Optimistic Outlook
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On the Optimistic Outlook, Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA, engages listeners in the technological transformation occurring across American industry and infrastructure. Episodes not only examine challenges related to climate, workforce and digital transformation but offer solutions and a path forward by deploying readily available technologies. Barbara’s visionary perspective is designed to spark bold thinking among listeners, urging them to innovate toward a sustainable and eco-friendly future. Each episode delves into the intersection of technology, leadership, and workplace dynamics, offering practical insights and inspiring stories from industry experts. From renewable energy to digital manufacturing, Barbara explores the transformative potential of sustainable solutions, urging listeners to rethink traditional approaches and embrace innovative strategies. With a keen eye toward mentorship and collaboration, Barbara empowers individuals to drive positive change within their organizations and communities. Listeners can expect thought-provoking discussions on topics such as the role of digitalization in reshaping industrial manufacturing, the impact of sustainable transportation on urban development, and the importance of fostering a culture of innovation in the workplace. Through real-world examples and actionable insights, Barbara demonstrates how businesses can leverage technology and leadership to address pressing environmental challenges while driving economic growth and prosperity. The Optimistic Outlook is more than just a podcast—it’s a platform for meaningful dialogue and inspiration. Listeners are encouraged to join the conversation and contribute their ideas for building a more sustainable and resilient future. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring leader, this podcast offers invaluable insights and practical advice for navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing world. Join Barbara Humpton and her guests as they explore the possibilities of tomorrow and uncover the key drivers of success in an era defined by innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Together, let’s imagine a future where optimism reigns supreme and bold ideas pave the way toward a brighter, more sustainable world for all.
Episodes
Episodes
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Thursday Jun 22, 2023
The real purpose of industrial automation
Thursday Jun 22, 2023
Thursday Jun 22, 2023
Barbara shares her keynote speech from May’s Automate conference in Detroit.
Show notes:
Siemens and FREYR: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/freyr-scale-battery-cell-gigafactory-production-siemens-xcelerator
Advanced Manufacturing: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/topic-areas/advanced-manufacturing.html
Optimizing Battery Production: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/topic-areas/advanced-manufacturing/large-battery-manufacturing.html
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Monday Apr 24, 2023
How to optimize for change
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Barbara reflects on how her ideas about leadership changed during the pandemic by sharing an audio version of her recent leadership essay, The Greatest Gift We Can Give Our Organizations.
Show Notes:
Comment on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/greatest-gift-we-can-give-our-organizations-barbara-humpton/
Art of Leading Interview: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/key-role-leaders-help-people-understand-what-good-looks-adam-bryant/?trackingId=gXb6mof6ZeWLcKVC6p4P1w%3D%3D
Barbara’s 2021 leadership essay: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/i-fell-ill-covid-19-shutdowns-began-heres-what-taught-barbara-humpton/
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Thursday Mar 16, 2023
Cracking the code: How to transform industry and infrastructure
Thursday Mar 16, 2023
Thursday Mar 16, 2023
Siemens CEO Roland Busch joins Barbara to discuss “glocalization” and how to scale technologies shaping a better tomorrow as industry and infrastructure become more productive and sustainable.
Show notes:
Roland on glocalization: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/globalization-isn-t-working-but-glocalization-can-davos2023/
Siemens Xcelerator and Industrial Metaverse: https://new.siemens.com/global/en/company/insights.html
Roland’s annual shareholders meeting speech: https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:44ea0485-0c69-4005-be07-ae7364cf41aa/Roland-Busch-HV-Rede-2023-EN.pdf
Rail Manufacturing Announcement: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-mobility-invest-220-million-north-carolina-rail-manufacturing-facility
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Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
A turning point for the electric grid
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
The U.S. power grid has been called both the “greatest machine ever built” and the “great enabler” of our greatest innovations. But can we successfully reinvent it? In this decade of action, with technology companies stepping up and new federal climate and infrastructure laws moving forward that each focus on power grid modernization, Barbara is joined by Karen Wayland, CEO, Gridwise Alliance. Karen is a recognized expert in national energy and environmental policy who has served in leadership positions at the highest levels of government and nonprofits.
Show notes:
Gridwise Alliance: https://gridwise.org/
Grid Modernization: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/bipartisan-infrastructure.html
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Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: What’s next?
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities, joins the podcast to provide a local perspective on the deployment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With many communities directly accessing federal infrastructure funds for the first time, Anthony outlines priorities for cities, towns, and villages nationwide.
