The Evolving Leader: AI, EQ, and the New CEO | Giovanni Farese | Leading Minds Revealed | EP 105

In this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, host Michael Apollo sits down with Giovanni Farese, CEO of Webidoo, a global tech company specializing in AI-powered digital marketing. Giovanni, recognized by Forbes as one of the 100 most innovative managers, offers a deeply reflective look at the evolving demands of leadership in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world. Together, they unpack the shift from old-school operational leadership to a more emotionally intelligent, human-centered approach. Giovanni shares powerful insights into how mindfulness, curiosity, and emotional clarity shape his leadership style, and why taking back your time is one of the most important strategies for modern executives. From challenging hustle culture and embracing intentional rest, to leading remote-first teams with empathy and structure, this episode is a masterclass in what it means to be a mindful and modern leader. 00:00 Introduction to Leading Minds Revealed 00:50 Meet Giovanni Farese: Skydiver, Surfer, CEO 02:10 Why Leadership Must Evolve 04:45 Emotional Intelligence vs. Artificial Intelligence 07:20 The Manager’s Mind vs. the Leader’s Mind 10:05 The Cost of Constant Connectivity 13:18 Creating Space for Clarity 16:44 Using AI to Get Time Back, Not Just Boost Productivity 20:01 Micro-Habits for a Balanced Leader 23:16 Why Leaders Need to Experiment and Reflect 26:30 The Power of Disconnecting from Devices 29:45 Redesigning Remote Work: Culture, Clarity & Connection 33:50 Building Emotional Connection in Distributed Teams 38:22 From Mistakes to Mindfulness: Leading with Humility 41:00 Developing Emotional Skills Across Your Leadership Team 44:58 Supporting Growth Through Personalized Tools 48:10 Real Talk: Burnout, Sleep, and Breaking Old Habits 52:05 Why Curiosity Is a Leadership Superpower 54:12 Connect with Giovanni & Final Takeaways Connect with Giovanni Farese: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/giovannifarese1/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/giovanni.farese/ X (formerly Twitter) - https://x.com/gfarese