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New research on business leadership from Harvard Business School faculty on issues including skills development, authentic leadership, and creating value.
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The COVID Two-Step for Leaders: Protect and Pivot

by Boris Groysberg and Katherine Connolly Baden

Leaders today face two great questions: how to survive, and how to capitalize on new opportunities. Insights from Boris Groysberg and Katherine Connolly Baden. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

Why Don’t More Organizations Understand the Power of Diversity and Inclusion?

by James Heskett

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; Comment(s) posted.

What the Stockdale Paradox Tells Us About Crisis Leadership

by Boris Groysberg and Robin Abrahams

The Stockdale Paradox and survival psychology contain wisdom for how leaders can manage the coronavirus crisis, according to Boris Groysberg and Robin Abrahams. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

6 Ways to Support COVID-Weary Employees

by Dina Gerdeman

Ashley Whillans and colleagues offer managers solutions to ease the stress many employees are experiencing in the new workplace. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

Reflection: The Pause That Brings Peace and Productivity

by Dina Gerdeman

Joseph Badaracco studied classic works and interviewed 100 managers in 15 countries to learn how busy men and women find time for reflection. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

Merck CEO Ken Frazier Discusses a COVID Cure, Racism, and Why Leaders Need to Walk the Talk

by Staff

VIDEO: Ken Frazier, one of only four Black CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, speaks with Professor Tsedal Neeley about the search for a coronavirus vaccine, how racism at the workplace holds back America’s progress, and his own upbringing just one generation from slavery. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

It’s Time to Reset Decision-Making in Your Organization

by Boris Groysberg and Sarah Abbott

Clear decision-making in a crisis depends on sound methodology and gathering information from a variety of sources. Advice from Boris Groysberg and Sarah Abbott. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

It’s Not About You: Why Leaders Need to Look Outward

by Kristen Senz

By unleashing the full potential of their teams, leaders increase safety and inclusion in the workplace. Co-author Frances Frei discusses her new book, "Unleashed." Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

We’ve Now Been Asking “What Do You Think?” for 20 Years

by James Heskett

James Heskett reflects on 20 years of writing his monthly business management column for HBS Working Knowledge. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

The Key to Powerful Social Change: Small Villages

by Dina Gerdeman

When institutions let us down, look for leadership outside of hierarchies, says Rosabeth Moss Kanter. These leaders "don’t wait to be asked; they just get moving." Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

7 Leadership Principles for Managing in the Time of Coronavirus

by John A. Quelch

Leaders managing their organizations through crisis show seven distinctive capabilities, says John A. Quelch. Call them the seven Cs. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

These Coronavirus Heroes Show Us How Crisis Leadership Works

by Bill George

Now is the time for leaders to inspire their organizations to help the world through the COVID-19 crisis. Bill George has a list of authentic leaders who are up to the challenge. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

A Great Teacher's Lessons for Leading

by Martha Lagace

Thomas DeLong, a professor at Harvard Business School, explains in a new book what makes a great teacher—and manager. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

Are Candor, Humility, and Trust Making a Comeback?

by James Heskett

SUMMING UP: Have core leadership values been declining in recent years? If so, how do we get them back? James Heskett's readers provide answers. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

Open Your Organization to Honest Conversations

by Dina Gerdeman

When company leaders can't hear the voices of their workers, serious strategic mistakes are likely. Michael Beer discusses ways organizations can build powerful communication channels. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

Fostering Perceptions of Authenticity via Sensitive Self-Disclosure

by Li Jiang, Maryam Kouchaki, Francesca Gino, Reihane Boghrati, and Leslie John

By making sensitive self-disclosures, leaders can enhance how authentic their followers perceive them to be, leading to positive interpersonal outcomes and potentially organizational ones as well. Aside from the obvious costs of disclosing weaknesses, leaders may also reap surprising benefits from doing so.

Why Backstage Capital Invests in ‘Underestimated’ Entrepreneurs

Re: Laura Huang

Laura Huang discusses VC Arlan Hamilton’s strategy of backing entrepreneurs who have been ignored because of stereotypes, biases, and preconceptions. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

Can an Organization Have Too Much 'Rebel Talent'?

by James Heskett

SUMMING UP: Staffing your organization with "rebel talent" can produce energy, loyalty, productivity, and creativity. But is there such a thing as too many rebels? asks James Heskett. Readers respond. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

Advanced Leadership Requires More Than Outside-The-Box Thinking

by Sean Silverthorne

In a new book, Rosabeth Moss Kanter encourages leaders to "think outside the building" to overcome establishment paralysis and generate powerful innovation. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.

6 Traits That Set Top Business Leaders Apart

by Danielle Kost

What do the best leaders do differently? Harvard Business School faculty members highlight the leadership skills and qualities that separate good from great. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.