
- 27 Nov 2023
- Deep Purpose
From Rags to (Shared) Riches: How James Mwangi Democratized Financial Access Across Africa
James Mwangi made a courageous decision to leave a comfortable, big-city banking job to rescue Equity Building Society, a local financial institution on which Kenyan farmers and villagers depended. Under his leadership, the struggling firm transformed into a multi-national conglomerate (Equity Group Holdings) that now serves millions of customers across six African countries. Mwangi explains how he found the fortitude to fight for the financial futures of everyday people.

- 22 Nov 2023
- Climate Rising
CarbonBuilt: Decarbonizing Concrete Blocks
The second episode of our hard-to-abate series features Rahul Shendure, CEO and Director at CarbonBuilt. The company has developed and commercialized a Carbon XPRIZE-winning technology to produce what it calls “ultra low carbon” concrete. We start with the basics of how concrete is such a high-emitting product, then describe how CarbonBuilt’s technology is reducing product costs and emissions by replacing cement with a combination of industrial waste materials and CO2 – often captured directly from industrial sources. Rahul also shares advice for those looking to build careers in climate, particularly in the start-up world. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Rahul Shendure, CEO and Director at CarbonBuilt.

- 22 Nov 2023
- Research & Ideas
Humans vs. Machines: Untangling the Tasks AI Can (and Can't) Handle
Are you a centaur or a cyborg? A study of 750 consultants sheds new light on the strengths and limits of ChatGPT, and what it takes to operationalize generative AI. Research by Edward McFowland III, Karim Lakhani, Fabrizio Dell'Acqua, and colleagues.

- 21 Nov 2023
- Cold Call Podcast
Cold Call: Building a More Equitable Culture at Delta Air Lines
In December 2020 Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian and his leadership team were reviewing the decision to join the OneTen coalition, where he and 36 other CEOs committed to recruiting, hiring, training, and advancing one million Black Americans over the next ten years into family-sustaining jobs. But, how do you ensure everyone has equal access to opportunity within an organization? Professor Linda Hill discusses Delta’s decision and its progress in embedding a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in her case, “OneTen at Delta Air Lines: Catalyzing Family-Sustaining Careers for Black Talent.”

- 21 Nov 2023
- Research & Ideas
Employee Negativity Is Like Wildfire. Manage It Before It Spreads.
One overwhelmed person's gripes can quickly escalate into collective distress. Research by Amit Goldenberg gives managers reasons to pay close attention to teams' emotions. He offers advice to help groups reframe negative experiences.

- 21 Nov 2023
- Op-Ed
The Beauty Industry: Products for a Healthy Glow or a Compact for Harm?
Many cosmetics and skincare companies present an image of social consciousness and transformative potential, while profiting from insecurity and excluding broad swaths of people. Geoffrey Jones examines the unsightly reality of the beauty industry.

- 20 Nov 2023
- Deep Purpose
Piloting Alaska Airlines with Compassion
To pilot Alaska Airlines, CEO Ben Minicucci draws on his Italian immigrant roots and Canadian military training, which was put to the test during a tricky operation near the North Pole. Having first gained a reputation at the company as “the numbers guy,” Minicucci discusses how he has been evolving into a leader who cares deeply about Alaska Airline’s employees, customers, and the communities it serves.

- 15 Nov 2023
- Managing the Future of Work
Euan Blair on workforce development: College is broken. Apprenticeships deliver.
Episode 200: The founder and CEO of UK-based unicorn Multiverse makes the case for the earn-and-learn model. Arguing that the college advantage is oversold and overpriced, Blair touts targeted training as a more practical alternative for workers and employers. Can Multiverse expand the practicum in the US?

- 14 Nov 2023
- Research & Ideas
The Network Effect: Why Companies Should Care About Employees’ LinkedIn Connections
What do Honeywell, IBM, and Pfizer have in common? Employees with strong professional networks. A study of 2 billion employee relationships on LinkedIn probes the power of such connections—and potential benefits for companies. Research by Frank Nagle.

