I by IMD

What it means to be “working-age” is changing, and so too are the ways in which people look at their careers. The traditional “three-stage” life is giving way to a “multi-stage” life, and businesses that fail to adapt to this new reality are in danger of being left behind.

In this special episode of the IMD Podcast Network, we bring together two of the world’s most influential thinkers to discuss the future of work and leadership. Host Andrew Sharman, Adjunct Professor of Risk, Resilience and Safety Culture at IMD and author of Who Cares Wins, is joined by the globally renowned author Lynda Gratton to explore the profound implications of her book, The 100-Year Life.

Lynda and Andrew dive into what it means to live and work for longer. They discuss why leadership must evolve to accommodate ageing populations,” the challenge of transforming organisations to support multi-stage careers, and how “care” is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity. They tackle tough questions, like how leaders should balance empathy with productivity, and outline the importance of “unlearning” old habits.

Poul Weihrauch explains how family ownership gives him the opportunity to prioritize purpose alongside profit.

In an era where CEOs are under relentless pressure to deliver short-term gains while also addressing long-term challenges like sustainability, Poul Weihrauch considers himself fortunate. As the CEO of Mars – the 114-year-old, family-owned confectionery and pet care giant – he operates with a rare advantage: time.

“We like to say that we act in generations, not in quarters,” says Weihrauch, who joined the firm 25 years ago and steadily rose through the ranks.

Thanks to the Mars family’s long-term outlook and the company’s practice of reinvesting over 90% of its profits annually, Weihrauch has the freedom to prioritize lasting impact over short-term wins. The company evaluates success through four “compass quarters”: strong financial performance, quality growth, positive societal impact, and trusted partners. Notably, 40% of the long term compensation of Mars’ top 2,000 leaders, including Weihrauch, is tied to non-financial goals, an unusual commitment for a company of this scale in a corporate world still dominated by quarterly earnings targets.

AI is a double-edged sword for the environment. Its growth requires masses of energy, water, and rare earth metals. The LLMs of tomorrow may even require the world to bring old power plants, powered by fossil fuels, back online. On the other hand, AI has the potential to accelerate sustainable transformation by providing innovative approaches to energy production and consumption.

So, is AI a groundbreaking innovation or an environmental burden? Might it one day save our planet?

Today on the IMD podcast network, we're bringing you an episode of Mike and Amit Talk Tech, in which our hosts discuss AI and sustainability with Julia Binder, Professor of Sustainable Innovation and Business Transformation at IMD. To find out more about Mike Wade & Amit Joshi's latest book, "Gain: Demystifying Gen AI for Office and Home", visit the IMD website here or buy it directly from Amazon. 

What got you here won’t get you there. But that’s not all, says Kevin O’Brien, CEO of Gammon Construction in conversation with Professor Ric Roi. You’re also going to need to really unpack the detail of your new brief, marshal the data to spot the opportunities, figure out how to unlock future potential, and bring everyone with you on the journey. 

Richard Baldwin delves into the Trump administration, and what to glean from months of economic madness. Looking ahead, Richard discussed how trade and tariffs will directly impact businesses, from small enterprises to large corporations, and what business leaders can do to mitigate risk potential regional variations and sector-specific impacts. 

Historian-turned-business-professor Martin Gutmann talks to IMD’s Howard Yu about busting the “hero” myth, how Churchill really won WWII, and the silent strategist who conquered both poles while the flashy explorers froze. Along the way he reveals humility as the ultimate power-skill and hands leaders a playbook for quietly, predictably winning. 

Richard Edelman, CEO of the communications firm Edelman, explores in a conversation with Cynthia Hansen, Managing Director of Adecco Group’s Innovation Foundation, why so many people are dissatisfied with authority and institutions.

This interview with Ruchita Sinha, partner at AV8 Ventures, explores her journey from science to venture capital and her approach to early-stage investing. She discusses AV8’s focus on AI-driven innovation in healthcare, enterprise tech, and financial services, and shares insights on evaluating founders, what distinguishes a good company builder, navigating tough situations, and making impactful investment decisions beyond just picking winners.

Leaders are under pressure to project certainty and to know all the answers. In this interview podcast, Julie Linn Teigland, a Managing Partner at EY, tells IMD’s Howard Yu why it’s better to admit you’re unsure and collaborate to find a solution.

*****

Read our magazine, I by IMD, here: https://www.imd.org/ibyimd/

Discover IMD's leadership programmes here: https://www.imd.org/leadership-programs