The New Rules of Business
The New Rules of Business

On the “New Rules of Business,” Chief Co-Founders Carolyn Childers and Lindsay Kaplan join the brightest minds in business and academia to unravel complex trends and challenge preconceived notions of what leadership should look like. Learn how to lead when the old rules just don’t apply.

Call us biased, but this season of the podcast truly lived up to its promise to challenge preconceived notions of leadership. To prove it, we’ve compiled our favorite insights gleaned from a few notable guests, including Moms First Founder Reshma Saujani and Olympian Allyson Felix. Learn how the childcare crisis will stifle business growth, how maternal health impacts the C-Suite, why gender parity is so elusive, and so much more.
Trust is an essential feature for any successful relationship, but it’s often missing at work. Company leaders overestimate how much their teams trust them by as much as 40%, and women grow especially wary of their employers as their career progresses, according to research from Deloitte. Here, Wenny Katzenstein and Jasmin Jacks, Deloitte executives, explain why this trust gap exists — and what companies can do to close it.
Men still dominate the ranks of corporate leadership, which means they have an integral role to play in making workplaces more equitable for everyone. But they often underestimate the bias women face and overestimate their own efforts to confront it. Lindsay talks to Dr. Bill Kapfer, Global Head of Supplier Diversity, Community Engagement at JPMorgan Chase, and a participant in the company's Men as Allies program, about the business benefits of allyship and how men can play an active role in achieving gender equity at work.
Neurodiversity advocate Margaux Joffe has something important in common with our Co-Founder Lindsay: Both women were diagnosed with ADHD as adults. It inspired Margaux to launch Kaleidoscope Society, an organization to support women with ADHD, and to help companies like Nike and Yahoo support their neurodivergent employees. Here, Lindsay and Margaux discuss the business benefits of embracing our brain differences and how they’ve grown as leaders since being diagnosed.
Too young. Too old. Too invested in their life at home. There’s never a “right” time to be a leader — for women. That’s the key finding from the latest study conducted by gender bias expert Dr. Amy Diehl. In this episode, Lindsay talks to Dr. Diehl about how bias around caregiving plays a big role in our perceptions of women leaders (even for women without children), and what we can do to dismantle it.
Despite decades of progress, women make up only 10.4% of Fortune 500 CEOs. Why? In this episode, Carolyn talks to IBM’s Salima Lin about the troubling explanations revealed in the company’s Women In Leadership study, conducted in partnership with Chief. From looming pipeline problems to lingering bias against women leaders, the conversation is an enlightening look at must-solves for executives who care about equitable workplaces.
Sallie Krawcheck knows a little something about the ups and downs of career turns: She began as an investment banker before becoming a research analyst, CEO, CFO, and, now, the Founder and CEO of Ellevest, one of the biggest investment platforms for women. From overcoming bias to building your own personal Board of Directors, she shares with Carolyn her best advice for planning and executing a successful career pivot.
Pregnancy-related deaths for Black women are three times higher than they are for White women, and more than 80% are preventable. So why aren’t we preventing them? In this episode, Carolyn talks to Track and Field Olympian Allyson Felix about how her traumatic path to motherhood inspired her to become a maternal health advocate, how her fight against Nike led to better maternity protections for athletes, and how she’s now changing the game with her footwear brand Saysh.
Business leaders are demanding employees return to the office — right in the midst of a crisis that’s making childcare more costly and inaccessible than ever for working parents. Reshma Saujani, Founder of Moms First and Girls Who Code, explains why a workplace that supports moms benefits everyone.
Stay tuned for an all-new season of The New Rules of Business by Chief, the network that connects and supports women executives. This season, Chief Co-Founders Carolyn Childers and Lindsay Kaplan dig into complex leadership issues around neurodiversity in the workplace, the ongoing childcare crisis and its impact on business, the art of the career pivot for leaders, and why there’s no such thing as equity without male allyship to support. They’ll be joined by the best minds in business and research including Sallie Krawcheck, Reshma Saujani, and Allyson Felix. Learn the new rules of business with Chief. Season 4, coming soon.
The “move fast and break things” strategy is broken. What’s next? How can we manage incoming threats without sacrificing speed and innovation? In this episode, Lindsay talks with veteran astronaut and former Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center Dr. Ellen Ochoa about how leaders can take smarter risks in a volatile business environment. This is the last episode of Season 3 of the New Rules of Business. Stay tuned for Season 4 coming soon, and subscribe now, so you never miss an episode.
