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Here's the Deal | Leadership, Culture, and the Future of Work

Here's the Deal | Leadership, Culture, and the Future of Work

By: Shujaat Ahmad and Joselle Deocampo-Gautam
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Welcome to Here's the Deal, your go-to podcast to make sense of the toughest challenges in leadership, culture, and the future of work. Every month, join hosts Shujaat Ahmad and Joselle Deocampo-Gautam who are immigrants who broke through not only in some of the privy rooms in corporate America but also owned them with impact. They share their wealth of experience and actionable strategies at the intersection of culture, business, and technology to help others understand the real deal that is mostly unsaid, break through barriers, and design purposeful careers and lives.Shujaat Ahmad and Joselle Deocampo-Gautam Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Executive Presence Decoded: What It Really Is & How to Build It (in the AI Era)
    Jan 29 2026

    skool.com/leadwithoutblinders


    In this episode, Shujaat and Joselle explore the concept of executive presence, particularly in the context of the AI era. They discuss the importance of soft skills, communication, and the myths surrounding executive presence. The conversation emphasizes that executive presence is not just for senior leaders but can be developed by anyone. They provide a framework for understanding executive presence, which includes gravitas, appearance, and communication. The hosts also highlight the significance of empathy and business judgment in today's workplace, especially as AI becomes more prevalent. The episode concludes with practical tips for practicing executive presence and leveraging AI as a tool for improvement.


    Support our work and keep up with us online!

    Shujaat Ahmad's LinkedIn: / shujaatahmad

    Joselle Deocampo-Gautam's LinkedIn: / joselledeocampo-gautam


    Don't forget to subscribe to Here's The Deal monthly podcast for more insights on career growth and leadership, and our weekly AI and Future of Work mythbusting and tutorials for your career transformation with AI! / @belongandlead


    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction to Executive Presence

    01:53 Understanding Executive Presence in the AI Era

    09:48 Myths Surrounding Executive Presence

    14:39 Defining Executive Presence

    15:06 The Three Pillars of Executive Presence

    21:08 Why It Matters Even More In the AI Era

    26:28 Example From A High Stakes Consulting Engagement

    32:28 Practical Applications of Executive Presence

    37:41 Recognizing Executive Presence

    42:50 The Journey of Executive Presence

    51:11 Communication as a Foundation

    01:02:42 Leveraging AI for Executive Presence



    #executivepresence #AI #communication #leadership #careerdevelopment #softskills #negotiation #empathy #businessculture #personalbranding


    Listen also on YouTube, Apple Podcast, and Amazon Music.

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • How We Negotiated Unique Careers With Top Global Brands While Tackling Immigrant Challenges
    Nov 13 2025

    skool.com/leadwithoutblinders

    In this episode, Shujaat and Joselle delve into the critical yet often overlooked skill of negotiation in leadership. They discuss the importance of negotiation as a foundational skill for professionals, especially in today's dynamic job market. The conversation explores various frameworks for effective negotiation, real-world scenarios, and the unique challenges faced by immigrant leaders.


    The hosts emphasize the need for a strategic approach to negotiation, highlighting the significance of understanding the stakes, co-creating value, and the cultural influences that shape negotiation styles. They also discuss how AI can be leveraged to practice negotiation skills and the importance of personal branding in the negotiation process.


    Chapters


    00:00 Introduction to Leadership Insights

    01:11 The Importance of Negotiation in Leadership

    06:45 Framework for Effective Negotiation

    10:26 Real-World Negotiation Scenarios: Tough Job Market, Negotiating for Career Moves, and Negotiating for Flexibility

    21:55 Using AI for Negotiation

    24:36 Negotiating With Yourself When You Have Little Leverage

    27:56 Negotiation as a Leadership Skill

    30:32 Negotiation Challenges for Immigrants

    39:00 Wrap Up


    #ai #leadership #negotiationskills #career #immigrants #personaldevelopment

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    40 mins
  • Personal Branding in the AI era | S2 E3
    Oct 9 2025

    In this conversation, Shujaat and Joselle explore the critical importance of personal branding in today's job market, especially for immigrants.

    They discuss how branding shapes perceptions and influences career opportunities, emphasizing the need for individuals to actively manage their personal brand.

    The discussion covers strategies for building a brand, the impact of AI and social media, and the significance of thought leadership. The hosts provide actionable insights and frameworks for listeners to define and enhance their personal brand, ultimately encouraging them to take control of their narrative in the professional landscape.

    Don't forget to subscribe to Here's The Deal monthly podcast for more insights on career growth and leadership, and our weekly AI and Future of Work mythbusting and tutorials for your career transformation with AI!

    https://www.youtube.com/@belongandlead

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Branding

    03:20 The Importance of Personal Branding

    06:25 Defining Personal Branding

    08:53 Building Your Brand: Perception and Intentionality

    10:10 Framework for Defining Your Brand

    12:48 The Role of AI in Branding and Job Market

    15:54 Social Media and Professional Branding

    17:26 Using AI Tools for Personal Branding

    20:22 Conclusion: The Future of Branding in the Workplace

    27:19 Exploring Personal Branding and AI

    30:04 The Importance of Thought Leadership

    34:57 Navigating the Landscape of Branding

    38:37 The Immigrant Perspective on Branding

    45:09 Reframing Presence and Performance

    47:55 Strategies and Tactics for Effective Branding


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    56 mins
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