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New research from Harvard Business School faculty on the traits, behaviors, and characteristic methods of successful leaders.
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Fawn Weaver’s Entrepreneurial Journey as an Outsider in the Spirits Industry

Re: Hise O. Gibson

In 2017 Fawn Weaver launched a premium American whiskey brand, Uncle Nearest. It became the fastest growing and most awarded whiskey brand in America, despite the challenges Weaver faced as a Black woman and outsider to the spirits industry, which is capital-intensive, highly regulated, competitive, and male-dominated. In October 2023, Weaver announced plans to expand into cognac with the goal of building the next major alcoholic beverages conglomerate. But the company was still heavily reliant on capital. How could Weaver convince new investors that her plans for cognac would yield success? Harvard Business School senior lecturer Hise Gibson discusses Weaver’s leadership style, growth strategies, and her use of storytelling to connect customers with her brand in the case, "Uncle Nearest: Creating a Legacy."

Corporate Boards Are Failing in Their No. 1 Duty

by Bill George

General Electric, Wells Fargo, and Boeing all chose the wrong CEOs for the job, says Bill George, creating big problems for the companies. George outlines five common mistakes boards of directors make when selecting leaders and provides advice for picking the appropriate person for this all-important role.

Five Essential Elements to Build the Capital You Need to Lead

by Dina Gerdeman

The path to leadership can seem unclear in competitive organizations. In the book The Treasure You Seek, Archie L. Jones offers a roadmap to help aspiring leaders discover their strengths, communicate effectively, and build meaningful connections.

Deion Sanders' Prime Lessons for Leading a Team to Victory

by Avery Forman

The former star athlete known for flash uses unglamorous command-and-control methods to get results as a college football coach. Business leaders can learn 10 key lessons from the way 'Coach Prime' builds a culture of respect and discipline without micromanaging, says Hise Gibson.

Can Sustainability Drive Innovation at Ferrari?

Re: Raffaella Sadun

When Ferrari, the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer, committed to achieving carbon neutrality and to electrifying a large part of its car fleet, investors and employees applauded the new strategy. But among the company’s suppliers, the reaction was mixed. Many were nervous about how this shift would affect their bottom lines. Professor Raffaella Sadun and Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna discuss how Ferrari collaborated with suppliers to work toward achieving the company’s goal. They also explore how sustainability can be a catalyst for innovation in the case, “Ferrari: Shifting to Carbon Neutrality.” This episode was recorded live December 4, 2023 in front of a remote studio audience in the Live Online Classroom at Harvard Business School.

Lessons in Decision-Making: Confident People Aren't Always Correct (Except When They Are)

by Kara Baskin

A study of 70,000 decisions by Thomas Graeber and Benjamin Enke finds that self-assurance doesn't necessarily reflect skill. Shrewd decision-making often comes down to how well a person understands the limits of their knowledge. How can managers identify and elevate their best decision-makers?

From P.T. Barnum to Mary Kay: Lessons From 5 Leaders Who Changed the World

by Avery Forman

What do Steve Jobs and Sarah Breedlove have in common? Through a series of case studies, Robert Simons explores the unique qualities of visionary leaders and what today's managers can learn from their journeys.

How Would the Leadership Style of Girl Scouts' Frances Hesselbein Fare Today?

Re: James L. Heskett

Frances Hesselbein's mission-driven leadership helped shift the nonprofit's image, and expand and diversify its membership. James Heskett reflects on the late executive director's reputation for storytelling and change management. Would her tactics work today? Open for comment; 0 Comments.

How Would Jack Welch’s Leadership Style Fare in Today’s World?

by James Heskett

Some consider Jack Welch the best CEO of the 20th century, but two recent books examine his effectiveness as a leader. James Heskett ponders his early interactions with Welch and his complex legacy. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Inclusive Leadership Advice: Get Comfortable With the Uncomfortable

by Francesca Gino

People tend to seek sameness, but they can teach themselves to relish in the differences of the human experience. Francesca Gino offers these three principles from improv to anyone who's trying to lead more inclusively.

Gen Xers and Millennials, It’s Time To Lead. Are You Ready?

by Lane Lambert

Generation X and Millennials—eagerly waiting to succeed Baby Boom leaders—have the opportunity to bring more collaboration and purpose to business. In the book True North: Emerging Leader Edition, Bill George offers advice for the next wave of CEOs.

Effective Leaders Share the Spotlight with Their Teams

by Pamela Reynolds

Many executives make decisions alone and take credit for every win. Research by Yuan Zou and Ethan Rouen shows how leaders—and their companies—directly benefit when they engage and elevate colleagues. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Want to Build Better Leaders? Focus on Mindset, Skills, Knowledge

by Hise Gibson and Shawnette Rochelle

Too many companies fail to see the potential of their best middle managers—and lose them to other firms. Hise Gibson and Shawnette Rochelle offer a framework for helping these promising leaders grow. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Team Success Starts with the Individual—and with Love

by Ranjay Gulati

Many leaders see teams as collective units, but helping individual members reach their potential—personally and professionally—can open new opportunities. Ranjay Gulati looks at the philosophy of famed football coach Pete Carroll. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Steve Jobs and the Rise of the Celebrity CEO

by Dina Gerdeman

A new book by Richard Tedlow digs into the careers of Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Oprah Winfrey to understand how CEOs went from nameless suits to acclaimed gurus. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

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; 0 Comments.

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; 0 Comments.

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; 0 Comments.

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.

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; 0 Comments.