HBR IdeaCast

Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever and advocate for sustainable business, discusses his journey towards redefining capitalism. He shares insights from his new book, emphasizing a multi-stakeholder approach that benefits society and the environment. Polman highlights the need for courageous leadership to drive systemic change in corporate practices while balancing profit with social responsibility. He also introduces his consultancy IMAGINE, aimed at fostering collaboration among executives to tackle pressing global challenges like climate change and inequality.

Dorie Clark, a consultant and executive educator at Duke University and Columbia Business School, discusses how to make strategic career decisions amidst crises. She emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking over short-term distractions, advocating for a balance between daily tasks and broader aspirations. Clark explores the complexities of post-pandemic career planning, the duality of side hustles, and the significance of embracing strategic patience to recognize small wins. Her insights encourage listeners to reclaim their autonomy and approach career choices with a flexible mindset.

Noubar Afeyan, cofounder of Moderna Therapeutics and CEO of Flagship Pioneering, shares insights into the innovative processes that led to the Covid-19 vaccine. He discusses the concept of 'emergent discovery,' emphasizing the importance of working back from future ideals and fostering unconventional ideas. Afeyan highlights how cultivating a supportive culture can transform daring thoughts into groundbreaking innovations. He also explores the integration of mRNA technology and AI, showcasing their potential to reshape various industries.

Mehran Sahami, a Stanford professor and former Google employee, shares insights on the urgent need for the tech industry to reset its priorities. He discusses how the optimization obsession has led to societal harms and the dangers of relying solely on metrics. Sahami advocates for regulatory changes and a shift in tech culture to prioritize ethics and societal well-being. He also highlights the importance of consumer empowerment in digital privacy and the necessity for fair profit distribution in tech to address rising inequality.

Carol Fishman Cohen, CEO of iRelaunch and expert on career transitions, discusses the increasing relevance of returnship programs, especially post-pandemic. She highlights how these initiatives help reintegrate professionals, particularly women, back into the workforce, addressing unique challenges faced after career breaks. Cohen shares best practices for organizations to implement these programs effectively and emphasizes their potential to enhance diversity and employee engagement, ultimately benefiting both companies and returning workers.

Johnny C. Taylor Jr., CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management and author of "Reset: A Leader's Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval," explains how the pandemic is a reset moment for talent management. He delves into the accelerated trends of hybrid work, contract employment, and the importance of diversity and inclusion. Taylor stresses the need for leaders to adjust workplace policies and embrace innovative recruiting strategies, while also addressing employee expectations in today’s evolving work environment.

Navigating the delicate balance of workplace communication is key when you need to decline extra tasks. Experts discuss how to say no without compromising relationships or career growth. They emphasize the importance of assessing your workload and mastering respectful communication, especially for managers. The conversation also highlights the need for personal boundaries to prevent burnout, including limiting after-hours communication, ultimately fostering a healthier work culture.

Eva Ascarza, an Associate Professor at Harvard Business School, focuses on customer analytics and the pitfalls of AI in marketing. She reveals that many companies misfire in leveraging AI due to neglecting to ask the right questions and improperly balancing the cost of mistakes. The conversation highlights the need for better alignment between AI insights and marketing strategies, underscoring the importance of clear communication between marketing and data science teams. Ultimately, Ascarza emphasizes the potential of AI to enhance decision-making when integrated thoughtfully into business processes.

Emily Esfahani Smith, author of "The Power of Meaning," explores how the pandemic has reshaped our relationships with work. She discusses the four pillars of meaning: belonging, purpose, storytelling, and transcendence, crucial for resilience in challenging times. Smith emphasizes the need to reevaluate career paths and suggests ways to find deeper significance in daily tasks. She also addresses the complexities of career transitions, advocating for alignment between personal values and professional goals to enhance job satisfaction.

Kyle Jensen, Associate Dean at the Yale School of Management, sheds light on the intriguing world of entrepreneurial deception. He discusses how founders often feel pressured to exaggerate their ventures, risking authenticity for the sake of success. Jensen shares fascinating examples of notorious misrepresentations, including the Theranos scandal, and emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of honesty in startups. He offers advice on balancing confidence with transparency, arguing that a truthful approach can ultimately benefit entrepreneurs and their investors.