CEO Perspectives

Clearly defining what successful employee well-being looks like—and then measuring, rewarding, and communicating these behaviors—is essential for business growth. How can business leaders support employee well-being at work, and why does it matter? 

Join Steve Odland and guest Rita Meyerson, a principal researcher in The Conference Board Human Capital Center, to find out how well-being affects our lives, why organizations must be deliberate in their well-being initiatives, and why the C-Suite needs to set the tone. 

(00:54) Well-Being Beyond the Workplace
(01:59) Impact of COVID on Well-Being
(02:38) Leaders' Role in Employee Well-Being
(04:19) Empathy and Leadership
(08:08) Generational Differences in Well-Being
(09:35) Building Trust and Relationships
(15:35) Strategies for Enhancing Well-Being
(31:50) Conclusion and Future Outlook

For more from The Conference Board: 

• Addressing the Employee Well-Being Crisis: A Leadership Opportunity 

• The Next Frontier for Employee Well-Being 

• The Reimagined Workplace 2024: Leading in the Transformed World of Work 

The latest survey results from The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® show consumers in the US have positive views about current and future business conditions, but their overall feelings about the economy remain mixed, and they are still worried about high prices, inflation and unemployment. 

Join Erik Lundh, Senior Economist, Global at The Conference Board and Stephanie Guichard, Senior Economist, Global Indicators at The Conference Board, to find out how US consumer sentiment could soften spending in the second half of 2024. 

(00:30) U.S. Consumer Confidence Overview
(01:33) Factors Influencing Consumer Confidence
(02:33) Labor Market and Recession Risks
(06:14) Inflation and Interest Rates
(08:04) Consumer Financial Sentiments
(12:20) Buying Plans and Durable Goods
(16:45) Global Economic Forecast
(33:00) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

For more on this topic from The Conference Board:  

• Consumer Confidence Survey 

• Economic Forecast for the US Economy 

• Economy Watch: United States  

2024 Distinguished Leadership Award recipient Raj Subramaniam explains how FedEx thinks about sustainability, data, culture and much more. 

FedEx aims to have carbon-neutral operations by 2040, and that will require careful management of 5,000 facilities and 200,000 motorized vehicles. How can FedEx do this while making millions of deliveries every day, continuing to innovate, and leveraging its data to improve supply chains globally? 

Join Dr. Lori Esposito Murray and guest Raj Subramaniam, President & CEO of FedEx, to find out the three principles today’s leaders need, how FedEx leverages physical networks and proprietary data, and its plans for meeting ambitious sustainability goals. 

(01:51) Leadership and Risk Management
(03:58) Navigating the Pandemic
(05:55) FedEx's World-Class Culture
(08:49) Innovation at FedEx
(13:50) Global Economic Insights: China and India
(17:57) The Importance of Trade Policy
(20:47) Sustainability Goals and Future Challenges

For more from The Conference Board: 

• 2024 Distinguished Leadership Awards 

• Organizing for Success in Corporate Sustainability 2.0 

• Silos to Synergy: Building a Cohesive Sustainability Strategy 

This Leadership in Challenging Times discussion is featured as a C-Suite Perspectives podcast and a special CED Policy Watch Webcast. Leadership in Challenging Times features timely and insightful discussions with the outstanding CEOs who are recipients of CED’s Distinguished Leadership Awards. Business leader honorees discuss the unprecedented challenges facing the nation and how they are helping chart a path forward for both their companies and communities in which they operate. 

With temperatures rising and countries trailing on net zero goals, how can the private and public sectors adapt? 

Global temperatures are well on their way to rising 2.6 degrees Celsius by 2100, and we’re already seeing deleterious effects. How can humanity adapt to climate change—and what happens if we don’t? Join Steve Odland and guest Alex Heil, Senior Economist at The Conference Board, to discuss the most pressing risks, where we stand on 2050 emissions goals, and how the private and public sectors should help our world adapt. 

(00:10) Understanding Climate Change
(01:12) Current Climate Trends and Projections
(03:48) Regional Impacts of Climate Change
(07:40) Adaptation and Resilience
(09:54) Global Efforts and Policies
(13:54) Technological Solutions and Sequestration
(20:42) Risk Assessment and Personal Actions
(26:09) Role of Private and Public Sectors

For more from The Conference Board: 

• Hitting the Reset Button on ESG: Setting Strategy in a Time of Uncertainty 

• Beyond Carbon: Why Methane Matters 

• Carbon Emissions Continue to Rise Despite Massive Clean Energy Investments 

The next five to 10 years could yield unprecedented, life-changing innovation in artificial intelligence (AI). Can industry and governments capitalize on this moment by finding the right balance of business innovation, AI regulation, and cybersecurity best practices? 

