No Turning Back

No Turning Back: Final Episode Aug 09, 2022

No Turning Back first began in April of 2020, originating as a video series where Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell would speak with some of the world’s most consequential leaders about leadership and resilience through such unprecedented times. This video series served as a way to bring people together for a conversation and gave viewers a slight reprieve from the uncertainty in our world. We quickly realized there was a larger audience who were looking for impactful conversations like No Turning Back.

Since then, we’ve released over 75 conversations with leaders of all different backgrounds and industries, discussing their experiences facing the pressing challenges they and their organizations encounter every day. As we wrap up this series, we’re taking a look back at the favorite episodes from our team who helped create No Turning Back from behind the scenes.

Bill McDermott on Prioritizing Innovation to Fuel Growth Jul 12, 2022

This week, we are featuring an episode on leadership with a conversation between Stan, Chris, and Bill McDermott, the Chief Executive Officer of ServiceNow, a role he assumed in November of 2019. Bill has led innovation at the company as it has been at the forefront of digital transformation and shares his insights on company culture, leadership, and adaptation in business.

They discuss the characteristics of what makes a successful leader and how to navigate uncertainty when innovating. Bill details his experiences leading teams, what he envisions as the future of technology, and how it must improve people’s lives. Bill also shares his thoughts on the most pressing challenges facing leaders today, headlined by retention and creating a work environment that suits employees’ shifting needs.

Linda Rendle on Active Leadership through Disruption Jul 05, 2022

This week, we have a very special episode on leadership with a conversation Stan and Chris had with Linda Rendle. Linda is chief executive officer at The Clorox Company, a position she assumed in September 2020.

They discuss agile leadership, innovation, and the importance of preparing for an unpredictable future. Linda shares lessons learned from leading The Clorox Company during COVID, her pride in her team, and the resiliency they demonstrated.

Linda shares with us why learning is a business imperative and how it accelerated the development of a learning culture at Clorox. They talk about her career choices, experiences that helped her become CEO, and how her values have guided her professional growth. This conversation is rich with actionable insights on how leaders at all stages of their journey can lead resilient teams during crises and beyond.

Reflections: Demystifying DEI Miniseries May 03, 2022

This week, Stan and Chris conclude the demystifying DEI mini-series of No Turning Back, looking back on the four episodes, and looking ahead to how we can all be more intentional in our commitment to making progress in diversity, equity and inclusion.

We hope you’ve enjoyed listening to different perspectives of DEI, the lessons learned, and the individual journey leaders have taken. If you’ve enjoyed these conversations, visit our website, McChrystalGroup.com for resources on Inclusive Leadership.

Elena Kvochko on Linking Trust and DEI Apr 26, 2022

This week, we continue our Demystifying DEI mini-series with a conversation Stan had with Elena Kvochko, the first Chief Trust Officer at SAP, a role she began at the height of the pandemic. In this role, Elena leads a team of security architects and focuses on building trust through a culture of accountability and openness.

In this fascinating discussion, Elena shares how DEI and trust interlink through the framework of people, processes, and techniques and the tangible impact of DEI initiatives across the three. Stan and Elena discussed the implications of the change in the security threat landscape from organizations being more reliant on technology than ever before. This conversation unpacks the trust equation, how to measure trust, and the importance of actions speaking louder than words.

Bracken Darrell on Personal and Professional Growth Apr 19, 2022

This week, we continue our demystifying DEI mini-series with a conversation Stan had with Bracken Darrell, CEO of Logitech in this fascinating discussion, Stan examines Bracken's personal journey of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and why it's not enough to not be racist. We must be anti-racist. They explore why being fair and getting it right is a growth opportunity for every individual and every organization, Bracken shares how George Floyd's murder was the most transformational moment in his life. He talks about why and how Logitech is constantly learning and committed to making progress.

Susan O'Malley on Developing Diverse Teams Apr 12, 2022

This week, we continue our Demystifying DEI miniseries with the conversation Stan and Chris had with Susan O'Malley. Susan serves as the Head of Strategy for Personalized Medicine at Genentech. She brings together creative leadership with decision-making and long-term future thinking in this role. Prior, she spent almost a decade at the design and innovation firm IDEO and began the first chapter of her career at Google.

In this fascinating discussion, Stan and Chris dive deep into the journey of diversity, equity, and inclusion and why this is the grand challenge of our time. They explore why equity can be a stopping point for leaders and how leaders can be more inclusive. This conversation unpacks how to develop diverse teams, sharing the five dynamics as a powerful tool for balanced teams.

Susan shares the importance of authenticity in our relationships. How being intentional with the process is critical, and why different perspectives are key for effective collaboration. We were enthralled by the wealth of insights Susan shared and will include the resources she referenced in the show notes.

Ebbie Parsons on Driving Intentional DE&I Change Apr 05, 2022

Over the next several weeks, Stan and Chris will embark on a new miniseries called Demystifying DEI, where we will look at how organizations are approaching the important work of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this series, we're excited to hear how industry leaders are authentically incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into their organizations, investing in their people to drive change, and the lessons they have learned through curiosity and trial. This week, we kick off our Demystifying DEI miniseries with a conversation Stan and Chris had with Ebbie Parsons. Ebbie is the Founder and Managing Partner of Yardstick Management, America's leading Black-owned management consultant firm. In this discussion, Stan and Chris dive deep into the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. They explore the business case for DEI, the importance of diversifying your network, and how processes and systems can enable advancements. Ebbie shares why it's critical that we all drive intentional change across organizations and why it's a marathon and not a sprint. This conversation is rich with actionable insights on how leaders can do the demanding work to develop an equitable society for all. We were really interested in hearing about Ebbie's work with business leaders as we started the Demystifying DEI series of No Turning Back.

