- 01 Nov 2021
- What Do You Think?
How Long Does It Take to Improve an Organization’s Culture?
If organizational culture is so important, why do so many companies struggle to change? James Heskett looks at the role of leaders—like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella—in challenging a company's collective mindset. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 04 Oct 2021
- What Do You Think?
How Do We Make Sure the Right People End Up with Power in Organizations?
A new book argues that companies need to reward humility and empathy—antidotes to the hubris and self-focus of excess power. But is that easier said than done? asks James Heskett. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 01 Sep 2021
- What Do You Think?
Can We Train for Trust?
A culture of trust can improve employee—and company—performance. But can leaders be trained to foster trust among those they lead? asks James Heskett. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 02 Aug 2021
- What Do You Think?
Can Companies with Remote Management Succeed?
Can companies with remote workforces innovate and grow? The question has been dividing business leaders. James Heskett considers both sides of the debate. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 05 Jul 2021
- What Do You Think?
Do Companies Really Need Chief Experience Officers to Know Their Customers?
Does it take a CXO or chief customer officer to bring executives closer to the customer experience? James Heskett ponders the value of this increasingly popular role. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 01 Jun 2021
- What Do You Think?
Are Employers Ready for a Flood of 'New' Talent Seeking Work?
Many people, particularly women, will be returning to the workforce as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes. What will companies need to do to harness the talent wave? asks James Heskett. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 03 May 2021
- What Do You Think?
Where Does CEO Activism Go From Here?
More than 200 CEOs, including Warren Buffett, recently spoke out in support of voting rights. But whom do these CEOs represent? asks James Heskett. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 05 Apr 2021
- What Do You Think?
Why Can’t More Leaders Teach?
If the best leaders tend to be great teachers, why do some successful executives struggle to share their knowledge? What does this shortcoming say about their leadership? asks James Heskett. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 01 Mar 2021
- What Do You Think?
What Does Remote Work Mean for Middle Managers?
Middle management was already the corporate scapegoat of choice before the COVID-19 pandemic. Will work-from-home policies make middle managers unnecessary or more critical than ever? asks James Heskett. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 01 Feb 2021
- What Do You Think?
Has the New Economy Finally Arrived?
Economists have long tied low unemployment to inflation. James Heskett considers whether the US economic policy of the past four years has shaken those assumptions. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 04 Jan 2021
- What Do You Think?
How Do We Sustain Organization Diversity?
Can workforce diversity take hold without inclusion? James Heskett reflects on one company's high-profile struggle to bring in more Black executives. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 01 Dec 2020
- What Do You Think?
How Can We Get Companies to Invest More in Low-Wage Workers?
Does income inequality hold back economic growth? James Heskett ponders what underlying factors keep low-wage workers down. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 02 Nov 2020
- What Do You Think?
Is Antitrust Just a Quaint Notion in the Digital Age?
SUMMING UP: Given the US Department of Justice's new antitrust complaint against Google, is it time to revisit what defines a market monopoly in the internet era? James Heskett's readers consider the potential ramifications. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 01 Oct 2020
- What Do You Think?
Are CEOs the Wrong Leaders for Stakeholder Capitalism?
SUMMING UP: Who bears responsibility for fostering "stakeholder capitalism" to better serve societal goals? Directors? Shareholders? CEOs? Employees? Readers offer their own views to James Heskett. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 31 Aug 2020
- What Do You Think?
Why Don’t More Organizations Understand the Power of Diversity and Inclusion?
SUMMING UP: Diversity in business leadership is certainly an enviable social goal, but does it improve company performance? James Heskett's readers look for the research evidence. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 02 Aug 2020
- What Do You Think?
Is the 'Experimentation Organization' Becoming the Competitive Gold Standard?
SUMMING UP: Digital experimentation is gaining momentum as an everyday habit in many organizations, especially those in high tech, say James Heskett's readers. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 30 Jun 2020
- What Do You Think?
Is a Business School-Industry Collaboration Needed to Attract Black Talent to Campus?
SUMMING UP:James Heskett's readers suggest that recruiting minority students to business school must be matched with programs to retain them. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 01 Jun 2020
- What Do You Think?
Will Challenged Amazon Tweak Its Retail Model Post-Pandemic?
James Heskett's readers have little sympathy for Amazon's loss of market share during the pandemic. Has the organization lost its ability to learn? Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 08 May 2020
- Research & Ideas
We’ve Now Been Asking “What Do You Think?” for 20 Years
James Heskett reflects on 20 years of writing his monthly business management column for HBS Working Knowledge. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
What It Takes to Build an Organizational Culture That Wins
In a world of short-term thinking, an effective organizational culture provides the ultimate competitive advantage. In Win from Within, James Heskett offers a roadmap for developing one. Open for comment; 0 Comments.