HBR IdeaCast

Dysfunctional Leadership Teams — and How to Fix Them

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

CEOs get a ton of credit or blame for a company’s performance. But the entire leadership team is vital to success, and any dysfunction is often over...

Lessons from a Turnaround Expert

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When a company, division, or product line has been struggling for some time, it can feel nearly impossible to get things back on track. But big turnar...

Is Your Company Reading Data the Wrong Way?

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We live in an age where we have more data than ever. But most leaders have two strong reactions to new data. Either they rely too heavily on studies o...

What to Do When You’re Overlooked

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you the sort of person who works really hard, hits your deadlines, runs successful projects, wins over clients... but never seems to get noticed f...

The Right Way to Manage Emotions on Your Team

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many managers don't know what to say when a team member appears angry, frustrated, or sad. They might even feel it is unprofessional to acknowledge th...

An Astronaut’s Advice on High-Stakes Collaboration

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's hard to imagine a more challenging work environment than the International Space Station. During her 24 years as a NASA astronaut, including a ...

Trying to Persuade and Other Big Mistakes Marketers Make

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many marketers today focus on getting consumers to consciously change their behavior. But that’s a sure path to failure, according to Leslie Zane, f...

Is People-Pleasing Holding You Back?

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's a fine line between pitching in to help your team and taking on too much at the expense of your mental health and performance. Author and coac...

Why We Should Pay More Attention to Departing CEOs

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When news breaks of a CEO succession, much of the attention is given to the new leader and how they will change the company. But new research shows th...

Darius Rucker on Resilience and Reinvention

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Darius Rucker has reached the top of the music charts in not just one but two genres: first as the lead singer of the 1990s band Hootie and th...

When Your Employee Is Underperforming

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many managers struggle with initiating difficult conversations around an individual’s subpar performance. Often, leaders wait way too long to sit do...

Why Managers Play Favorites – and How They Can Change

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While most good bosses try to be fair and balanced with their direct reports, it's only human to prefer the company and work styles of some team membe...

Tech at Work: The Future of Spatial Computing

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Managing technology has never been more challenging. HBR IdeaCast’s new special series, Tech at Work, offers research, stories, and advice to make t...

Yum! Brands’ Former CEO on Why You Should Never Stop Learning

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After 15 years leading the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, David Novak wanted to help others become better leaders. He believes the k...

Why You Need to Stress Test Your Strategies (and Tactics)

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While many teams and organizations engage in scenario planning, most don't go far enough. Arjan Singh, consultant and adjunct professor at Southern...

Tech at Work: How to Get the Most Out of Digital Collaboration Tools

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Managing technology has never been more challenging. HBR IdeaCast’s new special series, Tech at Work, offers research, stories, and advice to make t...

What Venture Capitalists Can Teach Companies About Decision-Making

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Venture capital firms notoriously embrace risk and take big swings, hoping that one startup will become a monster hit that pays for many other failed ...

How to Navigate Change at Any Career Stage

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Disruption and transformation at the new normal in nearly every industry. So how do you stay ahead of the curve?  Over the past four decades, Bonnie ...

Tech at Work: How the End of Cookies Will Transform Digital Marketing

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Managing technology has never been more challenging. HBR IdeaCast’s new special series, Tech at Work, offers research, stories, and advice to make t...

The Hidden Burden of Long Covid and What Companies Can Do

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Around 18 million adults in the U.S. alone suffer from long Covid, a chronic illness with a wide range of symptoms and severity. With approved therapi...

Behind the Boom in Celebrity Brands

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There was a time when consumer goods companies paid musicians, athletes, and actors for endorsements, or to license their name and likeness. But ...

Tech at Work: What GenAI Means for Companies Right Now

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Managing technology has never been more challenging. HBR IdeaCast’s new special series, Tech at Work, offers research, stories, and advice to make t...

How Bad Leaders Get Worse over Time

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's plenty of advice on how to grow into a better leader. And it takes effort to become more effective. But bad leadership gets worse almost effor...

Special Series: Tech at Work

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Managing technology has never been more challenging. HBR IdeaCast’s new special series, Tech at Work, offers research, stories, and advice to make t...

Feeling Unmotivated? Here’s How to Get Out of the Rut

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Worker disengagement is on the rise around the world. Even those of us who generally like our jobs sometimes find it hard to muster energy and focus. ...

