Why Productivity Is Burning You Out w/ Klaus Kleinfeld | Ep 367

The Futur with Chris Do

The Futur

Arts, Education, Marketing, Design, Business, Self-improvement

4.9 • 998 Ratings

🗓️ 31 July 2025

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, Chris sits down with legendary CEO and leadership thinker Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld for a deep dive into the hidden engine behind long-term success: energy. From running global companies like Siemens and Alcoa to mentoring the next generation of leaders, Klaus shares why burnout is not a badge of honor—and how purpose, mindset, and daily habits are the real levers of performance. This conversation is a masterclass on managing your inner game so you can lead with clarity, stamina, and conviction, no matter the chaos around you. Whether you’re a founder on the brink, a high-achiever running out of steam, or simply someone who wants to lead better and live fuller—this episode is your blueprint. Timestamps: (00:04) – From Siemens to Startups: Klaus’s Career Journey (03:50) – Burnout in Founders & Why Energy Is Everything (15:22) – The Inner Game vs. The Outer Game of Leadership (28:40) – The Purpose Principle: “Love It, Change It, or Leave It” (37:15) – Culture, Respect, and Leading Across Borders (45:09) – Sleep, Breathwork & Physical Hacks for High Energy Check out Klaus Kleinfield: Klaus' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klauskleinfeld/ Klaus' Website: http://leading-to-thrive.com/ Check out Chris Do: Website: ⁠https://zaap.bio/thechrisdo⁠ LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/thechrisdo/⁠ Facebook:⁠https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign⁠ Instagram:⁠https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo/⁠ Twitter:⁠https://x.com/thechrisdo⁠ TikTok:⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thechrisdo⁠ Threads:⁠https://www.threads.net/@thechrisdo⁠ Zaap: ⁠https://zaap.bio/thechrisdo⁠ Clubhouse:⁠https://www.clubhouse.com/@thechrisdo⁠ Behance: ⁠https://www.behance.net/chrisdo⁠ Check out The Futur: Website: ⁠https://www.thefutur.com/⁠ Courses: ⁠https://www.thefutur.com/shop⁠ Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/⁠ Podcasts: ⁠https://thefutur.com/podcast⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/⁠ Twitter: ⁠https://x.com/thefuturishere⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thefuturishere⁠ Youtube:⁠https://www.youtube.com/thefuturishere⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	In the end, it all comes down to finding your purpose.
0:03.2	Because in the end, you will spend a lot of time in your job.
0:06.9	And I think you should look for something that you truly enjoy.
0:10.2	I have always lived by the principle, even when I didn't have money.
0:13.4	I either love it, I change it, or I leave it.
0:16.4	Hello, my name is Klaus Kleinfeld, and you are listening to the future.
0:22.8	So my guests for today's podcast is Dr. Klaus Klinefeld. I've been given permission to call
0:28.1	him Klaus, so we can keep this on an informal basis. He does a lot of thinking and writing on
0:33.4	the inner game, like the mindset, the belief systems. And I know this from a personal experience.
0:39.1	As much advice as we can give to people, until they unlock this inner parts of them,
0:43.5	they're always stuck and they're held back.
0:45.5	So, Klaus, welcome to the show for people who don't know who you are.
0:49.1	Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background?
0:52.3	Klaus Kleinfeld.
0:53.6	I'm an industrialist by background, worked in many industries, had 20 years with Siemens,
0:59.1	ran Siemens worldwide, and then moved back to the US and became the CEO of Alcoa and
1:06.0	ran that for 10 years and split the company into Alcoa and Arconic.
1:10.0	After that was the first CEO of Neon.
1:12.3	And I also now have a portfolio of different things.
1:14.9	One is a family company in the probiotic space,
1:18.2	as well as the investment company,
1:20.2	an active investment, particularly in the AI,
	...

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