Reflections: Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast Mar 08, 2022

This week Stan and Chris conclude the No Turning Back miniseries. They reflect on the four past episodes, exploring insights from their guests on how they implemented Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast in their leadership.

Thank you for joining us for this miniseries. We hope these episodes have prompted you to think about how you can lead during unpredictability, be more intentional in your leadership, and better adapt to the changing environment.

If you’ve enjoyed this miniseries, please visit mcchrsytalgroup.com for our Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast resources page, where you can download our latest playbook.

Our next No Turning Back miniseries coming to you soon is called Demystifying Diversity Equity and Inclusion.

Jake Wood on Intentionality Feb 15, 2022

As a part of the “Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast” series of No Turning Back, Stan and Chris were eager to speak with Jake Wood, the founder and CEO of Groundswell.

Jake's career began in the military – he was a Marine and upon leaving the military founded Team Rubicon, an organization that position veterans to help in disaster response. Most recently, Jake founded Groundswell, a nonprofit that aims to change charitable giving.

Stan spoke to Jake about intentional decision making, how Jake successfully grew and led Team Rubicon and had tremendous impact, how he intentionally made career pivots, and his current work at Groundswell and its efforts to disrupt corporate giving.

Overall, Stan spoke to Jake about how he thinks about evolving while remaining focused and competitive as the world changes around him. Jake is a fascinating thought leader and guest. We hope our discussion here is thought provoking and enjoyable.

Meg Gentle on the Future of Energy Feb 08, 2022

As a part of the “Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast” series of No Turning Back, Stan and Chris were excited to speak with Meg Gentle, the Executive Director of HIF USA. Meg has had an impressive 25-year career in the energy industry. A former oil & gas executive, she recently left the business to focus on decarbonization, with goals to return our planet to a CO2 homeostasis.

In this discussion, Stan and Chris ask Meg about the future of the energy sector: what leadership will look like, and how and when we should act during the ongoing challenge of climate change. It’s a timely, necessary conversation, and we think you’ll learn something useful.

Bruce Broussard on the Speed of Healthcare Systems Feb 01, 2022

We're officially in the "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" series, with a special guest: Bruce Broussard, the CEO of Humana. As organizations jump into 2022, they are eager to start the year with energy and vigor and leave behind the challenges of the past two years. We know all organizations – especially ones in healthcare, like Humana – must be more intentional than ever before.

In this episode, we spoke with Bruce Broussard and how speed affects the healthcare system. Bruce speaks about how the healthcare system should adopt the "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast" idea by focusing on disease prevention, not just treatment. Stan and Bruce speak about why and how digital transformation is an evolution of the healthcare system, and even touch on the recent Theranos trial - considering how innovation will continue to affect the healthcare system.

Intentional Leadership with Carl Liebert Jan 25, 2022

Over the next several weeks, Stan and Chris will be embarking on a new mini-series, called “Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast.” The title comes from a concept in special operations, where operators move more methodically and slowly to make fewer mistakes. In this series, we’re curious to hear how leaders are tackling unpredictability, being intentional in their leadership, and adapting to crises as they unfold.

This week, we are teasing the mini-series with a conversation with Carl Liebert. Carl currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of kwx of Keller Williams. A member of the United States Naval Academy’s basketball team, Carl went on to serve in the Navy, before navigating his way through a variety of positions in General Electric, Circuit City, Home Depot, 24Hour Fitness Worldwide, and USAA.

In this discussion, Stan and Chris learn more about how Carl navigates new industries and role positions. They get Carl’s take on the role that both truth, and curiosity, play in a board of directors meeting, and hear about how Carl thinks about his first 90 days at any position. We were really interested in hearing about the intentionality behind all of Carl’s decisions, as we start the “Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast” series of No Turning Back.

Maggie Hsu on the Future of Cities, Work, and Blockchain Dec 07, 2021

As we conclude this “Future Focused” series that looks to the future of work and our world at large, we were really interested in exploring how cities and businesses will grow together. Meet Maggie Hsu, the former Chief of Staff to the late CEO of Zappos, Tony Hsieh, who was heavily involved in the Downtown Project. The Downtown Project aimed to build and revitalize the community of Las Vegas. Maggie has spent her career thinking ahead about ways to make our future world better.

In this episode, Maggie explains the intent and legacy of the Downtown Project, dives into holacracy and its connections to blockchain, how cities can be cryptofriendly, and how she thinks work, life, and play have fundamentally changed after the pandemic. It's one of our more thought-provoking discussions as we look ahead to 2022.

This wraps up our No Turning Back content for 2021 - we look forward to an exciting year exploring new topics, and mini-series, with you next year.

Future of Technology in the Military with Major General Heather Pringle Nov 30, 2021

How should we think about the future of technology in the military? How will warfighters leverage technology, artificial intelligence, and new innovations to best react to the conflicts that await us?

These are the sorts of questions on Major General Heather Pringle's mind, as the Commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory. Major General Pringle serves as the Technology Executive Officer, whose work and research supports the Air Force and Space Force.

In this episode, we hear about Major General Pringle's team of 6,000 folks who aim to create an exhaustive portfolio of technology that predicts new fighting environments and challenges for the military. Major General Pringle speaks about the symbiosis between technology and humans, how the basic "to-do" lists for warfighters today are similar to how they've always been (though the technology applied will be different), and the role that ethics plays in her lab. Major General Pringle discusses how her team is pushing to the exciting edge of technology - and we think you'll really enjoy what she has to say.

The Future of Work with Philip Ross Nov 23, 2021

What will "work" look like in 2022, and the years beyond it?

