Leadership Is Changing: A Global Look of Positive Podcast Guests

In a world of rapid transformation, one truth stands out: leadership is changing. And the best leadership podcasts aren’t just tracking that shift — they’re helping shape it.

That’s exactly why Positive Leadership, hosted by Jean-Philippe Courtois, deserves a front-row spot on your listening list. This podcast brings global leadership voices into honest, deep, and emotionally intelligent conversation. It offers the kind of clarity that today’s leaders — from executives to entrepreneurs — urgently need.

When I launched Off The Charts, I made a promise: to highlight podcasts that offer value, not just volume. And in a field where countless podcasts blur into surface-level inspiration, Positive Leadership is an outlier. It’s insightful, actionable, and rooted in purpose — a show that delivers the kind of leadership wisdom that helps people lead better, not just louder.

Redefining Leadership Through Podcasts

How the Positive Leadership Podcast Is Challenging Old Narratives

Forget top-down directives and ego-driven strategies. Positive Leadership introduces a new leadership playbook—one built on trust, empathy, collaboration, and authenticity. Each episode centers on how emotional intelligence and neuroscience can support leaders in making real impact, not just hitting metrics.

The show brings in global voices—entrepreneurs, executives, creators—who understand that leadership today is less about control and more about energy. That’s the shift: from authority to alignment. From domination to inspiration.

And it’s not just conversation for conversation’s sake. The podcast offers insight that’s relevant whether you’re leading a team, a community, a brand, or yourself.

Jean-Philippe Courtois and the Role of Purpose in Leadership

Jean-Philippe Courtois is more than a host—he’s a global leadership guide. As a longtime Microsoft executive and the founder of a social enterprise, he’s someone who’s lived both the corporate and impact worlds. His conversations reflect that dual experience, always bringing clarity, strategy, and heart.

What sets him apart is how he communicates. He doesn’t dominate. He listens. He elevates his guests, frames their stories with precision, and helps uncover actionable insights for every listener. His leadership mindset comes through in every episode—and it’s contagious in the best way.

He models the idea that leadership is about empowering others, not positioning oneself.

Episodes That Exemplify Leadership with Impact

From Wall Street to Social Change — Durreen Shahnaz’s Story

Durreen Shahnaz didn’t just pivot from profit to purpose — she built a bridge between them. As the founder of the world’s first social stock exchange, she’s helping investors direct capital to causes that matter.

In her episode, she reflects on her Wall Street beginnings and what it took to become a purpose-driven entrepreneur. She calls herself a “defiant optimist,” and it’s easy to see why. Her insights inspire leaders to ask bigger questions: What does my money do? Who does it serve? And how can I lead with clarity and compassion in complex systems?

Her episode is a powerful guide for anyone looking to build something meaningful that also makes a measurable difference.

Sustainability and Strategy with Fabio Barbosa

Fabio Barbosa’s name comes up often in sustainability circles — and for good reason. He’s the kind of executive who sees leadership as service. Whether at Banco Real or Natura &Co, his strategy has always centered regeneration, equity, and long-term growth.

In his episode, he talks about embedding sustainability into culture—not as an afterthought, but as a starting point. And he does it without sacrificing business results. That’s the magic: he proves that values and valuation can go hand in hand.

This is an episode every corporate leader should study. Because if the world is going to change, executives like Barbosa show us how.

Steve Ballmer on Evolving Leadership After the Corner Office

You think you know Steve Ballmer—until you hear him here. This isn’t the high-energy exec from the Microsoft keynote stage. It’s a quieter, more reflective Ballmer discussing what it means to lead after power, after title, after “success.”

He shares insights on legacy, personal growth, and what it takes to stay relevant and real in a world that constantly demands reinvention. It’s an honest look at transformation—from someone who has faced it head-on.

This episode is proof that leadership doesn’t end when the office door closes. It evolves.