Are You Asking the Right Questions?

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Few leaders have been trained to ask great questions. That might explain why they tend to be good at certain kinds of questions, and less effective at...

A Roadmap for Today’s Entrepreneurs

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many people aspire to entrepreneurship but we all know it's a high-risk endeavor. Bill Aulet, the Ethernet Inventors Professor of Entrepreneurship at ...

Treat Email Like Laundry — and Other Tips from Google’s Productivity Expert

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The amount of work we need to get done seems to grow daily. To avoid becoming overwhelmed, we have to become more productive than ever. Laura Mae Mart...

Why the Glass Cliff Persists

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's been nearly two decades since the term "glass cliff" was coined; it refers to the tendency for women to break through the glass ceiling to top ...

Why Leaders Need to Value Their Retirement-Age Workforce

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A growing number of workers are reaching retirement age around the globe. At the same time, many countries face a worker shortage, especially in criti...

What’s Your Interviewing Style?

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's a lot of advice out there on how to get job interviews right, whether you're the one trying to get hired or the one evaluating the candidates....

To Negotiate Better, Start with Yourself

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The coauthor of the classic book Getting to Yes has new advice on how to negotiate, designed for a world that feels more conflicted than ever. Willi...

Rethinking Growth at All Costs

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many companies, especially in the tech world, have come to embrace the idea of growth at all costs. But according to research from Gary Pisano, profes...

Companies Can Win by Reducing Overwork

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Organizations regularly reward devoted workers who put in long hours. At the same time, “always-on” communication spurred by the pandemic and new ...

When Should Companies Weigh in on Contentious Issues?

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In a globally connected and highly politicized world, organizations are increasingly expected to comment on social, political, and environmenta...

Stuck on a Problem? Try Switching Up Your Approach

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many leaders confidently go about tackling challenges. After all, relying on their experience got them to where they are. But taking the same approach...

How to Reduce the Friction that Hurts You — and Harness the Friction that Helps

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Organizations too often subject their employees and customers to unnecessary friction that creates inefficiency and causes frustration. But, in some s...

What the New Freelance Economy Means for Your Talent Strategy

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The rapid pace of technological change is making a big impact on hiring. Some organizations are dynamically securing freelance workers through platfor...

Making Peace with Your Midlife, Mid-career Self

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Research shows that happiness bottoms out for people in their mid to late 40s. We might struggle with mid-career slumps, caring for both children and ...

Supercharge Your One-on-One Meetings

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Most good bosses know that they should schedule regular one-on-ones with each of their team members. But fewer know exactly how to manage these meetin...

The Best Return-to-Office Policies Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A growing number of companies are mandating office time for employees and structuring hybrid work under broad, rigid rules. But pushing people into th...

Best of IdeaCast: Behaviors of Successful CEOs

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the qualities that top-performing CEOs have in common, research shows some surprising results. It turns out that charisma, confidence, and pedigre...

Why More Companies Are Getting in on the Resale Game

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For a long time, conventional wisdom ruled that companies should avoid reselling their own products in used condition. There’s the threat of canniba...

How Hybrid Work Is (And Isn’t) Reshaping Cities

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Economic activity has long been concentrated in big metropolitan areas. But has the rise of remote work technology -- and its accelerated adoption dur...

Setting AI Projects Up for Success

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Unfortunately, you can’t set up your organization’s artificial intelligence projects like just any other IT project. By their nature, AI endeavors...

New Here: Getting a Raise Is a Process, Not a Conversation

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Introducing HBR’s podcast for young professionals, New Here, hosted by Elainy Mata. Whether it’s your first job or a fresh start, New Here will he...

Fast Casual Food Pioneer Ron Shaich Explains How to Find a Niche — and then Scale

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The restaurant business is notoriously competitive and often propelled by passing fads. But, first at the helm of Au Bon Pain, and then as the ...

Why Private Equity Needs to Invest More in Talent Development

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Traditionally, private equity companies have created value at the companies they own by taking on debt, restructuring, and exploiting underserved oppo...

Nvidia’s CEO On What It Takes To Run An A.I.-Led Company Now

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The future of AI goes far beyond individuals using ChatGPT. Companies are now integrating artificial intelligence into all aspects of their businesses...

A High-Performance Coach on the Key to Achieving Your Full Potential

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What holds many people back from attaining the success they want - whether it's winning an Olympic medal or a seat in the C-suite - isn’t a lack of...

