Bill George joins Christopher Wong Michaelson for a candid conversation on leadership, purpose, and courage in uncertain times. Drawing on his journey from early career setbacks to leading Medtronic, George reflects on the importance of authentic relationships, values-driven decision-making, and aligning personal purpose with organizational mission. The discussion explores what it means to lead with “true north” amid polarization and crisis, the ethical responsibilities of business leaders to employees and communities, and the growing need for moral courage in navigating complexity and change. Grounded in real-world examples, this episode challenges leaders to move beyond profit as a primary goal and instead focus on impact, integrity, and the long-term good. <ul><li>Sponsored by <a href='https://business.stthomas.edu/centers-institutes/principled-leadership/'>The Melrose &amp; The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership</a>.<ul><li>Produced by Britt Cruz</li><li>Engineered by Tom Forliti</li></ul></li></ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Bill George joins Christopher Wong Michaelson for a candid conversation on leadership, purpose, and courage in uncertain times. Drawing on his journey from early career setbacks to leading Medtronic, George reflects on the importance of authentic relationships, values-driven decision-making, and aligning personal purpose with organizational mission. The discussion explores what it means to lead with “true north” amid polarization and crisis, the ethical responsibilities of business leaders to employees and communities, and the growing need for moral courage in navigating complexity and change. Grounded in real-world examples, this episode challenges leaders to move beyond profit as a primary goal and instead focus on impact, integrity, and the long-term good. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Sponsored by &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href='https://business.stthomas.edu/centers-institutes/principled-leadership/'&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Melrose &amp;amp; The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Produced by Britt Cruz&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Engineered by Tom Forliti&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Bill George joins Christopher Wong Michaelson for a candid conversation on leadership, purpose, and courage in uncertain times. Drawing on his journey from early career setbacks to leading Medtronic, George reflects on the importance of authentic relationships, values-driven decision-making, and aligning personal purpose with organizational mission. The discussion explores what it means to lead with “true north” amid polarization and crisis, the ethical responsibilities of business leaders to...

Leading in Chaos: Bill George on Courage, Values, and Real-World Leadership

One way in which the University of St. Thomas is  trying to realize its mission to &quot;educate students...to work skillfully...to advance the common good&quot; is with a new course  called Work and the Good Life. Most of our students come here expecting that their college degrees will help them find jobs out of college. But as UST President Rob Vischer says, one reason that we have stellar employment outcomes is that we care about more than employment outcomes. We’re helping to form whole human beings, not just working people. And most of those people don’t just want paid employment; a Gallup study a few years ago found that most of them want a purpose but relatively few would find it early in their careers. So this course is designed to enable  students to think critically about their career choices so they can act wisely on the way to work that serves a worthwhile purpose in their lives and those of others.In the third of a three-part speaker series, students heard from United States Navy Veteran Galon Miller about his work with returning veterans in their quest for work and the good life. <ul><li>Sponsored by <a href='https://business.stthomas.edu/centers-institutes/principled-leadership/'>The Melrose &amp; The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership</a>.<ul><li>Produced by Britt Cruz</li><li>Engineered by Tom Forliti</li></ul></li></ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;One way in which the University of St. Thomas is  trying to realize its mission to &amp;quot;educate students...to work skillfully...to advance the common good&amp;quot; is with a new course  called Work and the Good Life. Most of our students come here expecting that their college degrees will help them find jobs out of college. But as UST President Rob Vischer says, one reason that we have stellar employment outcomes is that we care about more than employment outcomes. We’re helping to form whole human beings, not just working people. And most of those people don’t just want paid employment; a Gallup study a few years ago found that most of them want a purpose but relatively few would find it early in their careers. So this course is designed to enable  students to think critically about their career choices so they can act wisely on the way to work that serves a worthwhile purpose in their lives and those of others.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In the third of a three-part speaker series, students heard from United States Navy Veteran Galon Miller about his work with returning veterans in their quest for work and the good life.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Sponsored by &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href='https://business.stthomas.edu/centers-institutes/principled-leadership/'&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Melrose &amp;amp; The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Produced by Britt Cruz&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Engineered by Tom Forliti&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

One way in which the University of St. Thomas is  trying to realize its mission to "educate students...to work skillfully...to advance the common good" is with a new course  called Work and the Good Life. Most of our students come here expecting that their college degrees will help them find jobs out of college. But as UST President Rob Vischer says, one reason that we have stellar employment outcomes is that we care about more than employment outcomes. We’re helping to form whole h...