Join Dr. Lori Esposito Murray and guest Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, to find out why consistent AI regulation is important, how Arora built an innovation culture at Palo Alto, and why cybersecurity is more important than ever. 

(01:24) Nikesh's Leadership Journey
(01:46) Key Pillars of Leadership
(04:30) Navigating Uncertainty and AI 
(05:45) The Evolution of AI
(12:59) Balancing Innovation and Regulation
(15:28) Building an Innovative Culture
(18:44) Future of Cybersecurity and Technology

For more from The Conference Board: 

• 2024 Distinguished Leadership Awards 

• AI and Cybersecurity Rank Among Top 2024 Issues for CEOs 

• Principles for AI Guardrails in the US: Safety, Security, and Innovation 

The latest Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence™ in collaboration with The Business Council reveals cautious optimism among US CEOs, with only 30% expecting a recession in the next 12 to 18 months. What do CEOs expect in terms of hiring and wages, and what are the biggest risks they see in the marketplace? 

Join Steve Odland and guest Dana Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board, to find out why recession has faded as an immediate fear, whether CEOs plan to reduce headcount, and why they’re especially worried about cyber risks right now. 

(00:28) Overview of the CEO Confidence Survey
(01:13) Current CEO Sentiment and Market Conditions
(02:44) CEO Predictions on Recession
(05:10) Labor Market and Wage Trends
(07:18) Industry-Specific Insights
(13:45) Impact of Interest Rates on Housing
(15:59) Tech Sector Dynamics
(18:07) Key Risks Identified by CEOs

For more from The Conference Board: 

• The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence™  

• CEO Confidence Improves Globally, But Little Pain Relief Is Expected for Europe 

• C-Suite Outlook 2024: Leading for Tomorrow 

With 40% of the US living in coastal areas, the risk of flooding from stronger storms and rising sea levels isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a looming crisis for businesses, insurers, and governments. How can businesses and governments assess the risks, update their strategies, and balance the needs of all stakeholders, including residents? 

Join Steve Odland and guest Alex Heil, PhD, Senior Economist at The Conference Board, to explore the rising costs of more severe flooding, the challenges of urban planning and development in flood-prone areas, and how businesses can build resilience against these risks.  

(00:08) Overview of Economic Impact of Flooding
(00:41) Discussion on Recent Flooding Events 
(01:53) Global Warming and Weather Events 
(04:12) Development in Flood-Prone Areas 
(06:22) Economic Costs of Flooding
(09:30) Insurance Industry Challenges 
(13:49) Business Adaptation Strategies
(25:17) Public Policy and Flood Management

For more from The Conference Board: 

• Under Water: How Will Firms Respond to Ever More Severe and Frequent Flooding? 

• Extreme Heat Is Causing Business Disruptions and Higher Costs 

• Climate Lawsuits: A Rising Threat for Business  

Consumers are happy to be working, but they’re still concerned about elevated prices and interest rates. That’s according to The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® for July. 

Join Markus Schomer, Senior Economist at The Conference Board, and Dana Peterson, Chief Economist and Leader of the Economy, Strategy & Finance Center, to find out what’s affecting US consumer attitudes and spending—and how it fits into the bigger picture of economic growth around the world.  

(00:36) Key Insights from the July Consumer Confidence Survey 
(00:55) Consumer Concerns: Inflation, Interest Rates, and Politics 
(01:46) Labor Market and Economic Expectations
(03:57) Consumer Spending and Financial Sentiment
(05:33) Recession Fears and Economic Indicators 
(10:49) Durable Goods and Service Spending Trends
(17:17) Global Economic Outlook 
(26:20) Inflation and Central Bank Policies 

For more on this topic from The Conference Board:  

• Consumer Confidence Survey 

• Economic Forecast for the US Economy 

• Economy Watch: United States  

Most workers and leaders believe in the benefits of hybrid work, but they're struggling to measure these effects or find an approach that serves all employees. How can human capital leaders create a compelling vision for new hybrid policies? 

Join Diana Scott and guest Matt Rosenbaum, Principal Researcher in the Human Capital Center at The Conference Board, to find out about the shortcomings of existing metrics, why hybrid policies require a clear vision, and the benefits of training people on how to work in this new reality. 

For more from The Conference Board: 

• Hybrid 2.0: Optimize Not Compromise 

• Are You Redesigning Your Workplace for the Hybrid World? 

• Job Satisfaction 2024: Is US Job Satisfaction at Risk?