We make 2,000 decisions every hour of the day. Of course, they can’t all be perfect. But if you’re in the leadership seat, falling into a thinking trap at a crucial decision point can have devastating consequences. In this episode, Carolyn talks with Woo-Kyoung Ahn, Yale Professor and author of Thinking 101, about how executives can gain competitive advantage by understanding and avoiding the most prevalent cognitive errors.
Eighty seven percent want mental health support from their employers — and not just through policy. Beyond expensive benefits, the answer to solving the mental health crisis in offices today could be asking one simple question. On this episode, Carolyn and Lindsay talk to Amy Gilliland, President of General Dynamics Information Technology, about how she radically changed the conversation on mental health in the defense industry and how executives need to act now — before it’s too late.
While corporate America pats itself on the back for DEI programs, one of the most impactful levers for achieving racial justice and equality is about to be dismantled. In this episode, Carolyn talks with Dr. Khiara Bridges, Professor of Law at Berkeley, about the business consequences of banning affirmative action and what leaders must do to drive real progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion
With much of the business world in a tailspin, we’re all hungry for a new model of leadership — because the old ones just don’t work. In this episode, Carolyn talks with Julia Boorstin, senior correspondent at CNBC and author of "When Women Lead", about why women leaders have the qualities needed for long-term, sustainable business success.
Most companies are committed to preventing discrimination against people of different ethnicities, genders, and abilities. But what about those with resume gaps? Two out of three people have experienced a break in their careers, but the stigma remains. In this episode, Lindsay and Carolyn talk with Jennifer Carpenter, Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Executive Search at IBM, about what business stands to gain by changing the conversation around career gaps.
Executive presence takes years to cultivate, but it shows up in a millisecond. That’s especially true in the modern workplace, where each rapid-fire email presents an opportunity to make or break your credibility. In this episode, Carolyn talks with communications expert Erica Dhawan about how to lead with authenticity and empathy in the digital work environment.
Overwork is literally killing us, with long hours and workplace stress contributing to nearly one million deaths per year. But can we really afford to give it up? Dr. Stephanie Creary, Professor at the Wharton School of Business, says we can — and we must. In this episode, Lindsay talks with Stephanie about how the cult of workaholism and how to break the cycles of overwork for yourself and your team.
Productivity is tanking, and executives are scrambling for solutions to boost output. But what if continually cranking up the dial isn’t actually getting us anywhere? Is it finally time to replace this 250-year-old metric of ‘success’? On this episode, Carolyn and Lindsay talk to Laetitia Vitaud, author and speaker on the future of work, about the hidden costs of the pursuit of productivity. Continue the conversation on LinkedIn and, if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com.
Every business has non-promotable tasks — like proofing other people’s work, taking notes, and mentoring others — that need to get done by someone. Most of the time, that someone is a woman. In this episode, Lindsay talks with Dr. Lise Vesterlund, co-author of the No Club, about the burden of non-promotable work and what to do about it. Continue the conversation on LinkedIn and, if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com.
Stay tuned for an all-new season of the New Rules of Business from Chief, the most powerful network of women executives. This season, Chief Co-Founders Carolyn Childers and Lindsay Kaplan dig into complex leadership issues such as whether we can go too far in the pursuit of equity, the most damaging thinking traps for executives, and what the future holds for leadership archetypes. They’ll be joined by the best minds in business and academia including Yale Professor Woo-Kyoung Ahn, author Erica Dhawan, GDIT President Amy Gilliland, astronaut and former NASA Director Ellen Ochoa, and more.
When you’ve reached what feels like a career apex, it can be difficult to know what to pursue after. But, what if you didn’t have to pick just one lane? Increasingly, top executives are creating portfolio careers with multiple roles and income streams. Carolyn and Lindsay talk with Joanna Coles, former Chief Content Officer at Hearst Magazines, about how leaders can design what comes next. Continue the conversation on LinkedIn and, if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com.  This episode is presented by Fidelity.  Note: This episode contains explicit language.
We all make investments in our professional selves. But for some, it costs a lot more than a tailored suit and an MBA degree to be taken seriously. People in marginalized groups often invest significant time and attention into code-switching — that is, changing themselves to meet the corporate ideal. Is it worth it? Carolyn and Lindsay talk with Courtney McCluney, Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior at Cornell University, about the hidden costs of code-switching — both for the leaders who do it and for the organizations that make it the norm. Continue the conversation on LinkedIn and, if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com.  This episode is presented by Fidelity.
