HBR On Leadership

Explore how design thinking acts as a catalyst for creativity in organizations. Jeanne Liedtka discusses overcoming biases and fears that stifle innovation. She outlines essential elements for successful innovation, emphasizing clear processes for both novice and experienced leaders. Discover practical activities like immersion and gallery walks that turn data into actionable insights. Hear real-world examples demonstrating how prototyping and collaborative design foster commitment and shape positive experiences for users and teams alike.

Rosabeth Moss Kanter, a Harvard Business School professor and author of Think Outside the Building, argues for a new breed of business leader—one who tackles societal issues like climate change and social inequality. She shares compelling examples of companies like CVS transforming health and the importance of coalition-building. Kanter emphasizes that individual employees can drive change through small innovations and experimentation. With curiosity and a commitment to purpose, advanced leaders are crucial for creating impactful, lasting change in our world.

Oliver Hart, a Nobel Prize-winning economist from Harvard, and Kate Vitasek, a University of Tennessee expert in relational contracting, dive into the nuances of modern business contracts. They discuss why traditional contracts often fail, highlighting the impact of behavioral factors on fairness in agreements. The duo advocates for relational contracts that foster collaboration, emphasizing the need for a shared vision and guiding social norms. Their insights reveal how flexibility can strengthen partnerships, reduce disputes, and even cut costs, as seen in successful collaborations like Dell and FedEx.

Leading a team through constant strategy shifts can be daunting. A leader grapples with motivation amidst unclear directives from upper management. The discussion highlights the significance of prioritizing tasks and establishing a clear focus for the team. Tactics for maintaining discipline and celebrating small wins are emphasized. The importance of clarifying long-term goals and fostering individual motivations emerges as key strategies. The conversation encourages leaders to assert temporary directions while remaining adaptable to changes.

Stefan Thomke, a Harvard Business School professor and author of *Experimentation Works*, shares insights on the power of business experimentation. He highlights how experiments can reveal value often missed through intuition. Thomke discusses barriers to experimentation, the importance of a supportive culture, and practical strategies for integrating tests into decision-making. He also illustrates successful cases like Kohl's and Booking.com, emphasizing the balance between risk management and learning from failures. Overall, he underscores that an experimental mindset can be a game changer for organizations.

Jennifer Riel, an adjunct professor at the Rotman School of Management and co-author of Creating Great Choices, shares insights on integrative thinking in decision-making. She dives into how Lego initially struggled with balancing brand protection and creative talent for their movies. Riel argues for seeking innovative solutions rather than simple compromises, highlighting the importance of audience engagement and the value of exploring opposing models deeply. Her framework encourages leaders to clarify problems, embrace tension in ideas, and prototype solutions effectively.

Leslie K. John and Alison Wood Brooks, both professors at Harvard Business School, explore how asking the right questions can transform leadership. They discuss the difference between open-ended and closed questions, and how effective questioning enhances communication and fosters stronger relationships. The conversation dives into mastering difficult inquiries and the necessity of active listening for meaningful dialogues. They emphasize that strategic questioning not only sharpens understanding but also cultivates trust and collaboration among team members.

Ellen Zane, the former CEO of Tufts Medical Center and director of the Women on Boards program at Harvard School of Public Health, shares her insights into board membership. She highlights the personal and professional growth opportunities that arise from serving on boards. Eight women also share transformative experiences, emphasizing networking and inclusivity. The discussion includes navigating board dynamics, effective communication strategies, and the importance of mentorship. Ellen encourages listeners to consider board service as a path to empowerment and community impact.

Dorie Clark, a marketing strategy consultant and author known for her expertise in personal branding, joins the discussion to share insights on redefining workplace perceptions. She emphasizes the importance of intentional rebranding and provides actionable strategies to shift how colleagues view you. Topics include enhancing leadership presence through proactive engagement, the balance between specialist and generalist roles, and overcoming biases to advance career ambitions. Dorie highlights that impactful changes can take time, urging listeners to be patient and persistent in their personal and professional transformations.

Mark Mortenzen, an organizational behavior professor at INSEAD and co-author of 'The Overcommitted Organization,' dives into the world of multiteaming. He explores how employees juggling multiple projects can benefit organizations, yet face significant stress. Key discussions include challenges in assessing team workloads, the risk of burnout, and the essential need for transparency in team dynamics. Mortenzen emphasizes the importance of balancing flexibility with structured teamwork to maximize collaboration and minimize inefficiencies.