- 14 Nov 2023
- What Do You Think?
Do We Underestimate the Importance of Generosity in Leadership?
Management experts applaud leaders who are, among other things, determined, humble, and frugal, but rarely consider whether they are generous. However, executives who share their time, talent, and ideas often give rise to legendary organizations. Does generosity merit further consideration? asks James Heskett. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

- 13 Nov 2023
- Deep Purpose
How Levi Strauss & Co.’s Harmit Singh Finds Purpose in Profit
As the Chief Financial & Growth Officer of the Levi Strauss & Co. clothing brand, Harmit Singh makes tough decisions by sticking to a clear set of values that are well-aligned with the company’s larger purpose. He is inspired, in part, by Levi Strauss himself, who started selling his now-iconic jeans during the California Gold Rush and committed some of his first profits to a local orphanage. With this inspiration in mind, Singh reflects on how taking risks throughout his career has made him a more courageous, future-oriented leader.

- 13 Nov 2023
- The Parlor Room
Jill Avery on Building a Winning Brand Portfolio
What can you learn about brand portfolio strategy from Marriott's $13.3 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts? Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer Jill Avery joins host Chris Linnane in The Parlor Room to answer that question and discuss how Marriott overcame the challenge of managing its robust 30-brand portfolio.

- 09 Nov 2023
- HBS Case
What Will It Take to Confront the Invisible Mental Health Crisis in Business?
The pressure to do more, to be more, is fueling its own silent epidemic. Lauren Cohen discusses the common misperceptions that get in the way of supporting employees' well-being, drawing on case studies about people who have been deeply affected by mental illness.

- 08 Nov 2023
- Climate Rising
Einride: Decarbonizing Trucking with EVs, Automony, and Digitalization
This first episode of our hard-to-abate series features Linnéa Kornehed Falck, Einride's Founder, Deputy CEO and Board Member. Einride is launching a fleet of battery electric autonomous trucks, orchestrated via route-optimization software. We discuss how its fleet-based freight capacity-as-a-service business model seeks to disrupt the cargo trucking industry, and better serve customers while decarbonizing the sector. Linnéa also shares some advice for purpose-driven entrepreneurs. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Linnéa Kornehed Falck, Founder, Deputy CEO and Board Member, Einride.

- 07 Nov 2023
- Cold Call Podcast
How Should Meta Be Governed for the Good of Society?
Julie Owono is executive director of Internet Sans Frontières and a member of the Oversight Board, an outside entity with the authority to make binding decisions on tricky moderation questions for Meta’s companies, including Facebook and Instagram. Harvard Business School visiting professor Jesse Shapiro and Owono break down how the Board governs Meta’s social and political power to ensure that it’s used responsibly, and discuss the Board’s impact, as an alternative to government regulation, in the case, “Independent Governance of Meta’s Social Spaces: The Oversight Board.”

- 07 Nov 2023
- Research & Ideas
When Glasses Land the Gig: Employers Still Choose Workers Who 'Look the Part'
Is an eyeglass-wearer more likely to be a strong web developer? Employers that use online talent platforms tend to consider profile photos in final hiring decisions, says research by Isamar Troncoso. What's the role of recruiting platforms in preventing bias?

- 06 Nov 2023
- Deep Purpose
Making Global Sustainability Personal at Bühler
The global food supply chain is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental challenges. Many companies avoid these issues or make token efforts to reduce their impact on the planet. But as CEO of the Swiss-based technology giant Bühler Group, Stefan Scheiber is mapping a courageous plan to combat food waste and climate change. He describes how he challenges his own company, its customers, and himself to face sustainability problems head-on.

- 06 Nov 2023
- Research & Ideas
Did You Hear What I Said? How to Listen Better
People who seem like they're paying attention often aren't—even when they're smiling and nodding toward the speaker. Research by Alison Wood Brooks, Hanne Collins, and colleagues reveals just how prone the mind is to wandering, and sheds light on ways to stay tuned in to the conversation.

- 01 Nov 2023
- Managing the Future of Work
Deloitte's Dan Helfrich on consulting in the post-Covid, AI-inflected new normal
How do a culture of open debate and prioritizing work-life balance help the firm navigate change while advising others on how to do the same?
Jeff Bussgang on the Rise of AI & Raising Venture Capital
HBS Senior Lecturer Jeff Bussgang joins host Chris Linnane in The Parlor Room to discuss the rise of generative AI, how to come up with good business ideas, why experimentation is vital to finding product-market fit, and how to raise venture capital successfully.