In Good Company with Nicolai Tangen

Geoffrey Garrett: Modern Leadership, Business Education and Perspectives on Global Economy

May 7, 2025

Geoffrey Garrett, Dean of USC Marshall School of Business, shares his insights on modern leadership in this engaging conversation. He emphasizes the importance of being 'human' rather than 'heroic,' advocating for a blend of technical and emotional intelligence. Discussing the need for curiosity and flexibility, he highlights how avoiding micromanagement empowers teams. Garrett also touches on the evolving role of business education, stressing practical experience and ethical considerations as essential to developing future leaders.

43:57

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Geoffrey Garrett

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Quick takeaways

Effective leadership today prioritizes authenticity and emotional intelligence, moving from a heroic to a more human approach.

Curiosity and contextual awareness are essential traits for leaders to successfully navigate complex and rapidly changing environments.

Deep dives

The Evolving Nature of Leadership

Effective leadership today requires a shift from viewing leaders as heroes to seeing them as human. This perspective change emphasizes the importance of authenticity, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence in leaders. Rather than strictly adhering to traditional business management techniques, leadership education must be experiential, enabling individuals to learn about themselves and how they relate to others before assuming roles in organizations. Therefore, personal growth and relational skills are fundamental components of modern leadership that must be cultivated within business schools.

Intro

2min

Redefining Business Education and Leadership

18min

Leadership Essentials: Vision and Balance

9min

Bridging Academia and Industry

8min

Revolutionizing Transportation: The Rise of Electric Vehicles

5min

Embracing Curiosity and Opportunity in Leadership

2min

What does it take to be a great leader in today's complex world? In this episode, Nicolai Tangen talks with Geoffrey Garrett, Dean of USC Marshall School of Business, about modern leadership principles. They discuss the importance of being "human" rather than "heroic" as a leader, balancing technical skills with people skills, and the value of curiosity in complex environments. Geoffrey explains why avoiding micromanagement helps develop stronger teams and why leaders should strive to be both humble and confident. Tune in for valuable insights on effective leadership!

In Good Company is hosted by Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management. New full episodes every Wednesday, and don't miss our Highlight episodes every Friday.

The production team for this episode includes Isabelle Karlsson and PLAN-B's Niklas Figenschau Johansen, Sebastian Langvik-Hansen and Pål Huuse. Background research was conducted by Une Solheim and Kristian Haga.