Dr. Gleb Tsipursky – The Office Whisperer
Nirit Cohen – WorkFutures
Angela Howard – Culture Expert
Drew Jones – Design & Innovation
Jonathan Price – CRE & Flex Expert
- Genuine curiosity and openness create trust, even when mistakes happen in communication.
- Leaders shape the stories others tell about them through daily actions and decisions.
- Privilege should be used to empower others and create inclusive, supportive workplaces.
Stephanie Chung has spent her career building billion-dollar sales teams and transforming global brands, but her most enduring legacy may be her commitment to reshaping leadership itself. In a conversation that spans influence, vulnerability, privilege, and accountability, Chung offers a blueprint for how today’s leaders can create cultures that are both inclusive and high-performing.
Her conversation held with The Future of Work Podcast unpacks the traits that define lasting leadership — curiosity, courage, and clarity of intent. Chung, an influential corporate leader and author, doesn’t just speak from theory; her insights come from decades of guiding people and organizations through meaningful change.
For leaders navigating the future of work, her message is clear: the way you lead today becomes part of someone else’s story tomorrow.
Her perspective challenges conventional thinking — and it just might change how you show up at work.
The Power of Genuine Engagement
One of the most important takeaways from Chung’s reflections is the idea that genuine curiosity and a willingness to learn can bridge any gap in communication.
She explains that when we approach others with an open heart, asking questions because we truly want to understand, it can make all the difference.
She puts it best when she says, “If we realize that you’re coming truly with an attitude of, I don’t know, but I want to get to know, we can sense your heart there.”
This openness to learning creates an environment where mistakes are seen as part of the process rather than barriers to connection. Chung believes people are more willing to engage in meaningful conversations when they know their intentions are pure, even if they may not always get it right.
Leaders Have a Role in Shaping Stories
Chung also emphasizes the influence leaders have over the stories their teams will tell about them in the future, saying that leaders have the ability to dictate how they tell their story about your leadership, but “every day as leaders, you are part of someone’s story.”
The way a leader interacts with their team shapes not only the present dynamics but the legacy they leave behind. It’s a powerful reminder of the responsibility that comes with leadership and the impact it has on those being led.
Leadership should be focused on how individuals in positions of power influence the lives and careers of others. Leaders must be mindful of their decisions and actions because they shape the perceptions and experiences of their teams long after those decisions are made.
Turning Privilege into Action
For Chung, privilege is something everyone has, but how we use it matters. She argues that acknowledging one’s privilege is an important step toward using it for the greater good.
For instance, she recalls how her background gave her access to media training — a privilege that wasn’t available to all of her team members. She knew that to truly help her team succeed, she needed to pass on that privilege.
Her words on this matter are simple but profound: “How do you use your power and your privilege to make sure that you’re able to help other people?”
It’s a call to action for leaders to recognize how their position can create opportunities for others to thrive. This approach ensures you’re actively using that privilege to create a more inclusive, supportive, and growth-driven environment for everyone involved.
Creating Safe Spaces for Growth
Ultimately, Chung envisions a future where people feel safe at work, regardless of their background. Leaders must create environments where employees can bring their full selves to the table, including their questions, feedback, and challenges.
She shared her thoughts on the importance of creating a workplace where individuals feel secure enough to voice their opinions.
“Do they feel safe enough that they can voice their opinion,” she asked. “That they can provide feedback. They can even challenge and ask questions like, ‘Why are we doing this?’”
This safety allows employees to thrive, knowing they can contribute to the organization’s success in ways that align with their unique strengths.
Chung’s vision for leadership is clear: secure leaders are the ones who will guide their teams to success by encouraging and building an environment where everyone feels valued. Leaders must ask the right questions and remain open to the answers, even when they challenge the status quo.
Only then can true growth occur, not just for individuals but for the entire organization.
The Secret to Winning
Chung closes her thoughts with an empowering idea: “The secret to winning is winning.”
This may sound simple, but there’s a profound truth behind it. When people feel supported, recognized, and part of a winning team, their success compounds.
Winning needs to be based on understanding what makes people succeed and being willing to act on it. By creating an environment where leaders and team members alike can thrive, a team becomes unstoppable.
Leaders who understand this will leave a lasting, positive impact on their teams and on their industries.
