The Insightful Leader
Episodes
Automation, Answers, and Advice—a Playbook for AI Adoption
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
So you've tinkered with AI, but now you want to level up. Here are tips from Kellogg faculty on using the tech more effectively.
The Global Trends Shaping the Way We Do Business
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Uncertainty is everywhere. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we examine the effect of geopolitics on everything from Barbies to Sharpies.
How Do Those Valentine's Day Roses End Up in Your Bouquet? It's Complicated.
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Millions of blooms. Two continents, One day. And a very busy airport. On this (rerun) episode, we hear how our favorite symbol of love gets from point...
The Authentic Appeal of Influencer Marketing
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, learn why companies should embrace the social-media testimonial, warts and all.
Focus on Your Story, Not Your Résumé
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As your career progresses, it can be easy to get stuck in a narrow professional lane. Learn how to break free on this episode of The Insightful Leader...
I Respectfully Disagree
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From ketchup on hot dogs to politics, it can be hard to talk constructively about polarizing issues. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we play...
In Workplace Negotiations, Put the Relationship First
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's not just about salary. On this episode of The Insightful Leader's "Ask Insight," we hear how to approach some common work tensions by finding com...
Managing Layoffs without Compromising Your Morals
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There's no "correct" approach to laying people off, but on this episode of The Insightful Leader, we discuss how you can maintain your integrity throu...
When We Get Too Comfortable, It's Tough to Take Flight
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, an executive coach offers three tales of leaders who let complacency get in the way of success.
How to Stay Resilient in the Face of a Major Setback
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Kellogg's Craig Wortmann lost a portion of his leg to cancer, he felt like he lost part of his identity, too. On this episode of The Insightful L...
Insight Unpacked S2E6 | When a Healthcare Expert Becomes a Patient
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus episode of our series, "Insight Unpacked: American Healthcare and Its Web of Misaligned Incentives," a healthcare economist must make cr...
Preventing a Potential Culture Clash at Work
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: when Fuyao Glass opened a U.S. factory, it underestimated the importance of translating company culture.
Workers Are Stressed Out. Here's How Leaders Can Help.
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this (rerun) episode of The Insightful Leader: You can't always control what happens at work. But reframing setbacks, and instituting some serious ...
What Rom-coms Can Teach Business Leaders
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we'll discuss how these movies can help us navigate conflict and tackle power dynamics.
How Should You Present Yourself at Work?
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Be yourself! No, not like that. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we help you navigate the competing advice about how much to share and hold b...
Avoiding the Likability Trap at Work
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Plus: insecure employees and a flagging culture. On this episode of The Insightful Leader's "Ask Insight," a conversation with Professor Harry Kraemer...
You Have an Idea for a New AI Tool. Now What?
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: two researchers offer tips on how to get AI development right.
Former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi on Her Climb to the Top
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, Kellogg's Ellen Taaffe interviews her mentor about success, self-belief, and supporting the next generation ...
How to Get Delegation Right, Part 3 of 3
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader's "Ask Insight," we finish our conversation by getting real about the emotional stakes that make delegating h...
How to Get Delegation Right, Part 2 of 3
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader's "Ask Insight," our conversation continues with a discussion of which tasks and functions to delegate—and ...
How to Get Delegation Right, Part 1 of 3
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's a tricky skill to master. On this episode of The Insightful Leader's "Ask Insight," a Kellogg professor and executive coach says it begins with a...
The AI Risks Your Business Should Avoid
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, why your trade secrets may not be safe, and other considerations.
How Huy Fong's Sriracha Went from Hot to Not
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When missteps knocked the famous "rooster sauce" off its pedestal, a competitor seized the moment. On this episode of The Insightful Leader: Why one b...
How to Grow as a Leader Without Burning Yourself Out
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Insightful Leader, a former president at Kraft Foods explains why "sometimes just working harder is a complete waste of time."
Third-Party Cookies Are Crumbling. What's a Marketer to Do?
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
New rules are making it harder to track customers' online behaviors. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we look at what this means for companie...
Insight Unpacked S2E5 | American Healthcare—Is This the Best We Can Do?
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the final episode of our 5-episode series, "Insight Unpacked: American Healthcare and Its Web of Misaligned Incentives," we travel overseas, and th...
Insight Unpacked S2E4 | The Bargain That Fuels Big Pharma
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What will we pay for the next groundbreaking drug? In episode 4 of our 5-episode series, "Insight Unpacked: American Healthcare and Its Web of Misalig...
Insight Unpacked S2E3 | The Misadventures of Insuring America
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 3 of our 5-episode series, "Insight Unpacked: American Healthcare and Its Web of Misaligned Incentives," we explain how insurance companies...
