HBR On Leadership

Deborah Ancona, a professor at MIT Sloan and founder of the MIT Leadership Center, teams up with research fellow Kate Isaacs to dissect innovative leadership in large organizations. They reveal how companies can thrive with an entrepreneurial, enabling, and architecting leadership mix. The discussion illuminates the essential role of corporate culture in empowering employees and fostering creativity. They also emphasize transitioning from traditional hierarchies to agile models, ensuring strategies resonate with every team member for peak innovation.

Hubert Joly, former CEO of Best Buy and a Harvard Business School senior lecturer, shares insights on how businesses can navigate societal issues. He discusses his experience leading Best Buy during the unrest following George Floyd's murder. The conversation highlights the importance of collaborative decision-making and the evolving role of CEOs in corporate social responsibility. Joly also contrasts traditional profit-driven leadership with today's expectation for ethical engagement in social movements, drawing lessons from companies like Nike and Starbucks.

In this engaging discussion, Kate Tyler, a Development Manager at Shell with expertise in employee engagement, teams up with Rachel Spivey, the Director of Google's Stay and Thrive team, focusing on talent retention among underrepresented groups. They tackle the critical question of how to keep your best employees from leaving. Key insights include the importance of personalized career development, open communication about motivations, and recognizing employee contributions to foster a more engaged workplace.

Joel Peterson, former chairman of JetBlue Airways and a Stanford management professor, shares his rich insights into effective hiring and firing strategies. He emphasizes the importance of thorough interviews for leadership roles and the necessity of personalized coaching for struggling employees. Peterson advocates for addressing performance issues early and highlights why leaders should personally handle terminations. Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on maintaining accountability and trust while navigating the emotional challenges of difficult conversations.

Amy Gallo, a workplace conflict expert and contributing editor at HBR, shares invaluable insights on effective communication. She emphasizes that being heard comes down to strategic messaging rather than volume. Gallo provides research-backed tips on mastering emotional communication, including the 'CENTER' acronym to enhance nonverbal cues. She discusses the importance of body language and suggests ways to navigate communication dynamics, ensuring all voices are valued in leadership conversations.

Mark Roberge, a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School and former SVP at HubSpot, shares invaluable insights into the often-overlooked realm of sales for startup founders. He emphasizes that every facet of entrepreneurship hinges on effective sales strategies. Roberge discusses hiring the right sales personnel, crafting strategic compensation plans, and understanding product-market fit. He also highlights the transformative impact of AI on the sales landscape, urging founders to develop relationship-driven approaches to thrive in competitive markets.

Ellen Van Oosten, a professor at the Weatherhead School of Management and co-author of "Helping People Change," shares her insights for aspiring managers. She provides practical advice for those hesitant to accept managerial roles and strategies for navigating workplace barriers, including supervisor resistance. Van Oosten emphasizes the importance of self-assessment, communication, and networking, especially for individuals facing career transitions later in life. Listeners will find actionable tips for developing leadership skills and leveraging their unique experiences.

Join former Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker, now NCAA president, and his former chief of staff, Steve Kadish, in a riveting discussion on the complexities of public sector leadership. They explore the challenges of navigating decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and realistic frameworks. With insights on effective governance and community engagement, they reveal how personal experiences and data can enhance problem-solving and rebuild trust in public initiatives.

Astro Teller, the Captain of Moonshots at X, Alphabet's R&D engine, discusses the art of managing breakthrough innovation. He shares his approach to decision-making in uncharted territories and offers insights on selecting impactful projects that also drive sustainable business. Teller emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset and humility in fostering creativity within teams. He also explores the transformative potential of generative AI, likening its advancements to the historical significance of electricity, and how it can address global challenges.

Hamdi Ulukaya, the visionary founder and CEO of Chobani, shares his journey from an abandoned yogurt factory to a powerhouse in the dairy industry. He discusses the significance of mission-driven entrepreneurship while prioritizing employee welfare. The conversation covers the challenges of scaling a business without losing core values and the importance of community support in overcoming hurdles. Ulukaya also delves into the cultural roots of yogurt, highlighting the rich traditions of both Greek and Turkish varieties.