Every executive has been coached on their public speaking at one point or another in their leadership journey. But has all the advice about removing vocal fry and avoiding hedged phrases actually made you sound less authoritative but more like a straight white man? Carolyn and Lindsay talk to Samara Bay, vocal coach and author of "Permission to Speak", about the new rules of public speaking and how women and people of color can use their natural voice to command the room.  Continue the conversation on LinkedIn and, if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com.  This episode is presented by Fidelity.
Leaders know to never waste a good crisis. But the true art is figuring out the how. Carolyn and Lindsay talk to Ken Chenault, Chairman and Managing Director of General Catalyst, about how he built his reputation on shepherding American Express through some of the biggest crises of our time — and left a lasting legacy with 17 years as CEO. Continue the conversation on LinkedIn and, if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com.  This episode is presented by Fidelity.
For years, cryptocurrency has been a hot topic among investors, coworkers, celebrities, and even down-the-street neighbors. But, given recent market volatility, is digital currency still a viable option? And should people of color, who’ve viewed crypto as an entry into wealth-building, continue to trust it as an investment vehicle? Lindsay talks to blockchain engineer and data scientist Tavonia Evans about the accessibility of crypto and if it still offers a path to closing the wealth gap. Continue the conversation on LinkedIn and, if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com.
So much of America’s social safety net has been built on top of women’s unpaid labor. And while we know traditional gender roles still persist, how much have they contributed to the gender gap at work? Is it possible that to achieve true gender equity in the workplace, women must first achieve it in the home? Eve Rodsky, author and producer of the documentary “Fair Play” explores this question as she unpacks the true cost — and impact — of women bearing the household mental load.  Continue the conversation on LinkedIn and, if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com.  Note: This episode contains explicit language.
The pandemic has disrupted how we live and work — and the lines in between have never been blurrier. Is the role of the executive changing as calls for corporate activism continue to swell? Carolyn and Lindsay talk with Alan Murray, CEO of Fortune Media and author of "Tomorrow’s Capitalist: My Search for the Soul of Business", about how we got here and what leaders can do now to wade into socio-political issues — without drowning.  Continue the conversation on LinkedIn and, if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com.
Only one out of every 1.6 million startups is estimated to achieve unicorn status. Laela Sturdy, General Partner at CapitalG and lead investor of Chief’s Series B, talks to Carolyn and Lindsay about the defining characteristics of billion-dollar companies and what entrepreneurs and business leaders alike should consider when scaling for growth.Continue the conversation on LinkedIn and if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com.
Can niceness be the veneer that hides a toxic work culture? Are women-led businesses the most at risk? In this episode, Carolyn and Lindsay talk with Sheila Heen and Debbie Goldstein from Triad Consulting on stripping away the niceties.  Continue the conversation on LinkedIn and if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com.
Season two of The New Rules of Business is coming soon! Chief Co-Founders Carolyn Childers and Lindsay Kaplan are back to dig into today’s most complicated leadership issues. They cover topics like where to spot the newest form of toxicity in the workplace, why executives should wade into uncharted socio-political waters, and how to manage through crisis (after crisis). On the podcast, they’ll be in discussion with the best business minds and academics including Cornell Professor Courtney McCluney, Ken Chenault, author Eve Rodsky, Joanna Coles, and more.  Learn the new rules of business with Chief. Season 2 coming soon.
The business world is abuzz with the promise – and potential dangers – of the metaverse. The space seems to have a high barrier for entry, requiring a confident working knowledge of the blockchain, crypto, and NFTs to even begin to dive in. But as a business leader, you can’t ignore this rapidly-growing space, nor the potential to be a savvy early adopter. Lindsay and Carolyn speak with Janine Yorio, CEO of virtual real estate firm Republic Realm, to get a handle on what the metaverse is and why the conversation around the metaverse is unnecessarily confusing. Then, they interview Cathy Hackl, host of the Metaverse Marketing podcast and “Godmother of the Metaverse,” about balancing the ideal of decentralization with making sure the next frontier is welcoming for everybody. Find us on LinkedIn and if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com. Find Janine’s work at https://republicrealm.com/. Listen to Cathy’s podcast Metaverse Marketing wherever you like to listen.
It feels like every time we talk about multiage working relationships, the same tired themes arise: who’s better at technology, who prefers in-person work to remote, who’s biased. But that can’t be the whole picture; interage collaboration — and the two-way mentorship that comes with it — can create a thriving collaboration. Lindsay and Carolyn chat with ageism researcher and speaker Ashton Applewhite, author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism to get to the bottom of what people get wrong about matters of age. And then they’re joined by a pair of leaders whose intergenerational collaboration has been great for business: designer Diane von Furstenburg and DVF President and Chief Executive Gabby Hirata.   Find us on LinkedIn and if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com. Find Ashton’s work at https://thischairrocks.com.  Find Gabby on LinkedIn, and Diane’s work at https://www.dvf.com.
