“If you understand geopolitics and thread it through all your decision-making and strategies, you’ll be able to anticipate what’s coming next and avoid surprises.” – Michelle DiGruttolo
The former White House intelligence briefer to President Obama, Michelle DiGruttolo, helps decision makers navigate the most complex issues of our time. During this interview, she shares eye-opening insights into today’s rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, covering everything from AI and quantum computing to global power shifts, trade, Trump, and the looming threat of a major international crisis.
What are the geopolitical forces shaping businesses today? What are the current blind spots companies aren’t seeing? Michelle introduces a “Kaleidoscope Method”, a way of seeing the world from multiple angles to uncover what others miss. She warns of the fragmentation of global power, where multinational corporations now rival nations in influence, and explains why traditional institutions like the UN and WTO have failed.
“Trump has exposed the fact that political and cultural norms are only as strong as what we’re willing to enforce.” What does the post-Trump landscape look like? How can businesses make sense of what’s going on in the Capital – “the Washington consensus is dead.” What may trigger the next large-scale geopolitical conflict, and how will this be fought?
This interview is a must-watch if you want to understand where the world is heading and how to stay ahead of it.
Timeline:
- 00:00 – Intro & early career
- 1:40 – Why 2012 is significant in geopolitics
- 04:46 – Kaleidoscope Metaphor & geopolitical geometry
- 07:33 – Tensions/relations we aren’t seeing
- 10:45 – The international power of multinational companies
- 11:30 – Concerns about regulation
- 13:00 – Why WTO, UN have failed. What’s next?
- 16:02 – What does post-Trump look like?
- 20:10 – What’s actually happening in Washington?
- 23:28 – How AI and Quantum will shape power
- 26:47 – The Quantum race & why its important
- 27:35 – A worldwide crisis is approaching
- 31:55 – Fight over the Artic & trade
- 34:40 – Strategic advise to businesses
- 36:20 – Q&A
Interested in booking Michelle DiGruttolo as a keynote speaker or boardroom advisor?