How Job Training Must Change in the AI Age

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence technology is creating, destroying, and changing jobs. And Harvard Business School professor Raffaella ...

Getting Feedback Right on Diverse Teams

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We know that teams mixing people of different generations, genders, and cultures yield better outcomes, and that frank, constructive feedback is key t...

Tools for Managers to Help Employees with Their Mental Health Challenges

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a reality that more employees are discussing their mental health in the workplace. And proactive leaders can serve their teams better by listen...

Reflecting on What Matters After a Terminal Cancer Diagnosis

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How does someone who's been told he will die much sooner than expected find contentment in the time he has left? As a former therapist, cofounder of ...

How to Solve Tough Problems Better and Faster

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to solving complicated problems, the default for many organizational leaders is to take their time to work through the issues at hand. U...

Improve Your Impromptu Speaking

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all know that leaders need to captivate audiences and effectively convey their ideas. But not every speaking opportunity can be prepared and practi...

How Companies Can Recommit to Their DEI Goals

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After the summer of 2020 in the United States, many organizations made a big push to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in their ranks and oper...

People with Disabilities Are an Untapped Talent Pool

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It is now accepted wisdom that increasing the diversity of your workforce in any dimension can improve both organizational culture and performanc...

If You Want Culture Change, Create New Stories

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many leaders realize they need to change their organization’s culture to save the business. But employees usually resist change and stick to past no...

Leading a Workforce Empowered by New AI Tools

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New AI technology enables anyone to become a programmer — opening doors to faster analytics and automation but also presenting big challenges. Org...

How One Ukrainian Company Cultivated Resiliency Amid War

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Companies plan for crises and aim to be resilient and adaptive in the face of all kinds of risks, but it’s always easier said than done. And perhaps...

How to Reinvent a Consumer Brand

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How does a brand or product that's been around for decades suddenly become popular with a whole new segment of consumers? Terence Reilly has some poin...

The VC Fund Closing Equity Gaps — and Making Money

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Much of the business world has bought into the idea of stakeholder capitalism. But Freada Kapor Klein and Mitch Kapor say that doing some good by doin...

How Companies Can Adapt to More Government Intervention

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After decades of industrial policy that favored globalization and free trade, we are entering a new era. Prompted by the pandemic, climate change, ris...

How One F-35 Fighter Pilot Makes Decisions Under Pressure

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are few jobs that demand decisive, clear thinking under pressure more than that of a fighter jet pilot. But the best combat pilots don't act on ...

In Defense of Middle Management

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Middle managers are meant to serve as a go-between for leadership teams and individual contributors. But in large organizations, with many layers of h...

What the Best Leaders Know — and What Skills They Develop

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you had the chance to talk to hundreds of business leaders at the top of their game, what habits and patterns would you learn? Adam Bryant has done...

Best of IdeaCast: Escape Your Comfort Zone

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We know that trying new things, taking risks, and even failing are vital to most success stories. But getting out of areas where you’re comfortable ...

Why Entrepreneurs Don’t Need Venture Capital to Scale

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With all the hype in the startup world around unicorns and hypergrowth, entrepreneurs feel enormous pressure to raise massive amounts of cash from ven...

NBA Star Chris Paul on Mentorship and Taking a Stand

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us can point to a few key people who have made a real difference in our lives and careers - a family member, a coach, a boss. And many who get...

When Small Stresses Lead to Big Problems

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's easy to see how big stresses at work or home -- like layoffs, illnesses, or even a complex and important project -- cause anxiety too spike. But ...

Why More Companies Should Have a Sabbatical Policy

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sabbaticals have long been thought of as an academic privilege, but a growing number of companies offer them, especially since the pandemic. DJ DiDonn...

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai on Leadership, AI, and Big Tech

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The use of artificial intelligence and specifically generative AI is growing rapidly, and tech giants like Google have an important role to play in ho...

How Generative AI Changes Strategy

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Strategy is about making the future happen, not just reacting to it, according to author Gary Hamel. And with generative artificial intelligence, seni...

Stop Looking for the Perfect Job

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the first things we learn about people is what they do for a living. But the link between work and identify has moved far beyond that, especial...

How Generative AI Changes Organizational Culture

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Read just about any business history and you realize just how much a firm’s success depends on its culture. Without the right culture, you can't hav...

