HBR IdeaCast Purpose-Driven Leadership in an Era of Polarization
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Nov 25, 2025 
Darren Walker, the outgoing president of the Ford Foundation, shares insights from his rise from humble beginnings to leading a major philanthropic organization. He emphasizes the importance of empathy, authenticity, and service in leadership. Walker discusses the challenges of navigating cultural polarization and stakeholder pressures, urging leaders to embrace discomfort and commit to fairness. He also highlights the role of philanthropy in addressing inequality and the need for principled leadership in an era of transformation.
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Empathy Is Core To Modern Leadership
- Leaders today must combine empathy and relatability to help people make sense of rapid disruption.
- The modern leader's role includes mobilizing, inspiring, and providing context, not just issuing orders.
Problems Get Solved In The Gray
- The past five years created a whipsaw from openness on race to a climate of fear and silence about it.
- Meaningful problem solving lives in the gray areas between extremes where people can come together.
Prioritize Authenticity Over Performance
- Ask whether your commitment to fairness is authentic before speaking on social issues.
- Be comfortable being uncomfortable and lead with authenticity rather than performative statements.