"Good morning. I spent yesterday hearing from dozens of business leaders onstage and off at the New York Times DealBook Summit, deftly moderated by Andrew Ross Sorkin. I was invited to moderate a thought-provoking breakfast conversation on the topic of mission as a driver of growth, with Vanguard President and Chief Investment Officer Greg Davis, Nike Chief Communications Officer Michael Gonda and author Simon Sinek. The takeaway for me: If leaders don't internalize and institutionalize a company's mission, it's just rhetoric."
"Acceptance of a new normal. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dismissed his earlier concerns about President Trump's "maximalist" approach to trade wars, saying his thinking on tariffs "had evolved." Watching Bessent talk about inflation in blue states evoked memories of former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson praising the idea of a meet-and-greet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un while serving as Secretary of State in the first Trump Administration."
Business leaders emphasized that a company's mission must be internalized and institutionalized or it becomes mere rhetoric. Many executives displayed acceptance of a new normal around federal policy, trade, and tariffs, with some noting evolved or muted criticisms of shifting policies. Several leaders framed market disruption as opportunity, using optimistic language even amid sector stress. Concerns about trust surfaced, with expectations of data showing a widening mass-class divide. Personal security and executive vulnerability were highlighted, underscoring the importance of credible leadership, institutional trust, and consistent action to sustain growth and reputation.
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