Meet Philip Ross, a futurist who specializes on how technology influences how we live, work, shop, and socialize. He's our guest today on No Turning Back in the next episode of the "Future Focused" series. He is the founder of UnGroup and Cordless Group, and aims to help organizations navigate the future workplace. He advises companies, runs workshops and conferences, and writes books about the Future of Work, generously giving his time to us as we look ahead to the work place awaiting us.

The Future According to Bob Johansen Nov 16, 2021

Welcome to the Future Focused series of No Turning Back. As we end 2021 and take the step into 2022, we will be having future-focused conversations: largely talking about the future of work, but also the human-AI experience, technological innovation in the military, drafting out and discussing what our world will look like in the years to come.

Bob Johansen, this week's guest, kicks off the mini-series. Bob is a self-proclaimed "futurist" who looks at life backwards, focusing ten years ahead as he makes predictions about the life waiting for him. Bob is a distinguished fellow with the Institute for the Future, where he helps organizations get ready for, and influence, the future. He has been doing this work for 30 years while also authoring or co-authoring a massive 12 books on the subject.

In today's discussions, Bob explains that all humans will be cyborgs in 10 years, why he dislikes the term "artificial intelligence," and why good leaders must be digital leaders. He shared one of the more interesting and important questions in the future is: what can humans do best? And what can computers do best? He challenges us to focus on the hopeful potentials of both the human and the machine.

Reflections on the Risk Mini-Series Oct 28, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris conclude the Risk mini-series of No Turning Back, looking back on the six episodes, and looking ahead to the greatest risks facing our nation and world.

Our podcast, after all, is called No Turning Back, and Stan and Chris will leave you today with clear insights into the challenges that lay ahead. Our next mini-series, coming to you within a matter of weeks, is about the Future of Work.

If you've enjoyed the Risk mini-series and are looking for more, pick up a copy of Stan's latest book, Risk: A User's Guide, which is available everywhere books are sold. https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/library/risk-a-users-guide/

Financial Risk with John Chambers Oct 19, 2021

This week, we continue our risk mini-series on No Turning Back, with a very special, distinguished guest: John Chambers, the former chairman of S&P’s sovereign rating committee. We couldn’t think of a better guest to discuss the nuances of financial risk.

John spent 24 years at Standard & Poor’s, or S&P, and is known most for downgrading the US credit rating in 2011. His insights and experiences are topical and relevant as the United States worked through the debt ceiling debate earlier this month. In the discussion, John shares his perspective on today’s debt ceiling debates, the five components of S&P’s risk assessment, and how he teaches risk at the Executive MBA level at NYU’s Stern School of Business.

Stan and Chris’s reflections in today’s episode were particularly thought-provoking. They dive into existential risk: when and how leaders consider how entire efforts will fall apart, how we should be thinking about the risk to our republic, and also discuss how a “crisis in confidence” can generate more risk to our society.

Stan’s latest book, Risk: A User’s Guide, touches on more topics like these. You can learn more here: https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/library/risk-a-users-guide/

Business Risk with Bob Wood Oct 12, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris speak to Bob Wood, the former Chairman and CEO of Chemtura Corporation. Bob has an impressive career navigating business risk: before Chemtura, Bob was an executive at Dow Chemical, spending over two decades there and climbing the ranks in the business. He has been a member of a variety of impressive boards, including the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, MRC Global, Praxair Inc., and Univar Solutions, to name a few. Notably, Bob is a member of the board of directors at McChrystal Group, where Stan and Chris have worked closely with him for a number of years.

In this week's episode, Bob explains why market leaders need to be paranoid and why market laggards need to be creative. He walks us through how his own thinking of risk has evolved as he became responsible for others leading a team and how he thinks of risk as a member of boards of directors. Bob challenges leaders to understand the risk upfront through good questions, rather than understanding it from hindsight. He also outlines how he'd prompt younger leaders to think about the relationship between risk and opportunity.

Learn more about Stan's latest book, Risk: A User's Guide, here: https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/library/risk-a-users-guide/

Exclusive Listen to Risk: A User's Guide Oct 05, 2021

Today, on the very day of the book launch, we’re excited to share this sneak peek of content with you. In this episode, you’ll be hearing three clips of Stan’s own voice as he reads excerpts from Risk: A User’s Guide, to give you a taste of the other pages to follow.

Order your copy to Risk: A User's Guide, here: https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/library/risk-a-users-guide/

Risk with Garry Kasparov Sep 28, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris speak to chess grandmaster, Garry Kasparov, about risk: in the game of chess, and more broadly, in society. Garry is well-known as a World Chess Champion who famously dueled against IBM’s supercomputer, Deep Blue. In recent years, Garry has been translating and expanding his focus to the Renew Democracy Initiative, which aims to promote and protect democracy worldwide.

Garry first came onto No Turning Back this past January, and Stan and Chris were intrigued by all Garry had to say about risk. This week, they take a fascinating deeper dive into how Garry thinks about risk and opportunity against an opponent, and the risks that Garry faced when he decided to play chess against a machine. Garry speaks to broader topics on how society now has a new relationship to risk post-COVID-19, and also speaks to disinformation – the risks it presents to our society on a national and global scale.

Risk: A User’s Guide, will publish one week from today. You can learn more about Risk: A User's Guide, here: https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/library/risk-a-users-guide/.