Humor can bring people together. But in the wrong context, it can be disastrous. So how can leaders make sure they’re using it to their advantage? Enter Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas, Stanford Business School professors and co-authors of Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life (And how anyone can harness it. Even you.) Jennifer and Naomi join Carolyn and Lindsay to break down the distinctions between levity, humor, and comedy, and the secrets to make humor the sharpest tool in your belt. Find us on LinkedIn and if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com. Listen to Jennifer and Naomi’s TED Talk about the power of humor and take their humor styles quiz at humorseriously.com.
The last year has hastened the rise of the most crucial changes to the way we work: hybrid workplaces and large-scale commitments to DEI. But do DEI efforts fall short when colleagues can’t see each other in person? First, Carolyn talks with author, speaker, and DEI consultant Minda Harts for a look at what she sees as the most important learnings from lockdown — and the importance of making sure racialized employees aren’t being left behind as we return to work. Then, Frances Frei & Anne Morriss are back to highlight for Lindsay and Carolyn the places where they believe remote offices can be a boon for DEI work. Find us on LinkedIn and if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com. Minda’s books, The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Do to Secure a Seat at the Table and Right Within: How to Heal from Racial Trauma in the Workplace, are available wherever books are sold.  You can find Frances & Anne on LinkedIn and Twitter, theleadersguide.com, and every Tuesday and Friday on Clubhouse.
Everyone wants to be liked. But for leaders, does pursuing likability put your authority into question? Or worse, can it sand down the edges of everything that makes you a dynamic leader? MSNBC host and author of The Likability Trap Alicia Menendez joins Lindsay and Carolyn to unpack the many-edged sword of likability, why (shocking!) it’s even more fraught for women and non-white people, and what we can do to push back against our culture’s bias. Learn more about Chief, and apply to be a member, at Chief.com. You can also follow Chief on Linkedin for more reports about the changing face of leadership.  You can find Alicia on Instagram @aliciamenendezxo and subscribe to her podcast, Latina to Latina.
Ben & Jerry’s is almost synonymous with corporations standing for social causes. So Lindsay and Carolyn chat with founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield to find out how they baked their social mission into their ice cream brand. Plus, they share their best advice for co-founders navigating a long-term working relationship. Learn more about Chief, and apply to be a member, at Chief.com. You can also follow Chief on Linkedin for more reports about the changing face of leadership.
The traditional makeup of corporate boards is under fire, and diversity mandates are coming from all sides — from Goldman Sachs to the state of California. But are these mandates enough, or is it time to change the way we think about board appointments from the ground up? Carolyn and Lindsay are joined by economist Dambisa Moyo, author of How Boards Work, who sheds light on what she thinks is the ideal board makeup for today’s ever-changing global economy. Later in the episode, Asahi Pompey, Global Head of Corporate Engagement and President of the Goldman Sachs Foundation, gives Carolyn and Lindsay insight on Goldman’s groundbreaking board diversity mandate — and how easy it should be for companies to meet that bar. Learn more about Chief, and apply to be a member,  at Chief.com. You can also follow Chief on LinkedIn for more reports about the changing face of leadership.  Follow Dambisa on all social media platforms and at dambisamoyo.com. You can follow Asahi on LinkedIn.
The ruling sentiment is to “be your authentic self” at work — but is it that simple? As a leader, how much of yourself should you bring? Can pursuing authenticity actually be a trap for women and those of marginalized identities? Lindsay and Carolyn talk with researchers Frances Frei (Professor of Harvard Business School) and Anne Morriss, co-authors of Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader's Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You, to share how executives can create a culture of acceptance from the top. Plus, legendary business badass Cindy Gallop joins for an unfiltered conversation on what authentic leadership really looks like. Find us on LinkedIn and if you’re interested in joining the Chief network, apply to be a member at Chief.com.  You can find Frances & Anne on LinkedIn and Twitter, theleadersguide.com, and every Tuesday and Friday on Clubhouse.  Find Cindy on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
How do you lead when “business as usual” has gone out the window? Enter The New Rules of Business, by Chief. Chief Co-Founders Carolyn Childers and Lindsay Kaplan tackle the nuanced questions facing executives today — alongside world-renowned business leaders and academics like Diane von Furstenberg, Cindy Gallop, Ben and Jerry, and Frances Frei.