In this episode, Pascal sits down with Brian Brault, a leadership development expert who runs programs at MIT with the Entrepreneurs Organization, to explore how leadership has fundamentally evolved in our rapidly changing world. Brian shares insights on the shift from traditional “smartest person in the room” leadership to emotionally intelligent, authentic leadership that prioritizes building teams and genuinely caring for people. The conversation delves into the fascinating duality modern leaders face: being vulnerable and empathetic with human teams while maintaining strict control and boundaries when managing AI agents and systems. Brian emphasizes the critical difference between “being vulnerable” and “leading with vulnerability,” explaining how authentic leaders can acknowledge uncertainty while still providing direction and commitment. The discussion covers the future of organizational structures, the continuing importance of middle management despite Silicon Valley trends, and practical advice for leaders navigating the “messy middle” of technological disruption. Brian concludes with actionable guidance for emerging and established leaders looking to adapt their leadership style, including the power of mentorship and leveraging personal strengths rather than focusing on weaknesses.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Leadership Evolution
01:10 The Shift from IQ to EQ in Leadership
04:00 Trust, Authenticity, and Stakeholder Balance
05:50 The AI Leadership Paradox: Humans vs Machines
09:17 Data Accuracy and Decision-Making in the AI Era
11:35 Outdated vs Essential Leadership Skills
12:22 Brian's Story: Learning to Lead Without All the Answers
16:17 Creating Organizations of Leaders, Not Followers
17:44 Leading Into the Unknown and Career Transitions
21:48 Building Empowered Teams and Strategic Clarity
22:15 The Future of Organizational Structure and Middle Management
26:24 Defining Vulnerable vs Leading with Vulnerability
28:57 Practical Advice for Adapting Leadership Style
33:40 Where to Find Brian and Legacy of Significance
↗ Brian's company: Legacy of Significance
↗ Connect with Brian on LinkedIn
Popular Podcasts
Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!