The Game of Risk: Poker with Annie Duke Sep 21, 2021

Poker is a game of risk. The chances you take, the bets you make, determine the loss, or the reward. It’s a heated calculus of quick decision-making, gut instinct, and strategy. This week, on the second episode of the Risk mini-series on No Turning Back, Stan and Chris speak to Annie Duke, a former professional poker player whose titles include the NBC National Poker Heads-Up Championship, as the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions. In today’s discussion, Stan and Chris speak to Annie about why most people don’t think probabilistically when making decisions, why uncertain decisions are often most impactful, and why no good decisions ever come from consensus. She speaks to the power of a pre-mortem to think through ways a plan can fail before it does, and discusses how poker players not only think about winning, but winning the most they absolutely can (even if it means taking on more risk). She brings an academic focus, and intense inquisitiveness, to the game, and her lessons and tactics about risk transcend poker.

Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell on the Risk Of Special Operations Sep 14, 2021

Stan McChrystal has spent a lifetime attempting to mitigate risk: importantly, in the military, and critically now in the corporate sector. He concluded that we don’t handle risk very well – at both the individual and organizational level. This reality had been percolating at the back of his mind for quite some time. The events of the last few years brought these issues to the front burner, and are the topic of his latest book, Risk: A User’s Guide.

This mini-series on No Turning Back will analyze risk in several parts. Stan and Chris will kick off the series today by exploring how the special operations community thinks of, and responds to, risk.

Jeff Sonnenfeld on Bringing Leaders Together Aug 24, 2021

Stan and Chris know the power of the Operations & Intelligence or O&I brief. As a part of Stan's efforts to transform Joint Special Operations Command, he leaned on Operations & Intelligence brief, or the O&I. It was a tremendously powerful tool that connected countries around the globe and drove the "battle rhythm" of the counterterrorist force. This week's guest, Jeff Sonnenfeld, runs a similar forum at Yale University. Jeff, the Senior Associate Dean for Leadership Studies & a Professor in the Practice of Management at Yale University's School of Management, leads the CEO Summit, which brings leaders from top businesses, parts of government, and scholars from all corners to discuss important leadership topics. In today's episode, Stan and Chris speak to Jeff about the CEO Summit. They discuss how and why Jeff created this format, like the O&I, a special tool to connect leaders everywhere against shared challenges. During the discussion, Jeff also speaks to the role of a leader: whether it is to have the moral courage or to appease the constituency.

50 Episodes of No Turning Back Aug 17, 2021

No Turning Back has reached an important milestone: 50 episodes. In honor of this, we wanted to release some of the most thought-provoking moments from our guests. We’ve noticed some shared themes over these 50 episodes: leading through COVID-19, building strong, trusting networks, the importance of diversity and inclusion, the dangers and benefits of technology, as well as some odds-and-ends leadership insights.

Norman Wright on Healthcare Reform, Uncomfortable Conversations, and Burning Platforms Aug 10, 2021

Meet Norman Wright, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Experience Officer at UnitedHealth Group. Norman, a long-time friend of McChrystal Group, brings a calm, analytical mind and 34 years of experience to the conversation with Stan and Chris. Norman speaks to the protests following George Floyd's murder, shares what it was like to fight against the war that is COVID-19, and how he thinks about balancing the risk of healthcare transformation when change is needed.

Michael Dowling on Rule Breaking, Innovation, and Leading through COVID-19 Aug 03, 2021

Meet Michael Dowling, the President and CEO of Northwell Health, the biggest healthcare provider in the State of New York. Their hospitals, like many around the country, battled against COVID-19, and are now responding to the variants spreading rapidly across the country. Michael has fascinating leadership observations from COVID-19 that translate well to every challenge. In the conversation, he shares his own personal story of resilience, differentiates having a title from being a leader, and explains why rule-breaking is critical to innovation. Michael also tells us why hurling, an (often violent) Gaelic Irish sport, has affected his own leadership. Seldom do Stan and Chris speak to a leader with a challenge like the one Michael Dowling faced leading the massive healthcare system during the pandemic. The conversation provides wisdom, offers humor, and a refreshing honesty and perspective that gives us much to think about as the pandemic continues.

Brad Smith on Intuit and Giving Back to the Community Jul 27, 2021

Meet Brad Smith, former CEO of Intuit and its current Executive Chairman of its Board of Directors. Stan and Chris are fascinated by how Brad transformed Intuit, diving into leadership lessons learned while Brad was at the helm for 11 years. A West Virginia native, Brad Smith has most recently founded the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, aiming to provide education and entrepreneurial support to Americans in underserved communities. He applies the same customer-driven innovation principles that made him and the team successful at Intuit to these communities: starting with a hypothesis of how to improve conditions, then gathers a group of people, to create sustainable change. In this discussion, Brad distinguishes passion for principles, explains why vulnerabilities are strengths, and discusses what he learned from President Kennedy's leadership in the Cuban Missile Crisis. Brad is a transformational leader at heart, focusing his efforts on how he can improve the world around him.

Lidia Fonseca on Pfizer, Vaccines, and the Future of Healthcare Jul 20, 2021

Meet Lidia Fonseca, an executive who sits at the center of both the technology and the pharmaceutical industries. Lidia is the Executive Vice President, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Pfizer and is responsible for the company's technology, data, and digital efforts. Her team was critical in developing the Pfizer vaccine - one that has given citizens everywhere hope after COVID-19. Stan and Chris speak to Lidia about how Pfizer and healthcare will be different after the pandemic, why it's important to focus on outcomes rather than activities, and how her leadership has changed after bringing Pfizer through COVID-19.

James Kerr on Rugby, Storytelling and Humility Jul 13, 2021

What can a New Zealand rugby team teach you about leadership? This week, Stan and Chris speak to James Kerr to discover the answer to that question. James Kerr, a bestselling author, speaker, and business consultant, brings an inquisitive mind and practical observations to the conversation. Stan and Chris explore some of the lessons learned from James's best-selling book, Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About the Business of Life, examining the symbols, rituals, practices, and values that made the All Blacks a successful rugby team.

