‘Why Are You Here?’: PGIM Quantitative Solutions CEO Linda Gibson’s Path To Purposeful Leadership

As captain of her high school field hockey team, Linda Gibson learned an early lesson that would shape her entire leadership journey: connection fuels performance. With her team deep in a losing streak, she didn’t crack down with drills or tactics. Instead, she paused practice, gathered her teammates, and asked a simple question: “Why do you love this game?” The answers varied—but the impact was instant. The team’s energy shifted. Their purpose resurfaced.

Years later, now CEO and Chairperson of PGIM Quantitative Solutions, a firm managing more than $111 billion in assets, Linda found herself facing a different kind of team challenge. Morale was low, momentum was slipping and the stakes were high. So she reached back to that field, and asked a similar question: “Why are you in this business?” Once again, clarity followed. Motivation returned. And her people rallied—not around metrics, but meaning.

“Leading isn’t about addressing the team as a whole,” she shared on the latest episode of Corporate Competitor Podcast. “It’s about connecting with individuals.”

For Linda, the key to engagement is understanding each person’s motivations and communication style, because leadership isn’t about having all the answers, or being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about creating a culture where people can thrive, one that’s built on trust, shared purpose and the space to bring your full self to the team.

She discussed this and more on the podcast, including:

• The EQ X-Factor. In today’s modern world, AI is on the rise. But while technology can replace parts of our analytical IQ side, Gibson said, it cannot replace our EQ. “Emotional intelligence or EQ is something I’ve come to believe is the defining trait of standout leaders,” she said. “While IQ is important, EQ is really what I consider the X-Factor.”

• Enforce your values. When Gibson was speaking to her team recently, she noticed a senior member roll their eyes. She knew she had to address it right away. Gibson stays committed addressing even small behaviors that might undermine the culture.

• Be creative. Gibson knows that being creative in her communication style is important. While she keeps emails short and sweet, she started making videos on the way to the dog park with her puppy, discussing news and updates. “Employees would tell me it made leadership feel more relatable, more grounded,” she said. “They didn’t just see me as a leader, they saw me as a person navigating big responsibilities while staying connected to them.”