Staying Principled in a Time of Uncertainty

About this episode

How do you lead through a crisis, build an innovative company, and prepare an organization for long-term success? For Kenneth Chenault, former CEO of American Express and current chairman at General Catalyst, effective leadership starts with two responsibilities: defining reality and giving people hope. Chenault, who led Amex from 2001 to 2018, navigated the company through 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis and shares the leadership principles and practices that helped him steer the company through uncertainty, foster innovation, and build a culture of accountability. Chenault explains how leaders can establish clear priorities when the stakes are high, encourage employees to speak up about problems, and challenge the status quo. He also shares lessons from his own leadership development, including how he learned to become a better listener, how outgoing leaders can set their successors up for success, and why diversity remains a core business commitment. Chenault is author of the new book Equal to the Task: A Life Forged Between America’s Promise and Its Truth.