HBR IdeaCast

Navigating technology in leadership is more complex than ever. Discover how generative AI can revolutionize your organization. Explore best practices for utilizing collaboration tools effectively. Learn about the implications of spatial computing for your team. Plus, delve into the future of digital marketing without third-party cookies. Expert insights and practical advice will help you adapt and excel in a tech-driven environment.

Boris Groysberg, a Harvard Business School professor, and Robin Abrahams, a research associate, tackle the rising issue of worker disengagement. They introduce a four-part process—detachment, empathy, action, and reframing—to help regain motivation. Listeners will learn practical tips like thinking in the third person and engaging in small tasks for a sense of accomplishment. Lastly, they discuss the importance of hobbies and job assessments in revitalizing workplace passion and personal fulfillment.

In this engaging discussion, Arnaud Chevallier, a strategy professor at IMD Business School and co-author of an influential article on questioning, shares insights on how leaders can enhance decision-making by asking the right questions. He categorizes questions into five types—investigative, speculative, productive, interpretive, and subjective—to target various strategic challenges. Real-world examples illustrate how these questions can unlock organizational value. Chevallier emphasizes the need for creating safe environments for dialogue and tailoring questions to foster collaboration.

In this enlightening discussion, Bill Aulet, a Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan and author of 'Disciplined Entrepreneurship,' shares invaluable insights for aspiring founders. He highlights the growing trend of purpose-driven entrepreneurship and the importance of ethical practices. Aulet emphasizes the role of technology and collaboration in enhancing efficiency, while also addressing the global impact of disciplined entrepreneurship. He offers concrete steps for launch success, making it clear that today's entrepreneurs can align their ventures with meaningful societal goals.

In this episode, Laura Mae Martin, Google's Executive Productivity Advisor and author of 'Uptime,' shares invaluable insights into maximizing productivity. She discusses redefining productivity by finding balance and avoiding burnout. Laura introduces her innovative approach to calendar management and emphasizes the importance of inbox zero by likening email sorting to doing laundry. With tips on decision-making and setting boundaries, she reveals how small changes can lead to significant improvements in work-life balance and efficiency.

Sophie Williams, a former C-suite executive at Netflix and author of "The Glass Cliff," explores the persistent challenges women face in leadership roles during crises. She explains how the glass cliff phenomenon often sets women up for failure when they break through the glass ceiling. Williams discusses systematic biases and societal scrutiny that undermine their success, while advocating for stronger support systems and reframing narratives around female leadership. Her insights inspire actionable strategies for women navigating precarious leadership challenges.

Ken Dychtwald, Cofounder and CEO of Age Wave, dives into the overlooked potential of retirement-age workers. He emphasizes that the aging workforce is crucial in addressing global labor shortages, especially in healthcare. Dychtwald discusses why many older employees wish to continue working, driven by both financial needs and the desire for social interaction. He also shares innovative strategies for engagement, like phased retirements and mentorship programs, urging companies to value the experience and skills of older individuals to thrive in a changing job market.

In this engaging discussion, Anna Papalia, the author of "Interviewology: The New Science of Interviewing," shares her expertise from years of experience as a corporate recruiter. She categorizes interview styles into four types: charmer, examiner, challenger, and harmonizer, detailing the strengths and weaknesses of each. Papalia emphasizes the importance of authenticity during interviews and how understanding these styles can improve communication. Her insights challenge conventional wisdom, advocating for self-awareness to create better outcomes for both candidates and interviewers.

William Ury, co-founder of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation and co-author of 'Getting to Yes,' shares transformative insights on negotiation. He emphasizes that the biggest hurdle is often oneself rather than the opponent. Ury challenges the negative view of conflict, advocating for its potential in growth. He introduces the philosophy of possibility, urging creative thinking. Practical techniques like the 'five why' exercise and empathetic questioning are highlighted to enhance negotiations, making it clear that refining these skills is vital in today's conflict-active world.

Gary Pisano, a Harvard Business School professor and expert in growth strategy, explores the pitfalls of the 'growth at all costs' mindset. He reveals that many firms fail to achieve sustainable long-term profitability and stresses the importance of a balanced approach to growth. Pisano highlights how company culture impacts growth in the food industry, showcases successful strategies for sustainable development, and emphasizes the need for realistic growth targets. With insightful examples, he advocates for a thoughtful examination of growth direction and method.