Making Waves at C-Level: Business Tips for Executives, Leaders, and Entrepreneurs

In this episode of "Making Waves at C-Level," Thom Singer again takes his latest blog post and turns it over to AI to create an episode. These episodes are getting more attention than his self-talk episodes. The content is all Thom Singer's belief about Human Interaction. In this article, Thom Singer argues that human interaction is a vital strategic asset rather than a secondary soft skill in an increasingly automated economy. While artificial intelligence excels at data processing and efficiency, it cannot replicate the trust, empathy, and authenticity required to sustain long-term business relationships. Singer suggests that as digital noise increases, the ability to foster genuine connections becomes a primary competitive advantage for leaders and organizations. He warns that over-reliance on technology has created a human deficit, making interpersonal proficiency more valuable for innovation and client loyalty. Ultimately, the text asserts that professional success in the future will belong to those who balance technological tools with the irreplaceable power of human presence. Thom Singer is a professional keynote speaker who talks about why connections are a strategy for greater success. This topic is becoming a leading topic for 2026 and 2027 conferences.... and Thom Singer has been speaking about this since 2005 when his first book was released. Is it ironic that someone who talks about human interaction would use AI to create this episode of the podcast? He is not looking to go back to the typewriter. Singer embraces tech and thinks we all should be playing with the tools. But AI tools are NOT a human connection. The winners in this will be the ones who use both.... heavy use of tech for efficiency, and the ability to connect to others and build trust and relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are you known for in your community. You do not decide... others decide. This episode is AI generated from an article Thom posted on LinkedIn about reputation and brand. It is amazing the info from his life and work that is added to this. While the jury is still out about generating a podcast from a written article... Thom is exploring this medium. What do you think? While humans still rule, we cannot and should not ignore the new tools. Thom Singer explains that a genuine reputation is not something an individual can manufacture through self-promotion or social media; rather, it is a social status granted by others based on consistent behavior. While many attempt to prioritize visibility and ego, true community legitimacy is earned through long-term contributions and a sincere commitment to others. The text warns that people easily detect superficial branding and selfishness, which can permanently damage one’s standing. Instead, lasting trust is built by showing up consistently, advocating for meaningful causes, and matching actions to words. Ultimately, the author suggests that personal substance and a focus on serving the greater good are the only ways to develop a meaningful legacy. This perspective shifts the focus from seeking fame to fostering reliable relationships within one's professional and local circles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thom Singer, CSP, has been speaking about the importance of connections and relationships for two decades. And the topic is starting to explode. This is becoming one of the leading subjects meeting planners are seeking out in 2026 and 2027. Many famous speakers/thought leaders are starting to talk about the importance of Human Interaction (H.I.) in an AI-Driven world.... and more are joining the discussion. But Singer wrote his first book on this in 2005. In March 2026 he wrote a long blog piece called the Human Interaction Manifesto. This podcast is a review of this piece as created by an AI tool.. Is it irony that an article about human relationship, trust, reputation, etc... is being turned into a podcast episode created by AI voices? NO. Singer is very pro AI and believes in using tech tools. But the message is the key here. It is about how we invest in people. The message of "Choose People" has been part of his keynote since 2009. This episode of "Making Waves at C-Level" is just an experiment .... using the AI tools to review an important piece he wrote and to see if it captures the idea. Singer found it fascinating. But see for yourself. Read the whole manifesto on his blog and then listen to the podcast https://thomsinger.com/blog/human-interaction-h-i-manifesto/ ***** Thom Singer, CSP, is a keynote speaker who has been working with meeting planners for associations, companies, and law firms for over 20 years. His message is about how the people side of business is the secret weapon for developing a sustainable career. "All Opportunities Come From People" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corporate Citizenship, Real Leaders Show Up It’s been a while since I released an episode of Making Waves at C-Level, and I’m working to bring it back consistently. The more time I spend talking with CEOs and senior leaders, the more I’m convinced we have a growing problem in corporate America: the decline of real corporate citizenship. For most of the last century, companies understood that if you operated in a city, you had a responsibility to help make that place stronger. Not just through donations, but through leadership and presence. Serving on boards. Supporting civic institutions. Investing time and talent in the community where your employees live, where your customers come from, and where your company benefits from infrastructure, education, and opportunity. Over the past 25 years, that expectation has faded. We celebrate the “Lone Ranger” entrepreneur and the celebrity CEO, as if success is a solo act. That story is convenient, and it’s also wrong. Nobody builds anything meaningful alone. Every company’s success is built on people, teams, mentors, customers, partners, and a community that helped create the conditions for growth. And yet today, too many leaders approach civic engagement with one question: “What’s in it for me?” If it doesn’t create immediate return, they opt out. That mindset is understandable in a world obsessed with quarterly results, but it’s also how communities weaken over time. This matters more now because the pace of change is speeding up. AI is already reshaping work, and more disruption is coming across industries. When societies face upheaval, the answer is not more isolation and self-protection. The answer is stronger community, built through sustained involvement, real collaboration, and leaders who are willing to show up. In this episode I lay out practical ways for companies and senior leaders to rebuild corporate citizenship: Celebrate civic time, not just civic money. Put the best leaders into service roles in community institutions, boards, and committees. Invest in the talent pipeline, internships, partnerships with schools, and workforce development. Support the “unsexy” stability issues: housing, transportation, education, digital inclusion. Choose collaboration across business and civic organizations instead of turf wars. My closing challenge is simple: if you lead a company, pick two civic commitments you can make in the next 90 days, and encourage your senior team to pick at least one. If you believe you’re a great leader but you’re giving nothing back to the community you operate in, you may not be as great as you think you are. Have ideas for future topics, or want to react to this one? Email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation on Making Waves at C Level, I sit down with Eliz Greene, a renowned stress researcher, author, and sailor who learned hard lessons about uncertainty after surviving a rare heart attack while seven months pregnant with twins. Eliz reframes stress as a natural reaction to our environment, not a moral failing, and shows leaders how to bring heart rates down, clear cortisol, and think clearly when the waters get rough. We explore her Border Collie and Iguana recovery styles, a memorable way to help teams honor that people refuel differently. Some need activity and structure. Others need quiet and space. Great leadership makes room for both. Eliz connects those ideas to sailing on Lake Michigan, where preparation and practice turn unpredictability into something the brain can recognize. Life jackets go on before you need them. In business that means systems, communication, checklists, and visible markers of progress so people feel secure during change. One story that will stick with you is our discussion of Capacity Optimism. Many of us believe we have more capacity than we do. Eliz discovered her fuel tank held 30 gallons when the label promised 36, and that twenty percent gap mirrors how leaders and caregivers overestimate time, energy, and staffing. Capacity Optimism shows up when we take on a full workload while raising kids, supporting aging parents, and managing a team. The fix is not superhuman effort. The fix is reducing load where possible, and routinely refueling with sleep, movement, real breaks, and friendships that allow you to say the hard things out loud. We also talk about building your bench. Eliz and I share how our long running mastermind functions like a Bat Signal. When someone calls, we answer. Leaders who model that kind of connection build resilient cultures. Practical tactics include noticing your personal stress indicators, using intentional breathing, scheduling recovery time, and, most importantly, communicating early and often so uncertainty does not hijack performance. If you lead people in a high change environment, or if you are a high performer who quietly carries too much, this episode delivers language, tools, and stories you can use today. Learn more about Eliz Greene at https://elizgreene.com Learn more about Thom Singer at https://thomsinger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices