HBR On Leadership

Suzanne Peterson, an associate professor of leadership at Thunderbird School of Global Management, shares insights on making leadership potential more visible. She emphasizes the importance of small behavior changes in everyday interactions to enhance professional reputation. Discussing power versus attractive leadership traits, she reveals how context influences perceived authority. Peterson also provides strategies for underrepresented leaders to balance warmth and competence, and explores the impact of virtual settings on leadership perception. Her practical advice transforms vague feedback into actionable steps.

Melanie Parish, a leadership coach and author of "The Experimental Leader," shares her insights on managing difficult team dynamics. She highlights how leaders often overlook their own behaviors impacting team morale and performance. Parish suggests practical strategies for improving collaboration and resolving conflicts, especially in diverse teams. Listeners learn the importance of treating suggestions as experiments and fostering an inclusive atmosphere during organizational changes. Tune in for actionable advice on enhancing your team's effectiveness!

In this insightful discussion, Nashater Deu Solheim, a forensic psychologist and leadership coach, delves into the art of influence at work. She shares techniques to engage effectively with peers, clients, and superiors, even in virtual environments. Solheim introduces her ABC framework—advanced preparation, body language, and conversation—to help listeners enhance their impact. The conversation also emphasizes the power of empathy and trust, highlighting the importance of active listening and understanding others' motivations for successful collaboration.

When a star employee leaves, it can hit hard emotionally for managers. Leaders share personal experiences of resignations, exploring the challenges of maintaining morale and managing feelings of guilt and anxiety. The discussion emphasizes the importance of empathy and open communication while navigating transitions. Strategies for maintaining authentic connections in a virtual space are highlighted, along with the need for proactive discussions with teams about departures. It's a candid look at managing emotions and fostering resilience in the workplace.

Lisa Rosh, assistant professor at Yeshiva University and co-author of 'Be Yourself But Carefully,' discusses the delicate art of self-disclosure in leadership. She highlights how sharing personal information can enhance trust within teams, while warning against oversharing for approval. Rosh underscores the importance of timing, substance, and cultural sensitivity when revealing personal stories. Through compelling case studies, she demonstrates how thoughtful self-disclosure can transform team dynamics and facilitate collaboration, paving the way for effective leadership.

Amy Gallo, a workplace conflict expert and HBR contributing editor, shares insightful strategies to manage emotions during workplace arguments. She discusses how to recognize when you’re in fight-or-flight mode and emphasizes the importance of emotional labeling and mindfulness. Gallo provides actionable techniques, like focusing on breath to regain composure and the value of taking breaks when emotions run high. Her expertise offers listeners practical tools to navigate tough conversations with greater ease and emotional intelligence.

Nancy Koehn, a Harvard Business School professor and historian, shares insights on the legendary leadership of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton. She discusses how Shackleton's empathy and team-building skills were vital during his crew's two-year struggle for survival in Antarctica. Koehn highlights important lessons on crisis management and the power of personal connections in leadership. Listeners will learn how Shackleton’s experiences can inform contemporary leadership tactics, stressing resilience and adaptability in dire situations.

Joe Badaracco, a Harvard Business School professor and author of "Managing in the Gray," shares his insights on making tough managerial decisions, especially when personal relationships complicate professional judgments. He emphasizes the importance of gathering diverse perspectives and considering the consequences of actions. Badaracco discusses the challenge of honest performance evaluations when personal ties are involved, and highlights the balance between transparency and emotional intelligence in leadership.

Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg, an expert in innovation and author of "What's Your Problem?" dives deep into the art of reframing problems for better solutions. He emphasizes that understanding the dilemma is crucial before jumping to fixes. Topics explore how hasty solutions can obscure true issues, using practical examples like a slow elevator. The discussion highlights the importance of questioning techniques and experimentation, revealing that recognizing underlying problems can lead to innovative solutions in both personal and professional contexts.

In this discussion, Nitin Nohria, a Harvard Business School professor and expert in human motivation, tackles a provocative dilemma: Should top performers who mistreat colleagues be promoted? He draws on the classic case study of Rob Parson at Morgan Stanley to illustrate the balancing act of performance versus company values. Nohria emphasizes the critical need for managerial accountability and explores how leadership shapes workplace culture. By examining various perspectives, he guides listeners in navigating these tricky decisions.