Leadership Development →
- 16 Jul 2024
- Op-Ed
Corporate Boards Are Failing in Their No. 1 Duty
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.
- 24 Jan 2024
- Op-Ed
Why Boeing’s Problems with the 737 MAX Began More Than 25 Years Ago
Aggressive cost cutting and rocky leadership changes have eroded the culture at Boeing, a company once admired for its engineering rigor, says Bill George. What will it take to repair the reputational damage wrought by years of crises involving its 737 MAX?
- 02 Jan 2024
- Research & Ideas
10 Trends to Watch in 2024
Employees may seek new approaches to balance, even as leaders consider whether to bring more teams back to offices or make hybrid work even more flexible. These are just a few trends that Harvard Business School faculty members will be following during a year when staffing, climate, and inclusion will likely remain top of mind.
- 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.
- 24 Oct 2023
- HBS Case
From P.T. Barnum to Mary Kay: Lessons From 5 Leaders Who Changed the World
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.
- 05 Jul 2023
- What Do You Think?
How Are Middle Managers Falling Down Most Often on Employee Inclusion?
Companies are struggling to retain employees from underrepresented groups, many of whom don't feel heard in the workplace. What do managers need to do to build truly inclusive teams? asks James Heskett. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 14 Jun 2023
- Op-Ed
Every Company Should Have These Leaders—or Develop Them if They Don't
Companies need T-shaped leaders, those who can share knowledge across the organization while focusing on their business units, but they should be a mix of visionaries and tacticians. Hise Gibson breaks down the nuances of each leader and how companies can cultivate this talent among their ranks.
- 31 May 2023
- HBS Case
From Prison Cell to Nike’s C-Suite: The Journey of Larry Miller
VIDEO: Before leading one of the world’s largest brands, Nike executive Larry Miller served time in prison for murder. In this interview, Miller shares how education helped him escape a life of crime and why employers should give the formerly incarcerated a second chance. Inspired by a Harvard Business School case study.
- 29 Sep 2022
- Op-Ed
Inclusive Leadership Advice: Get Comfortable With the Uncomfortable
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.
- 02 May 2022
- What Do You Think?
Can the Case Method Survive Another Hundred Years?
The case method pioneered by Harvard Business School has weathered a hundred years of controversy and criticism. However, is the approach the best way to teach people to lead in a world that demands more agility and adaptability? James Heskett asks. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 14 Mar 2022
- Research & Ideas
Lessons from COVID-19: The Business Skills Doctors Need
The pandemic forced many physicians to become supply chain experts and strategic planners. Robert Huckman and colleagues offer a roadmap for teaching doctors the management and leadership skills they need—before the next public health crisis. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 07 Dec 2021
- Op-Ed
Want to Build Better Leaders? Focus on Mindset, Skills, Knowledge
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.
- 26 Oct 2021
- Research & Ideas
What Companies Want Most in a CEO: A Good Listener
Financial expertise and operational experience will only take executives so far. More than ever, companies want senior leaders with strong social skills and emotional intelligence, says research by Raffaella Sadun and Joseph Fuller. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 01 Nov 2020
- Research & Ideas
Good Leadership Is an Act of Kindness
The pandemic has challenged managers as never before, but one powerful leadership strategy is being overlooked, say Boris Groysberg and Susan Seligson: Be kind. 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.
- 27 Jul 2020
- Book
Reflection: The Pause That Brings Peace and Productivity
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; 0 Comments.
- 04 Jun 2020
- Book
It’s Not About You: Why Leaders Need to Look Outward
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.
- 29 Apr 2020
- Book
The Key to Powerful Social Change: Small Villages
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; 0 Comments.
- 04 Feb 2020
- Cold Call Podcast
Why Backstage Capital Invests in ‘Underestimated’ Entrepreneurs
Laura Huang discusses VC Arlan Hamilton’s strategy of backing entrepreneurs who have been ignored because of stereotypes, biases, and preconceptions. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
Post-CrowdStrike, Six Questions to Test Your Company's Operational Resilience
Companies unprepared for disasters risk not only their competitive advantage but their very existence. Hise Gibson and Anita Lynch break down what a company needs to build its operational resilience, starting with its people, processes, and technology.