HBR IdeaCast

In this insightful conversation, Andy Palmer, a former Nissan executive, shares his firsthand experience under the leadership of Carlos Ghosn. He reflects on the excitement of Ghosn's initial success and subsequent decline. Topics include Ghosn's controversial compensation and its clash with Japanese corporate culture, as well as the challenges of balancing dual CEO roles at Renault and Nissan. Palmer also discusses the intricate power dynamics and cultural resistance Ghosn faced in steering both companies through turbulent times.

Elsbeth Johnson, a senior lecturer at MIT and founder of System Shift, teams up with Rana Mitter, an Oxford history professor, to unravel misconceptions about China. They emphasize that democracy and free markets aren't solely linked and that understanding China's unique political landscape is crucial for global business leaders. Their insights reveal how deep historical roots shape current decisions and how China's consumer economy is transforming rapidly. By encouraging cultural immersion, they advocate for a more nuanced approach to engaging with this complex market.

The dramatic rise and fall of Carlos Ghosn unfolds, captivating listeners with his transformation from celebrated CEO to fugitive. Learn how cultural divides and intense press scrutiny shaped his journey. The podcast delves into Ghosn's strategic turnaround efforts at Nissan and Renault, while examining the complexities of cross-cultural leadership. Thought-provoking insights about corporate power dynamics and the influence of technology on future business resilience are also discussed, highlighting lessons we can learn from Ghosn's controversial saga.

Martin Reeves, managing director at Boston Consulting Group’s Henderson Institute and co-author of "The Imagination Machine," discusses the vital role of imagination in corporate success. He reveals how imagination, often overlooked in business, can be cultivated through structured practices. Reeves shares strategies for leaders to foster creativity, using examples like Lego's transformation through playful innovation. He emphasizes a systematic approach, offering a six-step framework to inspire imaginative thinking and drive growth in organizations.

Ursula Burns, former CEO of Xerox and the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, shares her transformative journey from humble beginnings to corporate leadership. She discusses the necessity of promoting economic and racial equality within organizations, weaving in experiences from her memoir. Burns emphasizes the importance of authenticity in leadership, reflects on her challenges as a Black woman in a predominantly white corporate landscape, and advocates for systemic changes in corporate pay structures.

Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel laureate and emeritus professor at Princeton, teams up with Olivier Sibony, a strategy professor at HEC Paris, to explore the intriguing concept of 'noise' in decision-making. They explain how noise, distinct from bias, leads to inconsistent judgments even from the same individuals under similar circumstances. The duo shares strategies for combating noise, emphasizing the importance of structured decision-making processes and independent evaluations to improve organizational outcomes. Dive into their insights for enhancing decision integrity!

Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23andMe, is a visionary in DNA testing and personalized medicine. She discusses the challenges of leading a groundbreaking company at the intersection of science and consumer trust. Wojcicki highlights the importance of transparency in data privacy, enabling informed choices. She also shares insights on the role of genetic research during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing intriguing findings about blood type O. Lastly, she reflects on the competitive landscape of genetic testing and the potential of direct-to-consumer healthcare in improving personal health decisions.

Jenny Lefcourt, a partner at Freestyle VC and cofounder of All Raise, sheds light on the stark reality of gender disparities in venture capital funding. She discusses unconscious biases and historical dynamics that hinder women's access to capital and decision-making roles. Lefcourt highlights successful mandates for gender equality, particularly from Nordic countries, and emphasizes the need for diverse networks to support female entrepreneurs. She also analyzes the pandemic's negative impact on funding for women-led startups and calls for a shift toward inclusive leadership in the industry.

Ajay Banga, the former CEO and current executive chairman of Mastercard, is celebrated for his innovative approach to financial inclusion. He discusses the challenges faced by 2 billion unbanked individuals and how technology can bridge that gap. Banga shares insights on creating a supportive corporate culture and the importance of diversity in talent management. He emphasizes that corporate responsibility is evolving, advocating for accountability and measurable progress. Additionally, he highlights the urgent need for robust cybersecurity in today’s digital landscape.

Leslie John, an associate professor at Harvard Business School, shares her expertise on effective self-promotion strategies. She explains how to tout accomplishments without annoying colleagues and debunks the ineffectiveness of humblebragging. John emphasizes the importance of timing and enlisting allies to boost your profile while maintaining authenticity. She discusses balancing personal achievements with team recognition and addresses the impact of gender and race on self-advocacy, offering practical tips for navigating diverse workplace cultures.