Meet the Leader
Why Great Teamwork Outperforms Raw Talent: An Astronaut Explains
Teamwork beats raw talent. It’s a fact astronauts know well but one that Earthbound teams can sometimes overlook. European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti shares what space crews understand about building teams that work well together – and the shift preparation undertook to make that happen. She shares what mentors taught her about being a great team member and why the ‘experience’ of the work day is as important as the task at hand. She also details what’s next for space sovereignty and the capabilities ESA is working to strengthen as agencies like hers become partners, not just customers, in the space ecosystem of the future. The first European female astronaut to do a spacewalk will also explain why the gender gap in space is finally closing—and what other sectors can learn from long-term changes in STEM pipelines. This interview was recorded in January 2026 at the Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
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30 mins
Featured episodes:
Leaders from business and beyond talk about leadership, teamwork and decision-making.
Hosted by:
Linda Lacina
Digital Editor, World Economic Forum
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Why Great Teamwork Outperforms Raw Talent: An Astronaut Explains
• 30 mins
Teamwork beats raw talent. It’s a fact astronauts know well but one that Earthbound teams can sometimes overlook. European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti shares what space crews understand about building teams that work well together – and the shift preparation undertook to make that happen. She shares what mentors taught her about being a great team member and why the ‘experience’ of the work day is as important as the task at hand. She also details what’s next for space sovereignty and the capabilities ESA is working to strengthen as agencies like hers become partners, not just customers, in the space ecosystem of the future. The first European female astronaut to do a spacewalk will also explain why the gender gap in space is finally closing—and what other sectors can learn from long-term changes in STEM pipelines. This interview was recorded in January 2026 at the Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
• 30 mins
Teamwork beats raw talent. It’s a fact astronauts know well but one that Earthbound teams can sometimes overlook. European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti shares what space crews understand about building teams that work well together – and the shift preparation undertook to make that happen. She shares what mentors taught her about being a great team member and why the ‘experience’ of the work day is as important as the task at hand. She also details what’s next for space sovereignty and the capabilities ESA is working to strengthen as agencies like hers become partners, not just customers, in the space ecosystem of the future. The first European female astronaut to do a spacewalk will also explain why the gender gap in space is finally closing—and what other sectors can learn from long-term changes in STEM pipelines. This interview was recorded in January 2026 at the Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Meet the Leader at 200: Top tips, pivots and lessons learned so far
• 48 mins
Learn when you listen. Know your strengths can be weaknesses. Take your space before someone takes it for you. This 200th 'Best of' episode collects hard-won lessons learned and one-of-a-kind moments from this podcast's past 6 years. Listen to the late Jane Goodall recall a transformative run-in with a grumpy cabbie or hear the critical question that helped AWS teams get future-ready. It’s a hit parade of top names, from IKEA to Microsoft, from Misty Copeland to Matt Damon, drawing insights and turning points that have shaped CEOs, startup founders, actors, activists, fashion designers, AI pioneers, best-selling authors and more find solutions and drive meaningful change.
• 48 mins
Learn when you listen. Know your strengths can be weaknesses. Take your space before someone takes it for you. This 200th 'Best of' episode collects hard-won lessons learned and one-of-a-kind moments from this podcast's past 6 years. Listen to the late Jane Goodall recall a transformative run-in with a grumpy cabbie or hear the critical question that helped AWS teams get future-ready. It’s a hit parade of top names, from IKEA to Microsoft, from Misty Copeland to Matt Damon, drawing insights and turning points that have shaped CEOs, startup founders, actors, activists, fashion designers, AI pioneers, best-selling authors and more find solutions and drive meaningful change.
