The CEOs of Accenture and Delta on how they deal with ‘fear and uncertainty’

CEO of Accenture Julie Sweet speaks during the Semafor 2024 World Economy Summit in Washington, DC, on April 18, 2024. (Credit: SAUL LOEB—AFP/Getty Images)

• In today’s CEO Daily: Diane Brady talks to Accenture CEO Julie Sweet and Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian.
• The big story: The US and China have begun trade talks—but there is a long way to go.
• The markets: Very happy.
• Analyst notes from Wedbush on Elon Musk, Macquarie on the dollar, and Goldman Sachs on equities.
• Plus: All the news and watercooler chat from Fortune.

Good morning. I remember asking a man in Helsinki why his country is often ranked as the happiest on earth, at which point he leaned in and said, “it depends on how you define ‘happy.’” Good point. What makes for a happy employee at a hedge fund may be different than what motivates workers at a hospital or a hotel company. There are standard good practices like respect, fair pay, interesting work, and a sense of community, of course. But I long ago concluded that the most important factor in fostering happiness on the job is leadership. Inspiring leaders create inspiring places to work, as we’ve seen in the annual Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list.