Beyond the All Blacks, Stan and Chris share interests in common with James, who specializes in high-performing teams and leadership. James explains why smart leaders are great storytellers, draws an important distinction between humility as meekness and humility as confidence, and what CEOs can learn from coaches. James is an expert in his field and was generous with his time. We thank him for the discussion.

Jake Harriman on building a More Perfect Union Jun 29, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris speak with Jake Harriman, the Founder and CEO of More Perfect Union and former Infantry and Force Recon Platoon Commander in the Marine Corps.

Jake has lived a life in service to others, focusing on international poverty, as well as the dangers of political extremism in the United States. After spending his childhood in West Virginia, Jake matriculated to the United States Naval Academy – and upon graduating, went on to serve in the Marine Corps as an Infantry and Force Recon Platoon Commander.

He left the Marine Corps after seven and a half years of service, and received his MBA from Stanford in order to form Nuru International in 2007, which aims to eradicate poverty worldwide. Jake then pivoted his focus inward to the United States and the dangers of partisanship in American politics to found More Perfect Union, which aims to heal the divide in the country and build a center in American politics.

Jake is a fascinating guest with much to say about the world we live in today, and how we can work together to make it better.

Stan and Chris on Today's Pressing Leadership Questions Jun 22, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris take some listener questions - and speak to some of the burning topics on their minds. As we transition out of the COVID-19 pandemic and look to the future of leadership, they took 40 minutes to dive into what they, and our listeners, are thinking about. They reflect on helpful lessons from communicating in a remote environment, consider the relationship between leadership and ego, as well as the tensions between habits, rule-following, and adapting to be efficient to attack crises at hand.

Ruba Borno: A Conversation with a "Make it Happen" Executive Jun 15, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris speak to Ruba Borno, Senior Vice President and General Manager in Cisco's Customer Experience organization. Stan first met Ruba when she was Chief of Staff to the CEO at Cisco and has been impressed at how Ruba has been a “make it happen” executive throughout the years. Ruba has her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and spent time at Boston Consulting Group before coming to Cisco in 2015 - where she has been Vice President of Growth Initiatives and Vice President and General Manager of Cisco Managed Services, before serving in her current role. Stan and Chris speak to Ruba about why empathy, emotional intelligence, and resilience are important in our leaders, why leaders should ask questions rather than give answers, and how her own experience as a refugee has influenced how she sees her career and leadership.

Lisa Gevelber on Google, Technology Equality, and Societal Change Jun 08, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris speak to Lisa Gevelber, the Chief Marketing Officer, Americas Region at Google, and Vice President of Grow with Google. Lisa has had a fascinating career. A student of Psychology, Lisa started her career at Proctor and Gamble, working at a variety of companies (some start-ups) before moving to Google in 2010.

Stan and Chris speak with Lisa about the challenges of technology equality, how she is building trusted networks with community partners to promote economic opportunity, and about Lisa's personal decision to focus her career and build a team for a cause she believes in. As we've become more connected to technology during the COVID crisis, Lisa gives us much to think about - how the entire world can benefit from the opportunities technology provides.

Gautam Mukunda: A Conversation with a Leadership Expert Jun 01, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris speak to Gautam Mukunda. Gautam is an expert in leadership who says he aims to have the world's most confusing resume. Gautam is a Jeopardy champion, former consultant, and a Research Fellow at Harvard Kennedy's Center for Public Leadership. He has degrees from Harvard, Dartmouth, and MIT and is the host of Nasdaq's "World Reimagined" podcast. Gautam speaks to leadership and power, the risks of having "superstars" on teams, and gives us a new perspective on the story of George Washington and his wooden teeth.

Jeevan Kalanithi and Michael Fleischman On Start-up Leadership May 25, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris speak with Jeevan Kalanithi and Michael Fleischman of OpenSpace. Jeevan is the CEO, and Michael is the Co-founder and Chief Scientist of OpenSpace, which provides cutting-edge technology for capturing and mapping job sites. Jeevan and Michael speak about building a narrative around new technology, how OpenSpace could have helped with Boston's Big Dig Project, and how tech start-up leaders are unique.

Jamil Farshchi on Risk and Responsibility May 20, 2021

In light of the recent Colonial Pipeline cyberattack, Stan and Chris revisit a conversation they had with Jamil Farshchi, the Chief Information Security Officer at Equifax. Jamil has had a distinguished career in information security transformation: he was the first-ever Chief Information Security Officer at Time Warner and worked with both Home Depot and Equifax to build safer networks after their respective cyber breaches. Jamil shares the importance of building culture in our teams and discusses why security is everyone's responsibility in an organization.

Henrik Andersen on leading environment change May 11, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris sat down with Henrik Andersen, President and CEO of Vestas Wind Systems. Henrik is leading in an industry that is driving large-scale, global change – shifting how people think, one wind turbine at a time. Henrik shares the importance of letting your leadership grow, trusting your team even in complex crises, in a world increasingly dependent on renewable energy.

Patty Horoho: Lessons from the former Army Surgeon General May 04, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris speak with Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Patty Horoho, former Army Surgeon General and 23rd Chief of the Army Nurse Corps. Patty is the current CEO of OptumServe. Patty shares insights from her military career, her strategic viewpoint on healthcare, and what it was like to trailblaze as the first female and nurse Surgeon General.

Christiana Riley on leading Deutsche Bank USA Apr 27, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris sit down with Christiana Riley, CEO of Deutsche Bank USA Corporation. After a decades-long career in Germany, Christiana moved to NYC to lead the bank's American branch six months before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Christiana shares the power of communication in an essential global bank, why trust is an outcome and not an input, and what American society can learn from the German economy.