"Work and the Good Life" Series: Working for the Common Good with Galon Miller

One way in which the University of St. Thomas is  trying to realize its mission to &quot;educate students...to work skillfully...to advance the common good&quot; is with a new course  called Work and the Good Life. Most of our students come here expecting that their college degrees will help them find jobs out of college. But as UST President Rob Vischer says, one reason that we have stellar employment outcomes is that we care about more than employment outcomes. We’re helping to form whole human beings, not just working people. And most of those people don’t just want paid employment; a Gallup study a few years ago found that most of them want a purpose but relatively few would find it early in their careers. So this course is designed to enable  students to think critically about their career choices so they can act wisely on the way to work that serves a worthwhile purpose in their lives and those of others.In the second of a three-part speaker series, students heard from Second Harvest Heartland Chief Development Officer Erica Campbell about her quest for work and the good life.<ul><li>Sponsored by <a href='https://business.stthomas.edu/centers-institutes/principled-leadership/'>The Melrose &amp; The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership</a>.<ul><li>Produced by Britt Cruz</li><li>Engineered by Tom Forliti</li></ul></li></ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;One way in which the University of St. Thomas is  trying to realize its mission to &amp;quot;educate students...to work skillfully...to advance the common good&amp;quot; is with a new course  called Work and the Good Life. Most of our students come here expecting that their college degrees will help them find jobs out of college. But as UST President Rob Vischer says, one reason that we have stellar employment outcomes is that we care about more than employment outcomes. We’re helping to form whole human beings, not just working people. And most of those people don’t just want paid employment; a Gallup study a few years ago found that most of them want a purpose but relatively few would find it early in their careers. So this course is designed to enable  students to think critically about their career choices so they can act wisely on the way to work that serves a worthwhile purpose in their lives and those of others.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In the second of a three-part speaker series, students heard from Second Harvest Heartland Chief Development Officer Erica Campbell about her quest for work and the good life.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Sponsored by &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href='https://business.stthomas.edu/centers-institutes/principled-leadership/'&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Melrose &amp;amp; The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Produced by Britt Cruz&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Engineered by Tom Forliti&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

"Work and the Good Life" Series: Working for the Common Good with Erica Campbell

One way in which the University of St. Thomas is  trying to realize its mission to &quot;educate students...to work skillfully...to advance the common good&quot; is with a new course  called Work and the Good Life. Most of our students come here expecting that their college degrees will help them find jobs out of college. But as UST President Rob Vischer says, one reason that we have stellar employment outcomes is that we care about more than employment outcomes. We’re helping to form whole human beings, not just working people. And most of those people don’t just want paid employment; a Gallup study a few years ago found that 80+% of them want a purpose, but only around half of them would find it early in their careers. So this course is designed to enable  students to think critically about their career choices so they can act wisely on the way to work that serves a worthwhile purpose in their lives and those of others.In the first of a three-part speaker series, students heard from UST alum Quentin Moore about his quest for work and the good life. <ul><li>Sponsored by <a href='https://business.stthomas.edu/centers-institutes/principled-leadership/'>The Melrose &amp; The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership</a>.<ul><li>Produced by Britt Cruz</li><li>Engineered by Tom Forliti</li></ul></li></ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;One way in which the University of St. Thomas is  trying to realize its mission to &amp;quot;educate students...to work skillfully...to advance the common good&amp;quot; is with a new course  called Work and the Good Life. Most of our students come here expecting that their college degrees will help them find jobs out of college. But as UST President Rob Vischer says, one reason that we have stellar employment outcomes is that we care about more than employment outcomes. We’re helping to form whole human beings, not just working people. And most of those people don’t just want paid employment; a Gallup study a few years ago found that 80+% of them want a purpose, but only around half of them would find it early in their careers. So this course is designed to enable  students to think critically about their career choices so they can act wisely on the way to work that serves a worthwhile purpose in their lives and those of others.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In the first of a three-part speaker series, students heard from UST alum Quentin Moore about his quest for work and the good life.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Sponsored by &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href='https://business.stthomas.edu/centers-institutes/principled-leadership/'&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Melrose &amp;amp; The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Produced by Britt Cruz&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Engineered by Tom Forliti&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

