Leadership is Learning with Liz Gebhard

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A former Amazon exec talks vulnerability, learning, and risk-taking.

"We are all icebergs and only 10% of what makes us diverse as individuals is visible above the surface."

Liz Gebhard has led multi-billion, multifunction businesses in the US, EU, and worldwide. In her last role, she was head of global strategy and operations for inclusive experiences and technology at Amazon.

In this conversation with host Charlotte Otter, Liz talks about her passion for creating inclusive cultures, advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels, and empowering organisations to achieve sustainable growth through technology and customer experience.

Liz describes how the twin vectors of having five generations in the workforce, and the acceleration and impact of AI, is increasing pressure on leaders.

She says that leaders are making short-term decisions with long-term consequences while feeling insufficiently informed - and that the diversity of leadership makeup often doesn't reflect the people most affected by these decisions (employees and customers).

This is an episode that takes on big ideas and global challenges - and what these mean for leaders - with an executive who's experienced it all at one of the world's largest companies.
Chapters
  • 00:03 Introduction to Speech Bubbles and Liz Gebhard
  • 02:39 Career risks and trusting yourself
  • 05:12 Current challenges in the workplace
  • 09:19 Leadership challenges in times of change
  • 12:21 The critical role of middle managers
  • 15:10 Liz's leadership journey
  • 22:55 Self-learning and vulnerability in leadership
  • 28:20 Diversity and inclusion in leadership
  • 35:07 Empathy as an effective leadership skill
  • 39:18 Changing leadership archetypes
  • 44:07 Book recommendations and advice for emerging leaders
  • 48:08 Finding joy
20 Aug 2025 English Germany Management · Business

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