The Latest in Leadership Podcasts

Why Emotional Intelligence Is the Future of Tech Leadership

Rana el Kaliouby isn’t just leading in tech — she’s reimagining what tech leadership could be. As a pioneer in emotion AI, she’s helping companies build tools that can understand and respond to human emotion.

Her episode dives into the implications: What if empathy became a design principle in product development? What if leaders in tech led with emotional intelligence as a strategic asset, not a personal bonus?

It’s forward-thinking and wildly practical—exactly what global leadership needs.

Natacha Calestrémé on the Inner Work of Leading Others

Natacha Calestrémé brings a different, but equally essential, message: before leading others, you have to understand yourself. Her work in emotional healing makes a compelling case that unresolved emotions don’t stay hidden—they show up in our leadership.

Her episode encourages listeners to do the inner work: face their fears, process adversity, and cultivate clarity. This isn’t self-help fluff. It’s deep, personal insight that transforms how we lead.

Because emotional strength isn’t optional for leaders anymore. It’s the foundation.

James Chen’s Vision for Global Change

James Chen is on a mission to help a billion people see clearly. Literally. Through moonshot philanthropy and strategic partnerships, he’s proving that clear vision isn’t just a metaphor—it’s a solvable global health issue.

His episode outlines how clarity, compassion, and entrepreneurial thinking can move mountains. It’s a roadmap for anyone looking to do big things with heart and focus.

Chen’s story reminds us that leadership doesn’t just live in the boardroom. It thrives in bold, clear action.

Why These Episodes Matter in Today’s Landscape

The Latest News on Global Leadership Trends

Post-pandemic, the world of leadership has been flipped upside down. Leaders are facing more complexity, more scrutiny, and more opportunity than ever before.

What Positive Leadership captures so well is the nuance of that change. It covers the emotional, cultural, strategic, and ethical layers of what it means to lead in 2025. These aren’t just headlines — they’re human stories that reflect the real latest news on global leadership.

Every episode helps leaders adapt with intelligence and integrity.

What Makes This Podcast Stand Out in a Crowded Field

In a sea of leadership podcasts, this one shines. Why? Because it doesn’t just deliver tips—it delivers transformation.

It’s diverse in voice, global in perspective, and rich in actionable content. Every guest is curated with care, and the conversations go beyond resume highlights. They dig into the mindset, courage, and clarity it takes to lead today.

This podcast isn’t trying to go viral. It’s trying to change lives. And that’s why it works.

Turning Insight into Action

Lessons from Positive Leadership You Can Apply Today

Every episode is a playbook. Whether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, consultant, or coach, there’s something here for you:

• Build cultures of trust and belonging.

• Integrate sustainability into your bottom line.

• Use emotional intelligence to navigate adversity.

• Lead through purpose—not pressure.

These lessons aren’t theory. They’re actionable, practical, and deeply needed in every sector today.

The Power of Podcasts in Changing Leadership Norms

Podcasts like Positive Leadership are reshaping how leaders learn. They’re portable, personal, and packed with expertise. But more than that—they help create community.

By listening in, you’re stepping into a global conversation about how leadership is evolving. You’re embracing growth, clarity, and change.

And in a world that’s moving fast, tuning into voices that offer wisdom—not just noise—is the smartest step a leader can take.

Final Thoughts

Leadership is changing. Fast. And the best way to stay ahead of the curve is to learn from those who are already living the future.

Positive Leadership is more than just a podcast, it’s a strategic resource, a source of insight, and a reminder that leadership, when done with clarity, purpose, and courage, can be a powerful force for good.

If you're looking to lead better, communicate more clearly, or create global impact, this podcast is a must. You can find this podcast in Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Make sure to also follow Jean for more insightful leadership content on LinkedIn.

Want help getting booked on shows like this? Head over to my homepage or fill out my discovery call form. Let's find the podcast platforms where your leadership story belongs.

Because this much is clear, leadership is changing. And it starts by listening.