INSEAD Knowledge Podcast

In a dynamic business environment, leaders often need to implement new strategic initiatives – from new business models to new technologies or workflows. But change is never easy. The success of new initiatives depends on whether leaders win the support of actors within the organisation.In other words, it is a matter of influence. In this podcast with Vibha Gaba, the Berghmans Lhoist Chaired Professor of Entrepreneurial Leadership at INSEAD, discusses the forces at play when leaders try to drive change. To build support for their strategic initiatives, leaders must understand how support and resistance spread within the organisation's networks.

Despite millions retiring annually, the topic remains taboo for many employers and employees. Every year, millions leave the workforce, yet discussions about this common rite of passage are often avoided.This INSEAD Knowledge podcast features Graham Ward, Adjunct Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Isabel Lebbe, Partner in the Investment Management practice of Arendt & Medernach, discussing the often-neglected issue of retirement.Drawing on years of research in this field, the pair highlight the significant impact that retirement can have on both individuals and the organisations they leave behind. They point out that retirement should not merely be seen an event but is, in fact, a complex process that requires careful consideration and planning from both sides. Ward and Lebbe argue that with an ageing population, changing demographics also mean firms need to stop viewing retirement as an end. Instead, they must view it as a valuable opportunity to maintain relationships and leverage the experience of retiring employees to ensure a positive experience for all involved. Read more: https://knowledge.insead.edu/career/talk-about-making-good-exit

Michael Y. Lee, an Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD, delves into the intricacies of dismantling hierarchies in modern organizations. He discusses the shift towards decentralized team structures and the challenges that accompany this transition, particularly in knowledge-based sectors. Lee highlights psychological barriers to self-management and the importance of flexibility in role assignments. He also emphasizes the ongoing journey of organizational change, advocating for adaptability to prevent a return to traditional hierarchies.

Manfred Kets de Vries, a leading authority on leadership and organizational change, shares insightful perspectives on the power of storytelling. He discusses how compelling narratives can drive transformation, not just for others but for leaders themselves. The conversation touches on the importance of empathy and authenticity in leadership, the psychological impact of storytelling on employee engagement, and strategies for enhancing self-awareness in leaders. Kets de Vries emphasizes that effective storytelling is crucial for fostering deeper relationships and creating a safe organizational culture.

Horacio Falcão, Roderick Swaab, and Eric Luis Uhlmann, co-founders of INSEAD’s Negotiation and Conflict Management Collaborative, explore the growing importance of negotiation in an increasingly polarized world. They discuss how effective negotiation can transform conflicts into collaborative opportunities and highlight the need for sustainable strategies that expand a negotiation's value. Their insights extend to empowering marginalized groups and utilizing negotiation training to address global issues like poverty and inequality, fostering a more humane society one dialogue at a time.

Today’s uncertain and disrupted world has had a major impact on how firms do business. It has led to a gradual strategic shift from the era of “bigger is better” and a narrow fixation on increased sales growth to a more nuanced, broader vision of corporate value growth.In this podcast, Jean-Claude Larreche, an Emeritus Professor of Marketing and the Alfred H. Heineken Chaired Professor of Marketing, Emeritus, builds on the themes of his new book Value Capture Selling to explore this transformation further, examining the reasons behind the shift and what it specifically means for the role of salespeople within firms.

The concept of coaching has been a hot topic in business circles for a number of years. It now almost seems a given that top executives employ the services of a coach to help them become better leaders and advance their careers. But the rise in popularity of coaching has also thrown up a number of questions: What really makes a good coach? What can and should you expect from your coach? How can you pick someone that’s right for you?  These are just some of the questions addressed in this new podcast featuring Derek Deasy and Enoch Li, co-directors of the INSEAD MBA Personal Leadership Development Programme. What’s clear is that a need for openness, engagement and a willingness to collaborate with your coach are all essential if the experience is really going to make an impact.Drawing on their years of experience, they explain why group coaching can be so effective. Better understanding the anxieties and interactions at play within a group can allow people the space to bring a more honest version of themselves to the team, which can benefit both individuals and organisations.

Finding meaning in your work isn't just about loving what you do. The reality is there are many ways to experience fulfillment, even in what might seem like a mundane job.In this episode, Winnie Jiang, an Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD, explains how financial security, connections with colleagues and even the satisfaction of doing a good job can all contribute to a sense of purpose. Jiang outlines how meaning can be grown and developed through “job crafting”. This can involve adjusting tasks, choosing to work with certain colleagues or changing how we view the overall meaning of our work. Importantly, she emphasises that while passion and purpose can be cultivated in almost any role, you ultimately have control over your experience. You can either change your perspective and approach to a situation, or, if necessary, remove yourself from it altogether.Jiang then explores the topic of career transitions. She examines why some people find it difficult to move to a new role, while others seem to switch occupations with ease. The key, she says, is to identify and recognise what gives your work meaning and how those elements might be transferable to new roles.By understanding your own "meaning perception", you can approach career changes with a more open mind and find fulfillment in unexpected places.Related reading:Your Dream Job May Not Exist, and That’s OkayThe Secret Ingredient For a Successful Career ChangeHow to Find Fulfilment by Taking a Step Down

The emergence of large language models (LLMs) is poised to transform many industries, from entertainment and health care to market analysis. Businesses that fail to explore the rich opportunities presented by language technologies may soon find themselves at a significant competitive disadvantage.We speak to Abhishek Borah, Associate Professor of Marketing at INSEAD, about his new book, Mine Your Language: Influence, Engage, Predict, which offers vital insights on how language can be monetised.With an engaging mix of anecdotes and research, Abhishek explains how the art of text mining can unlock critical insights from data, a far cry from the expensive and often biased consumer marketing surveys.

Learn about the impact of mindset on networking, with a focus on the growth vs. fixed mindset. Discover the importance of motivation and relationship maintenance in building successful professional networks. Gain insights on how a growth mindset can help individuals embrace diversity in the modern workplace.