Breaking Through When You Feel Stuck

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You don’t have to be a famous author to suffer from writer’s block. We all can get stuck in our thought processes and mired in our actions. That's...

How Generative AI Changes Creativity

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From prehistoric cave paintings to an inventor’s Eureka moment, creativity has always been described as a particularly human trait. But something st...

A Marketing Professor and a Matchmaker Talk Personal Branding

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Unless you're famous - or want to be - you might not think of yourself as a brand. But whether you're in a meeting or on social media, interviewing fo...

How Generative AI Changes Productivity

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How Generative AI Changes Everything is a special series from HBR IdeaCast. Each week, HBR editor in chief Adi Ignatius and HBR editor Amy Bernstein ...

Disruption Isn’t the Only Path to Innovation

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Disruptive innovation has proven such a powerful idea that many people now equate innovation with market disruption. But INSEAD strategy professor Ren...

Special Series: How Generative AI Changes Everything

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Generative AI seems to be everywhere right now, but what do you actually need to know? HBR IdeaCast is cutting through the noise in the special ser...

Reid Hoffman on Building AI and Other Tech More Responsibly

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As a founding board member of PayPal, cofounder of LinkedIn, and a partner at Silicon Valley VC firm Greylock, Reid Hoffman has long been at the foref...

Stop Neglecting Low-Wage Workers

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many people blame the shortage of low-wage workers on the enduring impact of the pandemic. But management professor Joseph Fuller and senior researche...

How Managing Your Anxiety Can Make You a Better Leader

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The business world has increasingly begun to recognize the importance of mental health, but we still have a long way to go in openly acknowledging our...

A Forensic Accountant on How Companies Can Avoid Fraud and Scandal

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From Theranos to Enron, we can't get enough of corporate scandals. We also can't get enough of the intriguing people who perpetrate them. But instigat...

X’s Astro Teller on Managing Moonshot Innovation

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you solve the world's toughest problems? Or find the next big thing in tech? Lots of organizations fail to explore and take big bets on new ide...

Brain Tech Is Getting Really Good. Here’s What Managers Need to Know

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What seemed like science fiction for decades is now a reality: companies are selling wearable tech and monitoring devices that can sense people’s br...

Why You (and Your Company) Need to Experiment with ChatGPT Now

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The online application ChatGPT and its integration into Microsoft search engines have put generative artificial intelligence technology in the hands o...

IBM’s Ginni Rometty on Skill-Building and Success

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For years, employers have used university degrees as a major requirement for hiring. But, for many jobs, success depends more on skills -- and the abi...

The Ins and Outs of the Influencer Industry

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Online influencers are an increasingly important way for companies to find new customers and drive sales. Whether you're a marketer who wants to more ...

Why Leaders Should Rethink Their Decision-Making Process

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many people believe that leaders instinctively make the best decisions based on past experience, almost like muscle memory. But Carol Kauffman, assist...

The Subtle Art of Disagreeing with Your Boss

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you're someone who enjoys ruffling feathers or the type of person who'd like to challenge the status quo but shies away, you'll benefit from u...

Why Many Companies Get Layoffs Wrong

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From Microsoft to Google to Meta, many of the world's biggest tech companies have been announcing layoffs recently. Their explanation is usually that ...

A Deeper Understanding of Creativity at Work

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all know that creativity is the backbone of innovation and, ultimately, business success. But we don't always think deeply about how creative peopl...

Guy Raz on What Great Business Leaders Have in Common

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

By hosting the podcasts How I Built This and Wisdom from the Top, Guy Raz has won an inside look at how visionary leaders build their own careers a...

Money, Flexibility, Development? Figuring Out What Employees Really Value

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Even in a slowing economy, the battle to attract and retain talent persists. But employers need to look beyond what people are currently demanding —...

Work Insights from the World’s Longest Happiness Study

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's the start of a fresh year, and optimism is in the air. But if you want happiness to extend far beyond your New Year's resolution, Robert Waldinge...

Best of IdeaCast 2022

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From incivility for frontline workers to struggles with hybrid work to actual progress made since the murder of George Floyd, HBR IdeaCast spent 202...

LinkedIn’s CEO on Hiring Strategies and the Skills That Matter Most (from The New World of Work)

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In The New World of Work video series, host and HBR Editor in Chief Adi Ignatius explores how top-tier executives see the future and how their compani...