WorkLab

Havard's Raffaella Sadun on why it's so hard to become a Frontier Firm

Nov 19, 2025
Raffaella Sadun, Charles E. Wilson Professor at Harvard Business School, dives into the challenges of transforming into a Frontier Firm. She discusses the necessity for cultures built around experimentation and collaboration between humans and AI. Sadun emphasizes that there’s no universal playbook for AI strategy; it must be tailored to each organization's culture. She shares insights on effective reskilling techniques, the evolving role of leaders, and how employees can become innovators in their firms.
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INSIGHT

AI Unlocks Tacit Knowledge

  • AI's promise lies in making tacit expert knowledge accessible and usable across organizations.
  • This could be revolutionary but requires firm-specific integration to realize productivity gains.
ADVICE

Start With Strategic Clarity

  • Define your firm's core value and strategic boundaries before you experiment with AI.
  • Use that clarity to evaluate which experiments advance your product, service, or cost goals.
ADVICE

Secure Broad Organizational Buy-In

  • Build organizational buy-in by addressing winners and those who fear replacement early.
  • Prioritize adoption across the firm so innovations don't stay isolated in labs.
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