Lisa Jaster on "not letting the quit in" Apr 20, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris sat down with Lisa Jaster, a US Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel and Engineer, and one of the first three women to graduate Ranger School. While most candidates go to Ranger School in their 20s, Lisa was 37 when she graduated from the Army's grueling 62-day training course. Lisa reflects on the role of women in special operations, how fitness is key to her lifestyle and leadership in the military and private sector, and how she refuses to "let the quit in" when facing adversity.

Jim Hackett on high ego and high empathy Apr 13, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris sit down with Jim Hackett, former CEO and President of Ford Motor Company. Jim is no stranger to the CEO role: at 39 years old, Jim was the youngest CEO of Steelcase. He brings decades of expertise to the conversation, discussing why leadership is the intersection of high empathy and high ego, how to build precision at scale, and reveals what businesses can learn from mouses and elephants.

Paul Fipps on brand, ambition, and digital transformation Apr 06, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris sat down with Paul Fipps, former Chief Experience Officer at Under Armour and current Senior Vice President of Customer and Partner Excellence at ServiceNow. A former infantry soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division, Paul reflects how the Army shaped his leadership style. Paul discusses taking on “non-obvious roles” in companies to develop new skill sets, how and why you should be creating "epic experiences" for customers, and what questions you should be asking as your teams embark on digital transformation.

Tristan Harris on technology's potential and power Mar 30, 2021

This week, Stan and Chris speak with Tristan Harris, the Co-Founder & President of the Center for Humane Technology, the primary subject of the Netflix documentary, “The Social Dilemma,” and former Design Ethicist for Google. He brings years of experience in the technology sector to the conversation, focusing on social media's pervasive influence on how we think and interact. Between the addictive nature of our devices and how much influence something as little as the “like” button has on citizens worldwide, Tristan discusses how the power our technology holds is beyond measure.

We release our McChrystal Group Leader’s Journal every other Wednesday with new No Turning Back episodes and thought leadership pieces. Join us for valuable insights on leadership here: https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/newsletter/

Atul Gawande on pandemic and healthcare leadership Mar 23, 2021

This week, Dr. Atul Gawande, surgeon, author, and public health researcher, dives into the importance of leadership in the healthcare space. He was a member of President Biden’s COVID-19 transition advisory team and shares his unique perspective on the world’s response to the pandemic. An expert in his field, Dr. Gawande, discusses the similarities between doctors in the operating room and world leaders responding to COVID-19, why checklists and voicing up save lives, and what questions you should be asking yourself when you choose a physician.

Sam Kennedy on leading the Boston Red Sox Mar 16, 2021

Sam Kennedy, President and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, says he works in the “toy of department of life,” providing joy, distraction, and excitement for fans nationwide. Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell sat with Sam at the beginning of the Red Sox’s Spring Training and discussed Sam’s three priorities for the Red Sox: winning games, preserving Fenway Park, and being active in the community. Sam shares what it’s like to lead in a fishbowl with some of the nation’s most enthusiastic fans and why the frontline employees at Fenway Park are the center of gravity for the team. As the Red Sox embark on the crucial months of their training, Kennedy shares how the team will make a comeback after COVID-19.

We release our McChrystal Group Leader’s Journal every other Wednesday with new No Turning Back episodes and thought leadership pieces. Join us for valuable insights on leadership here: https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/newsletter/

Tyson Voelkel on investing in a brighter future Mar 09, 2021

This week, Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell sat down with Tyson Voelkel, the President of the Texas A&M Foundation. The Texas A&M Foundation aims to build a brighter future for Texas A&M University as its primary academic fundraising institution. Most recently, the Foundation raised over $4.25 billion in Texas’s largest higher education campaign - a scale of at least $1.2 million every day, for 365 days straight. Tyson is a thoughtful, adaptable leader who brings his 12 years of leadership as an infantry officer in the US Army to the Texas A&M Foundation. Stan and Chris talk to Tyson about establishing trusted relationships between the fund, the university, and the donors - and learn how listening is crucial to the Foundation's success.

Keith Krach on building networks of trust Mar 02, 2021

Stan McChrystal once told Keith Krach that he was one of the few leaders he’s known in business that we could put a uniform on tomorrow and be effective as a general officer in the United States Army. This week, Stan and Chris Fussell sit down with Keith Krach, the former Chairman, CEO, & President of DocuSign, the former Chairman and CEO of Ariba, and most recently, the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment. They discuss Keith’s leadership across the public and private sectors, how to build trust in new teams, and why we should wear failure like a badge of honor.

Rachel Maddow on the role of political media - then and now Feb 23, 2021

Every night at 9 p.m. EST, Rachel Maddow sits down to discuss the latest in American politics on her award-winning "The Rachel Maddow Show." This week, Stan and Chris explore Maddow's conclusions about leadership after her 13 years of examining the political space - discussing whether Americans overweigh the importance of leadership, as well as the role of media in politics, using history and experience as their guide.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on the power of trust and local leadership Feb 16, 2021

Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell first sat down with "Mayor Pete" Buttigieg in April of last year to record their first episode of No Turning Back. Stan and Chris release the episode's audio for the first time, revisiting now-Secretary Buttigieg's thoughts on the power of local leadership to navigate the COVID-19 crisis, the necessity of trust, and the need to innovate as we tackle global challenges. As Secretary Buttigieg starts his new role in the Cabinet, Stan and Chris reflect on the challenges and benefits of developing trust in teams - in an important time in our nation's history.