Show Notes:
NLC Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources: https://www.nlc.org/initiative/ready-to-rebuild/
Siemens Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/bipartisan-infrastructure.html
Youth Excel: https://www.nlc.org/initiative/youth-excel/#:~:text=To%20support%20cities'%20efforts%20to,Youth%20Economic%20Recovery%20and%20Empowerment.
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Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
The power of psychological safety
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
For the last episode of 2022, Barbara is joined by Dr. Connie Hadley, an organizational psychologist and founder of the Institute for Life at Work, to discuss how to build stronger, more innovative teams. Building on the show’s core theme of optimism and last year’s episode on growth mindset, this conversation unpacks how work cultures rooted in trust and psychological safety foster individual resilience and wellbeing. The outcome? Work environments more conducive to healthy risk taking that lead to growth and more impactful results.
Show notes:
Psychological Safety 101: https://www.institutelifework.org/topic-briefings/psychologicalsafety
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Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
A model microgrid in Bronzeville
Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
Barbara visits a groundbreaking microgrid project in the South Side Chicago neighborhood of Bronzeville. Features interviews with ComEd CEO Gil Quiniones and Paul Pabst, who leads ComEd’s Smart Grid department.
SHOW NOTES:
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecvUf5sdOJs&list=PLF415F6CFBF8D6A91&index=2
Microgrids opportunities in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/bipartisan-infrastructure.html
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Friday Sep 16, 2022
Climate action: how to achieve ‘drawdown’
Friday Sep 16, 2022
Friday Sep 16, 2022
Chad Frischmann is the co-author of the New York Times best-seller “Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming.” He also pioneered Project Drawdown and is now the founder of a new organization called Regenerative Intelligence. Barbara and Chad explore how to achieve a moment in time when the concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases begins to decline annually and what a regenerative future looks like. Learn about the impact of tech solutions that can be immediately deployed, and the potential for further innovation.
Show Notes:
Regenerative Intelligence: https://regenintel.earth/
Project Drawdown: https://drawdown.org/
TED Talk (100 solutions to reverse global warming): https://www.ted.com/talks/chad_frischmann_100_solutions_to_reverse_global_warming?language=en
Siemens and Environmental Action: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/environmental-society-governance/environmental-action.html
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Monday Jul 18, 2022
Accelerating America’s electric future
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Barbara brings listeners inside a United for Infrastructure event focused on accelerating electric vehicle deployment and grid modernization in North Carolina, with commentary from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper; Brian Savoy, Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer for Duke Energy; and Charles Lattuca, President and CEO of GoTriangle, which provides bus services in North Carolina’s Research Triangle region.
Show notes:
Electrifying North Carolina transit: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/press-releases/smart-infrastructure/siemens-advances-north-carolinas-electric-transit-efforts.html
Volkswagen and Siemens invest in Electrify America: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/volkswagen-and-siemens-invest-electrify-americas-ambitious-growth-plan?spr_cid=120_12955&spr_pid=300000303245101&linkId=300000002778471
Acting on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/building-for-a-changing-tomorrow.html
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Thursday Jun 30, 2022
Platform Revolution
Thursday Jun 30, 2022
Thursday Jun 30, 2022
With previous episodes focusing on the power of new federal investment combined with emerging technologies, this one explores the big, overarching trend that promises to truly change everything: a platform revolution. Following the release day of Siemens’ new open digital business platform, Siemens Xcelerator, Marshall Van Alstyne, co-author of international bestseller “Platform Revolution,” offers his view on why platform models giving rise to the likes of Uber, Airbnb and Amazon are now ready to transform industry and infrastructure. Barbara is also joined by Peter Koerte, Chief Technology and Strategy Officer at Siemens, who highlights how the platform model’s focus on ecosystems and creating network effects will accelerate decarbonization as it remakes factories, energy grids, buildings, and transportations system.
Show notes:
Siemens Xcelerator Press Release: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-launches-siemens-xcelerator-open-digital-business-platform-accelerate-digital
Platform Revolution: https://www.amazon.com/Platform-Revolution-Networked-Markets-Transforming/dp/0393249131
Peter’s article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/digitalization-decarbonization-two-megatrends-each-other-peter-koerte/?trackingId=Sg8Tf%2BSWT0%2B%2BRNFwc0fwMg%3D%3D&linkId=300000002456347
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The Optimistic Outlook
The national conversation surrounding America’s infrastructure has focused on how to fix it and fund it. In The Optimistic Outlook podcast, Siemens USA CEO Barbara Humpton looks deeper, focusing on how reinventing infrastructure can help address societal challenges.