In this week’s Return to People podcast, host Kaleem Clarkson sits down with Bruce Reading, President and CEO of Act!, for an inspiring conversation on leadership, engagement, and transformation in today’s hybrid workplace.

With decades of experience leading global tech companies, Bruce has built billion-dollar categories, returned over $1.4 billion to investors, and hired more than 500 people across multiple continents. Now, his focus is on empowering the next generation of leaders by helping teams unlock their potential by building trust, clarity, and purpose at every level of the organization.

At Act!, a pioneer in customer relationship management software, Bruce has led a major cultural shift to reignite innovation and relevance in a fast-evolving market. He shares how the company overcame complacency by reconnecting with its customers and transforming into a people-first organization. “Customers trusted us,” he reflects, “but we needed to shift our culture to match their evolving needs.” That meant embracing change, redefining expectations, and putting engagement at the center of success.

Bruce also opens up about the challenges and opportunities of hybrid work. As Act! adapted to new ways of collaborating, one thing became clear, engagement doesn’t just happen by chance. It requires consistent communication, clear vision, and a strong sense of purpose. To foster that, Bruce implemented regular feedback sessions and Individual Development Plans (IDPs) that give every employee ownership over their growth. The result? A culture rooted in accountability and trust, and a company with remarkably low turnover.

Throughout the conversation, Bruce’s message is clear: thriving in the modern workplace means investing in people as much as strategy. Technology may evolve, but human connection, feedback, and trust remain the true drivers of long-term success.

This episode is packed with powerful insights for anyone navigating the complexities of leadership, hybrid culture, and customer engagement. Bruce Reading’s journey proves that when leaders prioritize people, both employees and customers, they don’t just create stronger companies; they build lasting legacies.

🎧 Tune in now to hear how Bruce Reading is redefining engagement, culture, and leadership in the hybrid era, only on the Return to People podcast.

Learn more about Bruce and Act!:

• Bruce´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucemreading/
• Act! LLC: https://www.act.com/