Former Amex CEO on What Business Leaders Are Getting Wrong

Kenneth Chenault on why venture capital needs to change, what great leaders stand for, and how AI could reshape business without sacrificing trust.

Former American Express CEO and General Catalyst Chairman Ken Chenault joins Eric Newcomer to discuss the lessons that shaped his career, from taking risks early in life and joining Bain to leading one of America’s biggest companies.

Chenault explains why business leaders need clear principles, his views on merit and diversity, Harvard’s response to political pressure, and why CEOs cannot stay silent when their core values are at stake. He also breaks down General Catalyst’s evolution beyond traditional venture capital, investing in Stripe at the Series A, using AI to transform legacy businesses, and why he believes the “move fast and break things” era is over.

The conversation also explores whether AI is in a bubble, responsible AI development, the future of American business, and Chenault’s belief that companies can pursue both profit and purpose.