
In a world of constant noise and evolving technology, it's hard to know what truly matters.
Leaders today are faced with challenges that seem unprecedented, from mastering new tech to building a culture that thrives in uncertainty.
Do you feel like you're just reacting to the latest trends instead of setting your own course?
Are you struggling to build influence in a meaningful way?
This week, our Top Voices Unite community delivered a masterclass in modern leadership. We explored timeless lessons from a military general, the secret to turning online engagement into real influence, and the mind-bending future of technology.
This is your compass for navigating the next phase of your career.
Leadership Lessons from the Front Lines
What does it take to lead through complexity and chaos?
On this week's Top Voices Tuesday, host Michael Lopez (Author of “Change”) sat down with the honorable General David Petraeus, former CIA Director and a four-star U.S. Army General, to explore timeless leadership lessons forged in the heat of global conflict.
This was not about war stories—it was a masterclass in decision-making, personal growth, and leading with values.
When asked what defines truly great leadership, General Petraeus emphasized the power of vision:
“I think the real genius of the greatest of strategic leaders…those at the very top who have the responsibility and the opportunity to shape the strategy, to get the big ideas right.”
The takeaway was clear: every leader operates within a strategic ecosystem. Success is determined not just by execution, but by alignment with a broader mission.
Michael also reflected on the importance of building culture:
"I coach football, I play football, I still coach football. And I remind people; be the best you can be and be the best teammate you can be.”
From huddles to high-stakes operations, great leaders practice what they preach.
In fact, a study by People Insight showed that only 62% of employees feel their senior leaders provide a clear organizational vision. This highlights the urgent need for leadership development, a global industry valued at $366B and growing. (Joseph D’Souza)
Key Takeaways
- Vision drives execution: Strategic leaders get the big ideas right and align their teams with a clear mission.
- Culture is built on action: Great leaders practice what they preach and prioritize being a good teammate.
- Empathy is a leadership tool: Fluency in both innovation and empathy is a crucial skill for modern leaders.
Replay + Resources
📺 Watch the Full Episode
- In LinkedIn: “Leadership Lessons from General David Petraeus”
- In YouTube
🎙️Join the next episode of Top Voice Tuesday with Mark Phinick on August 26 at 12:00 PM EST on LinkedIn Live. Register here!
📬 Get the most of the insights from our featured Top Voices in this episode!
- Learn from Michael’s latest thinking on change and transformation, along with current topics discussed on the Top Voice Tuesday Podcast and subscribe here!
- Grab a copy of “Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine―Understanding Modern Warfare Today” in Amazon written by General David Petraeus and Andrew Roberts.
From Quick Reactions to Comment Alchemy
(Denise Murtha Bachmann in Blue TV livestream sharing how to make comments that convert conversations into credibility and opportunities)
Engagement is easy, but are you turning it into influence?
In this week's Blue TV livestream, LinkedIn Top Voice and Sellovatorz, Inc. founder Denise Murtha Bachmann broke down the hidden power of strategic commenting.
Beyond likes and shares, she showed how authentic comments can elevate your thought leadership, build trust, and even drive opportunities—without sounding "salesy."
Denise's core message was powerful:
"If you are not commenting, you’re leaving out an opportunity to foster conversations that lead to opportunities.”
Did you know LinkedIn’s algorithm only counts comments with 5+ words toward engagement signals? This means short, generic comments are a missed chance.
The Comment Alchemy Framework
Denise didn’t just share commenting tips—she showed us how to turn five words and a thoughtful tag into lasting visibility, credibility, and influence on LinkedIn.
- The Five-Word Rule
LinkedIn’s algorithm ignores comments shorter than five words. Make every line count.
- Tag with Purpose
Always tag post authors (and others mentioned) to spark notifications and increase visibility. - Prioritize High-Value Posts by engaging with these two main groups:
- Sales evangelists / industry peers with strong audiences
- Potential clients, partners, or collaborators
- The Comment Formula
- Open strong with a viewpoint or reaction
- Add an insight from experience or expertise
- End with a follow-up question to keep the thread alive
- Avoid the Pod Trap
Engagement pods are detectable by LinkedIn’s algorithm and can result in bans. Genuine comments build long-term trust.
