The Courage to Lead: Saying Yes to Hard Things | Rajeev Kapur | 623

Leveraging Thought Leadership

What does it take to chase greatness in a world of rapid change? Rajeev Kapur, CEO of 1105 Media and bestselling author, shares his journey of saying "yes" to hard things—from navigating international markets in the early days of Gateway and Dell to leading businesses during a global pandemic. His stories reveal the resilience and courage required to build opportunities where none seem to exist. Rajeev opens up about how bold decisions and a mindset of growth led him to write his first book, Chase Greatness: Enlightened Leadership for the Next Generation of Disruption, during the challenges of COVID-19. He outlines his "GREAT" framework—Gratitude, Resilience, Empathy, Accountability, and Transparency—essential traits for leaders facing demographic shifts, technological disruptions, and cultural divides. This episode also explores Rajeev’s second book, AI Made Simple: A Beginner’s Guide to Generative Intelligence, written for those intimidated by technology. He explains how generative AI can empower individuals and why understanding its potential and risks is crucial in today’s world. From harnessing AI for business to embracing deep fakes as a societal challenge, Rajeev makes the case for thoughtful leadership in an era of disruption. Whether you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or aspiring thought leader, Rajeev’s insights will inspire you to step up, stay curious, and embrace the hard path to success. Three Key Takeaways: • Saying Yes to Hard Challenges: Taking on difficult tasks and stepping out of your comfort zone can fast-track career growth and open unexpected opportunities. • The "GREAT" Leadership Framework: Gratitude, Resilience, Empathy, Accountability, and Transparency are essential traits for navigating disruption and leading effectively in today’s fast-changing world. • AI is for Everyone: Understanding and embracing AI’s potential—even for non-technical individuals—can drive innovation and create new opportunities, but leaders must also be mindful of its risks, like deep fakes and ethical concerns. Rajeev has a GREAT framework and you can too! Thought Leadership consists of four components that must work together. You can learn more about them here.