Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1012 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Amid a moment when uncertainty defines every industry and leaders everywhere are confronting fear disguised as strategy, it is worth turning to someone who has spent his career decoding how individuals and organizations find the courage to act, which is why this week’s guest, , offers such rare authority. Ranjay is the Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 1942 Professor at , a globally recognized organizational sociologist, bestselling author, and one of the world’s most cited scholars on leadership,...
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Welcome to episode #1011 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). We tend to romanticize leadership as an act of personal brilliance, but the deeper story is often about the people who understand what truly moves human beings toward one another. has built a career around that question. A renowned human behavioral scientist, consultant and creator of the long-running - a global, invitation-only experiment where guests cook together anonymously to dissolve status cues and foster authentic connection - Jon has spent over fifteen years studying why people bond,...
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Welcome to episode #1010 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). What if the search for our “true selves” has been leading us away from who we actually need to become? That’s the tension at the heart of ’s work, a globally respected authority on people analytics, talent, leadership, and the Human–AI interface whose career spans , , , , , and decades of research that have shaped how organizations understand human behavior. His latest book, challenges one of the most cherished modern beliefs - that success comes from projecting our raw, unfiltered selves - and...
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Welcome to episode #1009 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). The future isn’t something to predict... it’s something to practice. Few people embody that idea more completely than , a designer, futurist and author whose work has quietly influenced some of the most innovative companies on the planet - from , , and to , where he served as head of design. In his new book, , Nick challenges the way we imagine what comes next. Rather than offering forecasts, he explores four mindsets - could, should, might, and don’t - that shape how individuals and organizations...
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Welcome to episode #1008 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). What if artificial intelligence didn’t just build faster startups... but redefined what it means to be an entrepreneur? has been exploring that question for years. As the co-founder of (the company behind and the new ) and (the startup studio that helped launch ventures like , , and ), Henrik (who also has a great podcast called, ) has spent his career creating businesses that live at the intersection of creativity, community and technology. Now, with his new book , he’s rethinking...
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Welcome to episode #1007 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). The debate over hybrid work has become one of the most emotionally charged topics in business... but few people have studied it as deeply as , the George W. Taylor Professor of Management at the and Director of its . In his latest book, , co-authored with , Peter challenges the idea that remote work is the inevitable future of knowledge work. Drawing from decades of research and real-world case studies, he argues that while technology has allowed us to untether from our desks, it has also quietly eroded...
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Welcome to episode #1006 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Disruption isn’t always loud. It’s often quiet, slow and deeply human. That’s one of the lessons has spent his career unpacking. As a leading voice on innovation and the managing partner emeritus at (the consultancy founded by the late ), Scott has helped global companies navigate the uncertainty that comes with change. He si currently a Clinical Professor of Strategy at 's . His latest book, , reframes how we think about progress through stories that stretch from gunpowder to generative AI,...
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Welcome to episode #1005 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Every major leap in human connection starts as a simple question: what if? For , that question led to the invention of the cable modem and the birth of broadband internet access as we know it. Often called the “father of the cable modem,” Rouzbeh is a visionary engineer and entrepreneur whose work transformed how billions of people access information. His new book, , traces the improbable journey from an idea nobody believed in (“why would anyone want the internet at home?”) to the global...
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Welcome to episode #1004 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). What does it really mean to lead with values when so much of modern business seems built on quarterly results and surface-level culture? has spent his career proving that sustainable performance isn’t just about financial results. It’s about the alignment between who you are and what you stand for. As founder and chairman of (a marketing agency), Bob built a company repeatedly recognized as one of the best places to work. Beyond the accolades, he is an author of seven books, including , and his...
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Welcome to episode #1003 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). When you look closely at leadership, it often seems like a conversation about others… how to motivate, how to manage, how to inspire. But what if the real work starts somewhere far more intimate… with yourself? , a distinguished educator, consultant and leadership expert, has spent years making the case that true leadership begins with self-awareness. It’s the quiet realization that the patterns of your past, your assumptions and your worldview don’t just shape who you are… they shape how you...
info_outlineWelcome to episode #974 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.
Rishad Tobaccowala is one of those rare thinkers who can seamlessly connect the dots between business, technology, media, and human behavior - so it’s always a pleasure to have him back on the show. A true industry veteran, Rishad has spent decades shaping the marketing and media landscape, from his time as Global Chief Strategist and Growth Officer at Publicis Groupe to becoming a sought-after author, advisor, and speaker. His latest book, Rethinking Work - Seismic Changes In The Where, When, And Why, dives deep into the fundamental shifts happening in the workforce, from the decline of the 9-to-5 model to the rise of hybrid work, decentralized careers, and leadership that prioritizes talent over corporate loyalty. Rishad’s first book is Restoring The Soul Of Business and his newsletter, The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past, and podcast, What Next?, are not to be missed. In our conversation, we explore the evolving role of leadership, the impact of AI on employment, and how brands must rethink trust in an era where consumers are more aligned with individuals than institutions. Rishad also shares his insights on how businesses can remain relevant by embracing change rather than resisting it, and why the future of work will require companies to shift from management-driven structures to ones that emphasize agility, learning, and human connection. Thoughtful, provocative, and always ahead of the curve, Rishad brings the kind of clarity we need as we navigate a world of constant disruption. If you want to stay relevant in a fast-changing business landscape, this episode is one you won’t want to miss. Enjoy the conversation...
- Running time: 1:08:19.
- Hello from beautiful Montreal.
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- or you can connect on LinkedIn.
- ...or on X.
- Here is my conversation with Rishad Tobaccowala.
- Rethinking Work - Seismic Changes In The Where, When, And Why.
- Restoring The Soul Of Business.
- The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past.
- What Next?
- Book Rishad for your next meeting on ThinkersOne.
- Follow Rishad on LinkedIn.
- Follow Rishad on Instagram.
- This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.
Chapters:
(00:00) - Introduction to Rishad.
(03:08) - The Political Landscape of Tech and Media.
(06:06) - The Power Dynamics of Big Tech.
(09:03) - The Influence of Money in Politics.
(11:55) - The Shift in Consumer Trust.
(15:08) - The Erosion of Brand Trust.
(17:52) - The Changing Nature of Work.
(20:53) - The Crisis of Leadership in Business.
(35:15) - The Entrepreneurial Vision and Workforce Dynamics.
(36:25) - Leadership vs. Management: The New Paradigm.
(37:45) - Diversity in the Workplace: Ageism and Work Styles.
(38:44) - The Irrelevance of Traditional Business Models.
(39:57) - The Importance of In-Person Interaction.
(41:40) - The Future of Work: Hybrid and Remote Models.
(43:34) - AI's Impact on Employment and Business Structure.
(46:32) - The Transformation of Knowledge Work.
(49:50) - Reimagining Business Strategies in the Age of AI.
(52:33) - The Financial Play: Mergers and Market Relevance.
(56:18) - Aligning Talent and Corporate Goals.
(01:01:48) - The Future of Work: Companies as Talent Aggregators.