Podcast: Bob Gilbreath on Going beyond ‘It’s Just Business’
Published October 7, 2025 by pgalums in
There’s something about the phrase “It’s just business” that’s always felt wrong—especially when it’s used to justify layoffs, burnout, or bad behavior.
But what if there’s more to the story? Hear how one leader wrestles with the tension between leadership, empathy, and the messiness of modern work — from the cruelty of corporate language to the uncomfortable idea that even bad bosses and BS jobs might serve a purpose. It’s a raw look at how we lead, how we’re led, and how we can find meaning in the middle of the madness.
This conversation is from P&G Alum Bob Gilbreath’s podcast & newsletter “The Workaround” — Bob is a repeat startup founder with two exits. Bob’s stories and conversations — from a career in tech startups and corporate innovation — are here to make you think, smile, and discover a shortcut to success or a trap to avoid. You can subscribe at behearty.substack.com, or schedule Office Hours with Bob – calendly.com/bob-gilbreath/bob-gilbreath-office-hours
This is a feature of an Alumni Leader’s frequently published thought leadership. Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode – reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com