Building the Space Force with Lt Gen Saltzman Feb 09, 2021

What is the Space Force? How do you build a new armed service and lead a new frontier? This week, Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell sit down with Lt Gen Saltzman, the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the United States Space Force, to hear the answers to these questions. As the first US Air Force general officer who was transferred and promoted in the Space Force, Lt Gen Saltzman discusses the newest armed service in the Department of Defense and shares what’s at stake for protecting our space capabilities. He relays important lessons about when to take revolutionary, and not evolutionary, steps to create a new team – sharing important wisdom on how to build team culture from the ground-up.

Roz Brewer, Incoming Walgreens' CEO, on value-based leadership Feb 02, 2021

Walgreens has a new incoming CEO: Rosalind (Roz) Brewer. Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell revisit their fascinating conversation with Roz, reflecting on how her value-based approach to leadership, connection to frontline workers, and long-term focus on initiatives rather than immediate wins will position her well to take on the CEO role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tim Brown and Iain Roberts on Building Creative & Innovative Teams Jan 26, 2021

Tim Brown and Iain Roberts are experts within the design thinking field, and are the Executive Chair at IDEO and its Chief Operating Officer, respectively. This week, Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell sit down with Tim and Iain to learn more about how design shapes the world to fit consumers' needs, how prototyping mitigates risk, and why organizations learn faster by building faster.

Mike Hayes on Navy SEAL training, decision-making, and serving others Jan 19, 2021

Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell interview Mike Hayes, a 20-year veteran of the Navy SEALs, the former Director of Defense Policy and Strategy at the National Security Council, and most recently, the Chief Digital Transformation Officer at VMWare. Hayes is a dynamic and experienced leader who shares his changing perspective on risk as he shifts through industries, how he approaches the first 90 days in any new role, and what businesses can learn from the SEALs’ training technique to lift a giant log over your head.

Garry Kasparov on chess, risk, and democracy Jan 13, 2021

Garry Kasparov is one of the world's most well-known and accomplished chess players. But he built on his excellence and notoriety in chess to become a pro-democracy advocate in Russia, and for democracy globally. Through his remarkable career at the heights of the game, Garry proved that hard work is a talent, and that mistakes are great fuel for practice. Beyond chess, Garry discusses his ongoing efforts to promote democracy worldwide, how he thinks about risk-taking, and finding your purpose.

Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell Answer Listener Questions Jan 05, 2021

Stan and Chris kick off the new year with an episode answering questions from No Turning Back listeners. This podcast started in April of 2020 during the heavy uncertainty of crisis, leaving leaders in uniquely tough situations trying to support the health of their team and business. It’s thanks to our listeners that we’ve been able to continue this podcast many guests and months later. Enjoy Stan and Chris as they answer questions on national service, leading through change, and their surprising career leadership lessons.

Simon Sinek on finding inspiration in hardship Dec 29, 2020

Simon Sinek is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, which led to his viral TED Talk about how great leaders inspire action with the concept of “why.” He is a thought leader changing how we connect leaders and organizations together to inspire a sense of purpose and action. A visionary and optimist, Simon shares his perspective on the future of organizations, observations from teams this year, and why people are so motivated to find their purpose.

Brian Kilmeade on how history will remember today’s leaders Dec 15, 2020

Brian Kilmeade, co-host of Fox News show Fox & Friends and author of numerous books about historical American leaders, shares his perspective about present-day leaders and how they compare to leaders throughout history. In this episode, they discuss how Brian’s day to day work in the media creates the space for him to be a leader, record history each day, and compare today's climate with past eras and what it means for those in the public eye.

Jan Singer on transforming and leading fashion giants Dec 08, 2020

Jan Singer is one of America's most experienced fashion retail CEOs. She's built a reputation and a playbook for effectiveness and agility through her CEO roles at Spanx, Victoria's Secret, and J.Crew. She joins Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell on this week's episode to share her experience of becoming a senior leader, transforming companies in the retail space, and leading them through the pressures of a pandemic.

Scott Rechler on the future of work & the workplace Dec 01, 2020

Scott Rechler is the CEO of RXR Realty, served on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, served as Vice Chairman of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and is Chairman of the Regional Plan Association. An expert on real estate development and operations, Scott has a unique perspective on what the future of work looks like - both how offices will look, and how teams will collaborate. In this episode, we start with a far-out visioning exercise about how the world will transform, and draw out lessons on leading today, leading through transformation, and being a good citizen.

Norah O’Donnell on truth, facts, and the responsibility of leaders Nov 24, 2020

This week, Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell are joined by Norah O’Donnell, well known as the Lead Anchor & Editor for CBS Evening News, regular contributor to 60 Minutes, and third woman to ever solo anchor the evening news on a major network. She built her career on thorough investigative journalism and the belief that the key components of leadership are accuracy, truth, and relationship building. In this episode, you will hear about Norah’s commitment to the truth and commitment to serve the public through journalism.

Eric Roza: CrossFit CEO on Crisis Leadership and Evolving Organizations Nov 16, 2020

Eric Roza is a successful technology CEO, and fitness fanatic. After years of training with and owning a CrossFit box, he ended up becoming a significant investor into CrossFit, and now its CEO. CrossFit is undergoing a public, major transformation and Eric's lessons about crisis leadership and how to leverage his personal passion for the CrossFit brand and experience are instructive for all leaders. This is an episode about how to be your best self - in your personal life, and professional life.

