EP167: How To Evolve From Boss To Leader

AI is changing everything, but not in the way most leaders think. In this episode, Rishad Tobaccowala breaks down how we got here, from the early days of broadcast marketing to today’s fast-moving, AI-powered world. He explains why the current moment is different, what’s actually changing and what still matters more than ever.

If you’ve been hearing about AI strategy and wondering where to start, this conversation will shift your perspective. Rishad makes the case that focusing on AI alone is a trap and instead challenges leaders to rethink their entire organization, their role and how they create value. He also shares a powerful framework for moving from control to inspiration and why imagination is becoming one of the most important leadership skills.

You’ll walk away with practical ways to think about talent, structure your team and stay competitive in a world that’s evolving faster than ever. Whether you’re leading a team or just trying to keep up, this episode will give you a clearer way forward.

Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op.

About Rishad Tobaccowala:

Rishad Tobaccowala was named by BusinessWeek as one of the top business leaders for his pioneering innovation, and TIME magazine dubbed him one of five “Marketing Innovators”. He is one of only 300 people elected to the Advertising Hall of Fame since 1948.

Rishad is the author of Restoring the Soul of Business: Staying Human in The Age of Data which helps people think, feel, and see differently about how to grow their companies, their teams, and themselves to remain relevant in transformational time, and Rethinking Work which helps people thrive amidst the seismic changes that will occur at work due a combination of changing demographics, new mindsets, the rise of distributed work, and the spread of AI. 

Rishad Tobaccowala remains a Senior Advisor to the Publicis Groupe where he has spent his entire career, most recently serving as the Chief Growth Officer and Chief Strategist of the 100,000+ person firm. Prior to those roles Rishad was the Chairman of Digitas and Razorfish.

About Tessa Burg:

Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [e-mail].