unSILOed with Greg LaBlanc

Nicolai J. Foss, a strategy professor at Copenhagen Business School and co-author of "Why Managers Matter: The Perils of the Bossless Company," challenges the idea of bossless firms. He argues that while trendy, these structures often rely on exceptional founders and are unsuitable for many organizations. Foss discusses the essential roles of managers in coordination and crisis management, debunks myths around anti-hierarchy sentiments, and stresses that while bossless models are appealing, they carry real risks in execution.

Fredrik deBoer, a writer and educator known for his critiques on identity politics and class-first left politics, dives deep into the evolution of the American political left. He argues that identity politics distracts from pressing economic issues, weakening potential coalitions. Social media's impact on political engagement is pivotal, where performance often eclipses pragmatism. DeBoer highlights the shift from grassroots movements to nonprofit dominance, advocating for a return to class-first strategies as a way to unite diverse groups for genuine social justice.

Sangeet Paul Choudary, a senior fellow at UC Berkeley and co-author of Platform Revolution, dives deep into AI's transformative potential for businesses. He explains how AI's shifting power dynamics extend beyond mere task automation to redefine corporate strategies and industry structures. Topics include the modularization of workflows, the impact of AI on jobs, and the emerging control points in the economy. Sangeet emphasizes the need for companies to rethink their approach, treating AI as an engine for innovation rather than just a tool for efficiency.

Samuel Arbesman, a scientist at Lux Capital and author of The Magic of Code, dives into the enchanting intersection of technology and humanities. He discusses how programming languages shape our understanding of the world and the importance of balancing fear and wonder in technology. Arbesman explores the rapid evolution of coding, the democratization of software creation, and the need for adaptive learning in a fast-paced world. Plus, he shares insights on how facts change over time and the necessity for curiosity in our constantly changing knowledge landscape.

Walter Scheidel, a Stanford humanities professor and author of acclaimed books, advocates for a transformation in the study of ancient history. He discusses the need to dismantle departmental silos to better understand inequality's roots. Walter argues that historical crises like wars and plagues have played crucial roles in driving societal change. He emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and rethinks the place of the Classics in modern scholarship, ultimately proposing the idea of 'foundational history' to explore shared human challenges.

Georgios Varouxakis, a prominent Professor of Political Thought at Queen Mary University, dives deep into the evolving concept of 'the West.' He debunks myths about its origins and explains how it became a political idea in the 19th century. Varouxakis reflects on Western exclusion, the perception of Russia as a threat, and the roles of lesser-known figures in shaping Western identity. He argues for the West's openness and critiques its self-identity, emphasizing internal criticism as a strength while navigating the complexities of modern geopolitics and cultural alliances.

Darrin M. McMahon, a history professor at Dartmouth College and author of notable works on happiness, genius, and equality, dives deep into the interplay of these concepts through time. He explores whether genius and happiness are innate or cultivated, linking ancient philosophies to modern understanding. Their fascinating discussion also touches on the evolution of equality, the impact of religious traditions, and the role of historical context in contemporary thought. McMahon argues for an empathetic approach to history, emphasizing its relevance in today's social sciences.

Alexandre Lefebvre, a politics and philosophy professor at the University of Sydney and author of Liberalism as a Way of Life, challenges the notion that liberalism lacks a vision of ‘the good life.’ He argues that it's deeply woven into modern society, affecting our beliefs and institutions. The discussion includes John Rawls's philosophical insights as tools for personal development and ethical living. Lefebvre also emphasizes the importance of embodying liberal principles and addresses the evolving challenges faced by liberalism in today's diverse world.

Scott D. Anthony, a professor at the Tuck School of Business and author of Epic Disruptions, shares his insights on innovation and disruption theory. He emphasizes the need to modernize disruption models, highlighting the role of ecosystems and mental frameworks in navigating uncertainty. Scott discusses historical cases like the iPhone and Tesla, exploring how emergent strategies and organizational culture affect disruption outcomes. He underscores that innovation is 'predictably unpredictable' and advocates for educating future business leaders to adapt to these complexities.

David Zweig, a journalist and author, dives into the contentious school closure policies during the pandemic. He critiques how political pressures and media narratives skewed public health decisions, often sidelining empirical evidence. Zweig shares insights from his book, illustrating the extensive impact of these policies on children’s education and mental health. He discusses the gap between expert recommendations and actual decision-making, advocating for a reassessment of past choices to better inform future public health strategies.