Mark Thompson, the #1 CEO coach globally, joins Michelle Johnston to unpack what it truly means to be “CEO Ready” amid today’s relentless pace of seismic change. Recorded in the bustling backdrop of Amsterdam Airport, Mark shares real-world insights from coaching high-profile leaders across the world’s most transformative organizations, including Amazon, Virgin, Google, Schwab, and Zoox.

With charm, candor, and clarity, Mark dives into what makes great leaders stand out: emotional connection, relentless learning, and a clear sense of service. He unpacks the concept of driverless leadership—both metaphorically and literally—as he reflects on his work with Zoox and the societal shift from control to connection. Michelle and Mark explore how AI is reshaping our lives, why CEOs must now lead with humanity, and how leaders must give up independence to gain greater impact through collaboration.

You’ll hear stories featuring Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Arthur Levinson, and even astronaut training on the Zero-G “vomit comet.” Mark also reveals his latest personal challenge: completing his doctoral degree and writing his new book, CEO Readiness, for Harvard Business Review Press. He outlines the R.E.A.D.Y. model—Relationships, External perspective, Agility, Differentiation, and Your Why—providing a practical roadmap for anyone aspiring to lead with purpose.

This episode is a masterclass in modern leadership. It's about redefining success, reimagining influence, and remembering what matters most: human connection, legacy, and the courage to evolve.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Letting Go of the Old Paradigm
00:24 Michelle Introduces Mark Thompson
02:46 Mark Reflects on Coaching Top CEOs
03:29 The Secret Sauce of Coaching Success
05:49 Why Alignment and Commitment Matter
06:48 Seismic Shifts in Leadership
07:33 Navigating Constant Change
08:40 Zoox, AI, and Driverless Culture
11:38 From Drivers to Passengers
12:27 Reclaiming Connection Over Control
14:29 Letting Robots Handle the Risk
15:23 Redefining Leadership in the AI Era
16:01 Richard Branson, Bezos & Launching Ventures
19:24 Marshall Goldsmith’s Advice and Legacy
21:15 Leaving Schwab to Fund the Future
23:20 The Journey Toward Space
25:59 Inside the Making of CEO Readiness
29:15 Should You Even Be a CEO?
32:13 Legacy, Impact, and Purpose
32:53 Lessons from the All-Star Team
36:59 Best Practices for Leadership Excellence
37:18 The R.E.A.D.Y. Framework for CEO Success
39:53 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
40:17 Gratitude and Book Launch Celebration

Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Heart's On Fire

Follow Michelle for more inspiring content:

Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSeismicShiftwithMichelle
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnston-0264b5b
Instagram: instagram.com/michellekjohnston
Website: https://michellekjohnston.com/

Leadership today demands more than command and control. In this powerful conversation between Michelle and bestselling author Selena Rezvani, the two explore what it takes to lead in a way that’s sustainable, human, and effective in the modern workplace. Selena shares the deeply personal story behind her passion for people-first leadership—losing her father at 13 due to work-induced stress—and how that moment shaped her mission to reduce suffering at work. Her new book, Quick Leadership, is a practical guide for leaders who want to build trust, empower teams, and lead with compassion, all without sacrificing performance. Michelle and Selena explore specific, tactical leadership advice and emphasize the need for psychological safety, authentic storytelling, and co-creation, especially as Gen Z emerges as a significant force in the workforce. If you're a manager, team leader, or aspiring changemaker, this episode will leave you equipped and inspired to show up differently—smarter, more human, and more effective.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome & Selena's Book Launch
01:00 The Personal Story Behind Selena's Mission
03:00 What It Means to Reduce Suffering at Work
05:00 Quick Leadership Tip: Ask 3 Before You Answer
07:30 Give Praise Like Confetti
10:00 Why Leaders Resist Human-Centered Leadership
12:30 Vulnerability and Authenticity in Leadership
14:00 Why Selena's TikToks Go Viral
16:00 Seismic Shifts: Leadership's Impact on Mental Health
18:00 Skepticism and the Return of Command & Control
20:30 Building Exciting, Innovative Work Cultures
22:00 The Power of Psychological Safety
24:00 Understanding Gen Z’s Expectations
26:00 Practical Ways to Co-Create with Gen Z
29:00 Shared Leadership Opportunities in Meetings
31:00 Summary of Quick Leadership & Final Thoughts

Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Heart's On Fire

Follow Michelle for more inspiring content:

Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSeismicShiftwithMichelle
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnston-0264b5b
Instagram: instagram.com/michellekjohnston
Website: https://michellekjohnston.com/

Chief Heart Officer Claude Silver (VaynerMedia/VaynerX) joins Michelle to unpack why the real “seismic shift” at work is bringing our humanity back. From emotional intelligence and psychological safety to trust, belonging, and authentic leadership, Claude lays out a practical roadmap leaders can use today—especially with Gen Z and Gen Alpha demanding purpose, flexibility, and voice. Claude shares her non-linear journey to becoming a Chief Heart Officer, the three-part structure of her book Be Yourself at Work (you → team → culture), and tangible moves to show up with heart—starting with knowing your non-negotiables and strengths. If you’re trying to attract and retain top talent, reduce burnout, and build a culture where people actually want to stay, this conversation is your playbook.

Chapters
00:01 — Welcome & You → Team → Culture Framework
02:49 — Gen Z & Gen Alpha at Work
05:06 — Why Old Playbooks Fail
05:57 — The Splinter Analogy
06:52 — Building Trust & Belonging
07:19 — Psychological Safety in Hybrid Work
10:36 — Autonomy, Flexibility & Hybrid
10:45 — Feedback Without Fear
12:01 — Emotional Optimism: The Success Recipe
14:40 — Self-Awareness as a Leader
32:01 — Closing Takeaways from Claude

Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Heart's On Fire

Follow Michelle for more inspiring content:

Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSeismicShiftwithMichelle
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnston-0264b5b
Instagram: instagram.com/michellekjohnston
Website: https://michellekjohnston.com/