
Plan for the future, episode 70 of Leadership Kung Fu is here!
Today Jen and Sandi welcome Doug Stephens to the show to talk about his latest book The Future of Competitive Advantage: A Business Plan to Save Your Customers, Your Company, and Democracy and how to navigate a leadership role in an uncertain business world. Join them in their dive into the texts and discuss:
- Doug’s accolades as an author and futurist
- How workplaces are changing as political and economical climates change
- How silence is no longer considered “neutral”
- An example of Patagonia and Bear’s Ears Monument as an act of defending a value core to the brand
- Doug’s 3 main ideas in his newest novel
- What collective prosperity looks like
- What “stoking white male anxiety” has done to workforces over the decades of different workforces
- DEI and the role in male anxiety
- Where the workforce has trended due to these factors
- Bryce Hoffman’s American Icon
- The difference between fairness and equality
and much more!
Thank you so much for joining us on Leadership Kung Fu, Doug!
You can connect with Doug on LinkedIn, check out his blog, and his business website!
As a business owner or leader, are not alone in your fears for our society and the future. Knowing that there are other business leaders and executives out there who are just as concerned as you, who are seeking to learn more about how they and their organizations can become part of the solution to saving democracy.
Doug recommends establishing or joining a community of like- minded business leaders. Here are few places he suggests you might start:
https://leadershipnowproject.org/
Leadership Now Project (U.S.): A membership organization of
business leaders who believe democracy is the foundation for a thriving economy and a politically engaged citizenry. LNP invests in leaders, influences policy, responds to risks, and partners to drive solutions. LNP’s membership is national, with members in more than 25 states and chapters in 8, drawing on extensive business and alumni networks to drive local and national impact.
The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (U.K.): WFD is a public body dedicated to strengthening democracy around the world. Through its programs, expertise, and international partnerships, WFD helps solve problems of democracy so that democracies can address challenges, from climate change to corruption.
Business for America (U.S.): Business for America is a nonpartisan nonprofit business organization that focuses solely on improving America’s civic health by increasing civic participation and voter turnout, restoring trust in elections and democratic institutions, reducing gridlock and polarization, and setting a positive example for business engagement in the political sector.
Civic Alliance (U.S.): The Civic Alliance is a nonpartisan coalition of businesses united by a commitment to democracy. The Civic Alliance supports its member companies as they inspire their employees and consumers to engage in civic life and their communities.
Institute for Strategic Dialogue (U.S. and Europe): This group is dedicated to safeguarding democracy and human rights by reversing the rising global tide of polarization, extremism, and authoritarianism.
https://defenddemocracy.eu/about/mission/
Defend Democracy: Defend Democracy is an independent, non-partisan, nonprofit civil society organization with the mission of strengthening and defending democracy against foreign, domestic, and technological threats. Defend Democracy is registered as a non-profit foundation in The Hague, the international city of peace, justice, and security, and while most of its day- to- day work is done in Brussels, it engages both European and transatlantic allies.
Samara Centre for Democracy (Canada): This nonpartisan charity produces research and holds events that advance a vibrant culture of civic engagement across Canada. The Samara Centre works to support a resilient democracy with responsive institutions, shaped by an engaged public.
Thank you so much for listening! If you like what you hear, leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform, and make sure to check out the video under the “Videos” tab or over on the Leadership Kung Fu Youtube Channel!
Connect with Jen on LinkedIn and visit her website Own Up!®
Connect with Sandi on LinkedIn and visit her website Satori Consulting, Inc!
Have a comment, question, or topic for Sandi and Jen? Email us at podcast@dramafreeworkforce.com or leave us a comment on LinkedIn.