"Work and the Good Life" Series: Working for the Common Good with Quentin Moore

Is their one truth or is the truth relative? Are some moral values better than others? Are some cultural artifacts worth teaching and preserving more than others? Guided by perspectives in history, theology, and ethics from St. Thomas faculty (listed below) this conversation aims to foster understanding across differing values and religious beliefs as well as explore how shared values and a deeper understanding of moral differences can lead to a more inclusive higher education culture and stronger societal connections.<ul><li>Dr. Shaherzad Ahmadi, Associate Professor of History</li><li>Dr. Laurel Potter, Assistant Professor of Theology</li><li>Dr. Christopher Wong Michaelson, Barbara and David A. Koch (“coach”) Endowed Chair in Business Ethics &amp; Academic Director of the Melrose &amp; The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership</li></ul>Co-sponsored by the <a href='https://cas.stthomas.edu/centers-institutes/center-for-interreligious-studies/'>Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies</a> of the University of St. Thomas as part of their 2025 Culture of Encounter Ideas Festival.<ul><li>Sponsored by <a href='https://business.stthomas.edu/centers-institutes/principled-leadership/'>The Melrose &amp; The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership</a>.<ul><li>Produced by Britt Cruz</li><li>Engineered by Tom Forliti</li></ul></li></ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Is their one truth or is the truth relative? Are some moral values better than others? Are some cultural artifacts worth teaching and preserving more than others? &lt;/em&gt;Guided by perspectives in history, theology, and ethics from St. Thomas faculty (listed below) this conversation aims to foster understanding across differing values and religious beliefs as well as explore how shared values and a deeper understanding of moral differences can lead to a more inclusive higher education culture and stronger societal connections.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Dr. Shaherzad Ahmadi, Associate Professor of History&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Dr. Laurel Potter, Assistant Professor of Theology&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Dr. Christopher Wong Michaelson, Barbara and David A. Koch (“coach”) Endowed Chair in Business Ethics &amp;amp; Academic Director of the Melrose &amp;amp; The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Co-sponsored&lt;/em&gt; by the &lt;a href='https://cas.stthomas.edu/centers-institutes/center-for-interreligious-studies/'&gt;Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies&lt;/a&gt; of the University of St. Thomas as part of their 2025 Culture of Encounter Ideas Festival.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Sponsored by &lt;/em&gt;&lt;a href='https://business.stthomas.edu/centers-institutes/principled-leadership/'&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Melrose &amp;amp; The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Produced by Britt Cruz&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Engineered by Tom Forliti&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Is their one truth or is the truth relative? Are some moral values better than others? Are some cultural artifacts worth teaching and preserving more than others? Guided by perspectives in history, theology, and ethics from St. Thomas faculty (listed below) this conversation aims to foster understanding across differing values and religious beliefs as well as explore how shared values and a deeper understanding of moral differences can lead to a more inclusive higher education culture and str...

Moral Realism and Relativism in Higher Education: A discussion encircling a culture of encounter.  

Work in Progress with Christopher Wong Michaelson discusses every working person's work in progress, namely, our quest to be fully human in a working world that all too often makes us feel like machines, in which we often don't even have time to think and that, in the words of Studs Terkel, too often feels like "a Monday through Friday sort of dying."

Work in Progress with Christopher Wong Michaelson

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