Why Smart Ideas Fail—and How to Build Curious Teams (5 Skills)
• 0 mins
In an AI era, the real competitive advantage won’t come from generating more ideas, but picking the right idea to take forward. Leaders who foster cultures of creativity and curiosity will build teams better able to sharpen focus, challenge assumptions, and execute in the most effective and compelling ways. Liberty Science Center CEO Paul Hoffman is a noted expert on connecting the public to the sciences. He’ll explain how that major cultural institution makes complex ideas clear and irresistible. The long-time science writer, puzzle maker, brainstorming expert and former head of the Encyclopaedia Britannica shares lessons from his eclectic background on how leaders can harness a team’s natural curiosity to drive fresh thinking and innovation. You’ll learn: - Why clarity matters in innovation - and why the audience is usually right - How to model the creative behaviors you want to see in your team - Which qualities creative, curious teams always have in common This episode was recorded at the Urban Transformation Summit, San Francisco (October 2025).
• 0 mins
In an AI era, the real competitive advantage won’t come from generating more ideas, but picking the right idea to take forward. Leaders who foster cultures of creativity and curiosity will build teams better able to sharpen focus, challenge assumptions, and execute in the most effective and compelling ways. Liberty Science Center CEO Paul Hoffman is a noted expert on connecting the public to the sciences. He’ll explain how that major cultural institution makes complex ideas clear and irresistible. The long-time science writer, puzzle maker, brainstorming expert and former head of the Encyclopaedia Britannica shares lessons from his eclectic background on how leaders can harness a team’s natural curiosity to drive fresh thinking and innovation. You’ll learn: - Why clarity matters in innovation - and why the audience is usually right - How to model the creative behaviors you want to see in your team - Which qualities creative, curious teams always have in common This episode was recorded at the Urban Transformation Summit, San Francisco (October 2025).
Matt Damon and Gary White: Why the Global Water Crisis Is Really a Finance Problem
• 32 mins
2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water. Solving this problem will take more than charity - it will take a new approach to scaling partnerships, awareness and funding. In this episode, Water.org’s co-founders Matt Damon and Gary White share the unique approach to mico-loans and investments than have helped to bridge the water gap for 85 million people. They explain why creating an economic flywheel for change can bring truly sustainable solutions. They also share what they’ve learned about scale and from each other in a partnership that has now spanned 17 years. This episode was recorded at the Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2026.
• 32 mins
2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water. Solving this problem will take more than charity - it will take a new approach to scaling partnerships, awareness and funding. In this episode, Water.org’s co-founders Matt Damon and Gary White share the unique approach to mico-loans and investments than have helped to bridge the water gap for 85 million people. They explain why creating an economic flywheel for change can bring truly sustainable solutions. They also share what they’ve learned about scale and from each other in a partnership that has now spanned 17 years. This episode was recorded at the Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2026.
Suleika Jaouad: Harnessing Creativity and Curiosity to Lead Through Uncertainty
• 37 mins
For Suleika Jaouad, a best-selling author and 3-time cancer survivor, journaling became a creative outlet during her battles with leukemia as well as a powerful tool for navigating uncertainty. It also became a surprising way to connect with others leading to singular projects that have stuck a chord with hundreds of thousands such as her book, The Book of Alchemy, and her 300,000 member Substack, The Isolation Journals, projects that merge journal prompts and personal essays from the top creative minds of our time. She breaks down practical ways anyone can carve out time for reflection, curiosity and vulnerability and how such a practice can strengthen resilience and connection while sharpening clarity in an age defined by noise and loneliness. And in an era where we write prompts for AI, but question ourselves less and less, she reminds us of the role deeper thought plays in understanding our world and ourselves better. This is a conversation about choosing meaning over motion—and learning to live each day with intention.
• 37 mins
For Suleika Jaouad, a best-selling author and 3-time cancer survivor, journaling became a creative outlet during her battles with leukemia as well as a powerful tool for navigating uncertainty. It also became a surprising way to connect with others leading to singular projects that have stuck a chord with hundreds of thousands such as her book, The Book of Alchemy, and her 300,000 member Substack, The Isolation Journals, projects that merge journal prompts and personal essays from the top creative minds of our time. She breaks down practical ways anyone can carve out time for reflection, curiosity and vulnerability and how such a practice can strengthen resilience and connection while sharpening clarity in an age defined by noise and loneliness. And in an era where we write prompts for AI, but question ourselves less and less, she reminds us of the role deeper thought plays in understanding our world and ourselves better. This is a conversation about choosing meaning over motion—and learning to live each day with intention.