Sue Desmond-Hellmann: Leading the Gates Foundation, and what other CEOs can learn from it Nov 09, 2020

Sue Desmond-Hellmann wrapped up a six-year tenure as CEO of the Gates Foundation this summer, where she sat at the center of the world’s largest philanthropic effort. Beyond her time there Sue was the chancellor of UC San Francisco, a division President at Genentech, and one of the world’s foremost oncology researchers – building a leadership profile that’s almost without rival. With her down to earth approach to leadership, the way she engages with people on her team, and how she builds team - there is a lot to learn from Sue on how to lead in all sectors and the common playbook she brings to each of those roles.

Susan Desmond-Hellmann Nov 09, 2020

Wes Moore: Robin Hood Foundation CEO on Fighting Poverty and Relentless Improvement as a Leader Nov 02, 2020

Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell interview Wes Moore, an army combat veteran, national bestselling author, and CEO of Robin Hood Foundation, a major nonprofit trying to fight poverty in New York City. In this episode, Wes talks about his upbringing in Baltimore and New York and how his childhood experiences in the military academy was forging for him, putting him on a powerful path towards where he is now today, a young leader with a relentless focus on serving others.

Jeff Immelt: Leading GE and Investing in New Leaders Oct 27, 2020

In today’s episode, Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell interview Jeff Immelt. Jeff is a Venture Partner at New Enterprise Associates and former Chairman and CEO of General Electric. From being a new member of a massive organization to running the company for well over a decade and a half, Jeff has lived through the leadership experience at every level. In this interview, Jeff talks about his book that will be soon released and shares the voice of a leader who has spent a few years diving deeply into their own experiences being very honest about strengths and weaknesses that he learned along the way.

Michèle Flournoy: National Security Leadership & Decision Making Oct 19, 2020

In this episode, Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell interview Michèle Flournoy. Michèle, a managing Partner of WestExec Advisors located in D.C., has held multiple senior positions inside the Pentagon – including serving as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy during the Obama administration. She is known as a thoughtful and hardworking public servant and accomplished team builder for mission critical teams. In this episode, Michèle talks about the impact of leadership in national security, advising Presidents and Secretaries of Defense, and what she’s learned in the private sector since she left government 8 years ago.

Molly Joseph: How Leaders Can Foster a Sense of Community Oct 12, 2020

Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell speak with Molly Joseph, Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare Global and Executive Vice President of UnitedHealth Group. They discuss the differences between leadership and management and the impact of authentic leadership on organizational morale and efficiency.

Senator Joe Manchin: Creating Bipartisan Trust & Getting Things Done Oct 05, 2020

In this episode, Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell are joined by West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin. Very few people have led at the levels that Senator Machin has - with over 15 years combined as a Governor and Senator. He entered the Senate in 2010 and over the past decade he has maintained a rare ability to create bipartisan relationships and trust. Together, they discuss how Senator Manchin approaches his role as a bridge builder, and how he navigates what ultimately has become a very lonely position in today's American politics.

Roy March: Embracing Change in the Real Estate Market Sep 28, 2020

In this episode, Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell are joined by Roy March, industry leader and CEO of Eastdil Secured. Together, they discuss building a collaborative, cohesive organization that inspires confidence in the team and with their clients, and how to embrace change in the real estate space while seizing opportunity in this dynamic market.

Tony Reno: How College Sports Develop Young Leaders Sep 21, 2020

Tony Reno is an American football coach and former player, who was brought in to Yale Football as Head Coach in 2012. In this episode, they discuss Tony's Leadership Playbook and how a successful program, winning, and the performance of the team will be the outcome of developing leaders and developing leadership culture where the intent of creating young leaders comes first.

Alex Gorsky: J&J CEO, on leadership in a pandemic Sep 14, 2020

Alex Gorsky is the long-time CEO of Johnson & Johnson. In this conversation, he talks about leading an American icon like J&J, and the company's contributions to the global effort for a Covid-19 vaccine. He also discusses with Stan the leadership lessons learned as junior infantry officers and West Pointers, and how those lessons shaped him as a CEO of a global company today.

Keith Ferrazzi: Building Purposeful Relationships Sep 02, 2020

Keith Ferrazzi is an author of the best seller Never Eat Alone and the newly released Leading without authority. Earlier in his career Keith has worked closely with Michael Milken, was the CMO at Deloitte, and the youngest CMO at a Fortune 500, Starwood Hotels. In this episode, Keith, Stan and Chris discuss how to create personal networks and how to ignite hope and create transformation in today’s networked organizations.

Roz Brewer: Connecting the C-Suite to the front lines Aug 31, 2020

Rosalind (Roz) Brewer is the Chief Operating Officer at Starbucks. In this episode, Roz, Stan and Chris discuss the philosophy of leadership in times of constant change and how leaders can implement disciplined company-wide communication to enable speed of execution.

Jamil Farshchi: Leading an Information Security Transformation Aug 24, 2020

Jamil Farshchi is the Chief Information Security Officer of Equifax. He joined Equifax in 2018 after Equifax experienced a large breach of personal customer data, and for the past 2 years has been leading an information security transformation. Previously, he held senior information security positions at Visa, NASA, and more. In this episode, Jamil, Stan and Chris discuss how to think about leading in crisis, how a CISO can advise a CEO or a non-technical executive, and how to build mission-critical teams.

Doug McMillon: Leadership of the World's Largest Company Aug 11, 2020

In this episode, Stan McChrystal and Chris Fussell interview Doug McMillon. Doug has been the CEO of Walmart, the world's largest company, since 2014. He is also the Chairman of the Business Roundtable, the association of CEOs of America's leading companies. In this interview, Doug shares how he thinks the role of the leader has changed through the turmoil of 2020, how to build a high-performing team, and managing a global enterprise of immense scale and complexity. Few leaders are as thoughtful as Doug, or as connected to the front-line employees. In this episode of No Turning Back, Stan and Chris dive into all of those topics in a fascinating interview.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected