Ever drive through a wealthy neighborhood and wonder how those living in those mansions got there? Is it just luck, or is there a secret that the wealthy and successful know that we do not? How do you achieve success?

In the quest to understand myself, I delved into personal branding. I figured the rest would become clear if I understood my brand. I've invested (a lot) in coaches, programs, and courses, all in the pursuit of defining my unique identity. From CliftonStrengths to Myers-Briggs, I've mapped out my strengths and weaknesses, as well as my motivations and fears.

What sort of a leader are you? Have you thought deeply about what leadership means? I guess you have or would not have found your way here. I have been in the corporate and executive space for over 20 years. I have run global teams and developed award-winning global programs. This has led me to be quite opinionated on what leadership principles will work in tomorrow’s world.

Hey there! You know how some days at work you’re just “there”? Like, your body’s in the office, but your mind’s completely elsewhere – maybe on a beach somewhere?

I know that feeling well. A boss once told me, “Simon, when you are on, there is no one like you. But, when you are off, who knows where you are?” I spent years figuring this out and fixing it.

So I have started and stopped writing this article all weekend. This is such a tricky topic, as AI has a sketchy history with DEI. In 2018 Amazon scrapped its 'secret' AI recruiting tool, which was found to discriminate against women. Havard Business Review wrote an article in 2019 that showed that built bias from the data in some AI recruitment tools added anti-black bias. And let's not forget how Google's image processing identified black people a few years back.

The AI revolution has smacked into us like a rove wave; will you surf it or capsize? Whether we like it or not or understand the technology, we have no choice but to adapt. Plus, the AI revolution is just beginning; as the models get more powerful, the impact on our lives will get more visceral. I don't know about you; my TikTok feed is full of creators preaching the latest ways to use AI to make money, create efficiencies, or hack their jobs.

As the workplace evolves, CIOs, CEOs, and all other C's face the challenge of navigating the expectations of a diverse, multi-generational workforce. The key to success lies in understanding and embracing the distinct values and priorities of each generation, with a focus on the rising influence of Gen Z. In this article, we'll delve into strategies for company leadership to adapt and thrive in this changing landscape, addressing the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), technology adoption, global workforce, and talent retention.

Gone are the days when the corporate world thrived on a one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. Understanding the subtle art of leadership versus management is key to driving real impact and success in the modern workplace. In an evolving world of work, where teams are increasingly remote, hybrid, and geographically diverse, and a new generation coming of age with radically different values, adopting the right leadership style can make or break team morale and productivity.

The pandemic has completely changed the way we work. With remote work becoming the norm for many, companies are rethinking their approach to work culture, employee engagement, and work-life balance. In this new hybrid work environment, it's more important than ever to create a workplace culture that's inclusive, diverse, and supportive of all employees, no matter where they're located.

As DEI leaders and those who are driven to be change makers, we must stay current. I thought I would share the books that I have either read or re-read in the last six months. It is only through learning and growing that we become better and can turf out the old playbooks.

An interview with Chong Ahn (Head of Product Management) at Electronic Arts. To see more of my thoughts go to www.simonjamescourt.com

I have re-discovered an industry I have long been fascinated with - not for the industry itself, but its ability to touch and influence at scale. It is an industry where no matter your age, gender, ethnicity, or any other identity group, you are included - yet so many feel excluded at the same time.

Today, my heart hurts.

It hurts for a community that has been pushed so far to the fringes that their only option to be heard is to protest and riot. It hurts that nothing will probably change.

My heart hurts that violence towards black communities is increasing and that a small percentage of the police think it is OK to kill an unarmed black person.

It is Saturday morning, early. My partner and I are up because we have a new puppy—5:30 a.m. early on the weekend! We do the diligent puppy dad thing, and off we go finding a hill for a bit of a hike. I'm not sure if it was as much for her or for us, and the knowledge that she will now sleep for half the day—an exhausted dog is a great dog.

We are in a global pandemic, the first in over 100-years, yet we seem to lack leaders that show empathy - why? Countless articles purporting to 'educate' any on what empathy means and how to become empathetic. Many studies show that an empathetic leader is more effective than one who is not - yet we see less and less of it.

Last week in a leadership meeting we played a little game guessing each other's responses to various questions. One of the questions was, "if God exists and you meet him when you die, what would he say to you?" This really made me think about what legacy am I leaving in this world.

“You can only control so much, you just have to let it go. You are not in control of anything, you’re not really in control of life” Tom Ford

I love this quote, it is so true, we are passengers here. All we can control is ourselves and our reactions. We are a culmination of events that we have chosen to care about - or give a fuck about.

Leadership - what makes a good leader? I firmly believe that to lead others; you must first lead yourself - humans lead humans, so the equation is simple: be a good human first. If you do not truly know yourself to the deepest level, how can you expect to be an effective leader of others? This series is my journey to become a better leader and, more importantly, a better human.