills gaps? Or: Which employees make up your next generation of leaders?

If you couldn’t answer any of these, then you need to check out Human Intelligence™, from Workhuman.

By combining AI with the rich data of their #1 rated employee recognition platform, Human Intelligence unlocks insights and capabilities that redefine talent management, cultural transformation, and employee engagement.

Want to learn more? Go to workhuman.com and learn how today’s leading companies are turning AI into a force for good with Human Intelligence.

________________

Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/

Most leaders think vulnerability is risky, but avoiding it is far riskier. Despite all the research and talk about authenticity, only 11% of companies view vulnerability as a leadership strength—and 84% of employees rarely, if ever, see it practiced. That’s a problem. In today’s Leadership Spark, we explore what happens when leaders embrace vulnerability, and what’s lost when they don’t. Backed by my research across thousands of employees and organizations, you'll uncover in this episode how leading with vulnerability isn’t just about being authentic. It’s a strategy for building trust, connection, and lasting impact. You'll also learn how to balance confidence with openness, and why your team might be waiting for you to go first in being vulnerable.

________________

This episode is sponsored by Workhuman.

Here’s a good question for you: Who in your marketing department is a flight risk? How about: Where are your talent or skills gaps? Or: Which employees make up your next generation of leaders?

If you couldn’t answer any of these, then you need to check out Human Intelligence™, from Workhuman.

By combining AI with the rich data of their #1 rated employee recognition platform, Human Intelligence unlocks insights and capabilities that redefine talent management, cultural transformation, and employee engagement.

Want to learn more? Go to workhuman.com and learn how today’s leading companies are turning AI into a force for good with Human Intelligence.

________________

Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/