Forbes Councils

07/19/2026

A leader’s first impression starts before they speak.

In this clip, Ryan Paugh asks behavioral researcher and bestselling author Vanessa Van Edwards about a common nonverbal mistake leaders make in meetings, videos, and everyday conversations.

Her advice: pay attention to the distance between your ears and your shoulders.

That small posture shift can change how confident, open, anxious, or contained you appear — especially when greeting a team, joining a Zoom call, or saying something important.

07/16/2026

Your AI content still looks like AI.

That’s the issue Erik Huberman is seeing in marketing right now — especially when brands use generated images and videos in ways that customers can immediately recognize.

In this Forbes Councils Sessions clip, Ryan Paugh asks the Founder and CEO of Hawke Media why so many teams are experimenting with AI and still getting average results.

Erik’s take: marketers may be spending too much energy on the visible, shiny use cases while overlooking the places AI can quietly improve how teams work.

07/15/2026

Your next client may never read your website. They might read your article.

Thought leadership often shapes first impressions long before the first conversation, helping prospects understand how you think, solve problems, and approach your work.

The Forbes Councils editorial team developed the Forbes Councils Ultimate Pre-Publishing Checklist using insights from reviewing thousands of executive submissions. Use it to make your next idea publishable.

The pre-publishing checklist Forbes Councils built from our editorial team and top member contributors.

07/14/2026

Some customers come back because it’s convenient. Superfans come back because the experience means something to them.

In this Forbes Councils Sessions clip, Ryan Paugh asks Brittany Hodak, author of Creating Superfans, why so many brands struggle to build that kind of customer connection.

Her advice: look beyond retention and pay attention to whether your customers are actively bringing others with them.

Because the strongest customer relationships don’t end with loyalty — they create momentum.

07/12/2026

Nick Friedman, Co-Founder College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving, has appeared on Shark Tank, Undercover Boss, and other shows that highlight entrepreneurship for a broad audience.

In this Forbes Councils Sessions clip, Ryan Paugh asks him what television doesn’t fully capture about running a successful business.

Nick points to the less visible work behind company-building: hiring the right people, making difficult decisions, tracking margins, improving the customer experience, and repeating high standards until they become part of how the business operates.

07/09/2026

From business and technology to marketing, HR, finance, leadership, and sales, Forbes Councils' Pulse newsletters deliver insights from experienced industry leaders.

Explore them all:

Discover cutting-edge strategies, trending topics, and actionable insights from senior executives worldwide—in finance, tech, marketing, communications, and business.

07/09/2026

The skills-based economy is changing how companies think about talent.

In this Forbes Councils Sessions clip, Ryan Paugh speaks with Forbes HR Council member Britton Bloch about why titles, degrees, and rigid job descriptions can limit the way companies evaluate people.

Britton’s advice: build roles around outcomes, understand the skills the work actually requires, and look more closely at the capability and potential already inside the organization.

07/08/2026

Every published thought leadership article begins long before the first sentence is written. It starts with an idea that's clear, relevant, and worth a reader's time.

After reviewing thousands of executive submissions, the Forbes Councils editorial team has identified the questions that consistently improve an article before it's submitted.

Those insights became the Forbes Councils Ultimate Pre-Publishing Checklist.

If you're publishing thought leadership, review the checklist before you submit your next article:

The pre-publishing checklist Forbes Councils built from our editorial team and top member contributors.

07/07/2026

The best speakers don’t try to give audiences everything. They give them one idea they can actually remember.

Here, Ryan Paugh asks keynote speaker and Talkadot Cofounder Arel Moodie what audiences really need from a presentation.

His perspective: too much information can make a message harder to retain.

The goal is to choose one meaningful idea, make it clear, and give people a way to use it 💡

07/05/2026

Laurie Ruettimann shares what top talent is really looking for in a workplace.

Watch as Ryan Paugh asks the HR leader, author, speaker, and executive coach what leaders should understand about company culture.

Laurie’s perspective centers on the fundamentals: clear expectations, fair pay, strong systems, psychological safety, and an effective environment where people can do meaningful work well.