Replay + Resources
📺 Replay the Full Episode: Comment Alchemy – Turning Others’ Posts into Influence Power
🔷 Learn from LinkedIn Top Voice Denise Murtha Bachmann
🌐 Sellovatorz.com
📅 Book a 1:1 Strategy Call with Denise
→ The next episode of Blue TV with Anthony Blatner about Building a High-Impact LinkedIn Ad Strategy for Tech Companies will be on August 27 at 11 AM EST (10 AM CST) on LinkedIn Live. Stay tuned!
AI Superintelligence, Dolphins & Conscious Tech
This wasn't your typical AI conversation.
In this week's AI Zombies livestream, Silicon Zombies host Nick Larson and futurist Cory Warfield took us on a mind-bending journey to the next frontier of technology. They went beyond the usual hype to discuss breakthroughs in species communication, biodegradable plastics, and the arrival of "living intelligence."
The AI community is no longer debating if general intelligence is coming, but when. The conversation highlighted Google DeepMind's "Dolphin Gamma," which has achieved two-way, predictable communication with dolphins.
Cory shared that Google is now working on similar models for other animals. As he put it,
"We humans know virtually nothing about the brain. Quantum AI will understand it in its entirety as soon as we let it.”
Nick also brought up the idea of a cyclical trend in technology:
“But it isn't like the kind of the topic du jour is that we are seeing a slowdown in AI innovation. But then again, we've seen this before.”
This underscores a key theme: while the technology may seem unprecedented, the human response to innovation often follows a predictable pattern of excitement, doubt, and eventual acceptance.
The episode also covered incredible real-world applications of technology, from a new biodegradable plastic stronger than existing materials to projects aiming to solve cancer within two years.
But the most intriguing discussion centered on "living intelligence," which may exist beyond binary code. Cory noted:
“The signals suggest we’re brushing against forms of consciousness that rewrite what “artificial” even means.”
Scientific & Medical Applications
AI breakthroughs reshape sustainability, healthcare, and cancer solutions worldwide.
- Biodegradable Plastic: Google DeepMind synthesized a plastic stronger than existing materials but degradable in weeks, a breakthrough for sustainability.
- Healthcare AI: Stanford researchers are using AI to map atrial fibrillation treatments, impacting 6M Americans and 33M people globally.
- Cancer Research: Reid Hoffman’s Manus claims to be less than two years away from fully solving cancer using AI.
From sustainable plastics to lifesaving treatments, AI is rapidly delivering solutions once thought impossible.
Replay + Resources
📺 Replay the full livestream: Silicon Zombies 194: AI Zombies ft. Cory Warfield
Next episode of AI Zombies will be on August 27 at 2:30 PM EST on LinkedIn Live.
Stay Tuned!
🤝 Connect with our AI Zombies speakers making waves as LinkedIn Top Voices!
🔹 Nick Larson
→ Company Website: Silicon Zombies
→ YouTube Channel: subscribe here!
→ Need Advice? Book a 1:1 with Nick in Hubble!
→ Subscribe to Nick’s LinkedIn Newsletter: Brain Food
🔹 Cory Warfield
→ Company Websites:
- Coryconnects
- DCRBN
- Agora World
→ Subscribe to Cory’s newsletters!
- LinkedIn newsletter: Tech for Good
- The Best Tech Newsletter
In-Person Events from Our Top Voices: Get Ready to Connect!
We believe the best connections are made in person. That's why our Top Voices are bringing their expertise to you at their 3 big upcoming events.
It’s your chance to move from the digital world to real-life connections, with the opportunity to gain firsthand insights and network with other leaders!
- When: September 3, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM CST
- Where: Houston, TX
- Focus: A powerful, intimate 15-seat workshop with Denise Murtha Bachmann and Robin Daniels to help you master social media and elevate your personal brand.
- When: October 10, 2025
- Where: Silicon Valley
- Focus: Join Nick Larson and his Silicon Zombies team, Dr. Aubrey de Grey, and other future-minded leaders to discuss longevity, performance living, and the future of human optimization.
- When: November 5, 2025
- Where: San Francisco
- Focus: An event for enterprise leaders to turn AI from concept into reality where one of our Top Voices Nitin Gupta will be speaking. Learn from over 35 practitioners and see over 600 AI deployments in action.
Explore more and reserve your spot for these exclusive events!
Reflection
After a week of diving deep into leadership, influence, and the future of technology, what is the single most important action you will take to grow your personal or professional brand?
Let us know in the comments!
Stay Connected to What Matters Most
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