Insight Unpacked S2E2 | The Power of the Physician's Pen
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We rely on doctors to keep us healthy. In episode 2 of our 5-episode series, "Insight Unpacked: American Healthcare and Its Web of Misaligned Incentiv...
Insight Unpacked S2E1 | The Problem with Megaproviders
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 1 of our 5-episode series, "Insight Unpacked: American Healthcare and Its Web of Misaligned Incentives," we investigate how hospital system...
Introducing Insight Unpacked, Season 2
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Introducing Insight Unpacked, Season 2: American Healthcare and Its Web of Misaligned Incentives If you lived in the nineteenth century, and you got...
Why Italy's Economy Offers a Cautionary Tale for the U.S.
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Since the 1990s, taxes, debt, and regulations have hamstrung the Italian economy. On this episode of The Insightful Leader: Could America be next?
Why You Need a Killer Answer to "So, What Do You Do?"
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A great response to this question can open doors. On this episode of The Insightful Leader: we've got tips for fine-tuning your answer.
When AI Becomes a TA
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Curious about using AI at work? On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we hear from one professor who found a fascinating, low-stakes way to bring ...
What's It Take to Get on a Board, Anyway?
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's not like applying for a job. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, an expert demystifies the process.
AI Is a Tool. How Do We Want to Use It?
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Generative AI is like "a hammer looking for a nail." On this episode of The Insightful Leader: we have to decide what the nail should be.
Need to Make a Point? Tell a Good Story.
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Plus: more leadership advice in this episode of The Insightful Leader's "Ask Insight" series.
Need Product Inspiration? Meet Your Customer in the Wild.
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: a consumer anthropologist takes us behind the scenes as she interviews a "pet parent."
Can Complexity Science Help Us Understand Organizations?
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: From climate change to neuroscience, this new approach is reshaping how we study complicated systems.
The Complicated Promise of ESG
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: Are companies as socially responsible as they claim? And how much should investors care?
How Should You Present Yourself at Work?
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Be yourself! No, not like that. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we help you navigate the competing advice about how much to share and hold b...
Get Inside Your Customer's Mind
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: how understanding consumer mindsets can help you make the sale.
Podcast: Using AI Comes with a Tradeoff. Now Multiply That by 8 Billion.
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader podcast: what happens when everyone uses the same generative AI tools?
Avoiding the Likeability Trap at Work
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Plus: insecure employees and a flagging culture. On this episode of The Insightful Leader's "Ask Insight," more from our conversation with Professor H...
You're the Boss! Now What?
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader's "Ask Insight," Professor Harry Kraemer discusses how to lead your former peers and build trust with your te...
Insight Unpacked BONUS | Why Canada Goose Soared and Shinola Sputtered
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Luxury is dominated by older brands. So what happens when newer entrants try to break through? In the second of two bonus episodes, we show what can g...
Insight Unpacked BONUS | So You Want to Be a Luxury Brand
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
So opulent! So exclusive! In the first of two bonus episodes, we explore everything that helps brands like Ferrari and Manolo Blahnik scream luxury.
The Case for Admitting (Some) Flaws at Work
28 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode: Why showing vulnerability can actually be a boon for leaders.
Platforms Are Experimenting on Their Users…a Lot. Is That Okay?
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: Opaque algorithms on platforms like LinkedIn, Uber, and TaskRabbit have more power than ever. It's starting ...
How to Prepare for Your New Algorithmic Coworker
12 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For better or worse, generative AI is here to stay. On this episode of The Insightful Leader: What could it mean for you and your team?
How to Discuss Performance Issues
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Please take our listener survey: kell.gg/podsurvey On this episode of the Insightful Leader: giving negative feedback is not easy, but such critiques ...
How to Tell Compelling Stories with Data Visualizations [rerun]
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: a blueprint for making strong (and honest) arguments with data.
How to Discuss Politics When You Disagree
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Talking politics in this polarized climate is a dicey proposition. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, an expert in the psychology of persuasion...
Is There a Right Way to Monitor Worker Productivity?
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Insightful Leader, we consider the benefits and drawbacks of keeping a very close eye on employees.
"It's Hard to Regulate U.S. Banks!"
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Silicon Valley Bank spectacularly collapsed—and a new analysis suggests that its precarious situation is not as much of an outlier as we'd hope. On ...
Workers Are Stressed Out. Here's How Leaders Can Help.
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: You can't always control what happens at work. But reframing setbacks, and instituting some serious calendar...
How Last Fall's Climate Bill Is Creating Opportunities for Businesses
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With major incentives starting to kick in, here's how the legislation is poised to affect the economy.
How Letting Teams Fail Can Help Them Succeed
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It can be tempting for leaders to swoop in to solve problems. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we hear from a U.S. Army colonel about why doi...
What to Expect When Joining a Family-Owned Business
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There are cons—but a lot of pros, too. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we'll explore what it's like to work at a family business when you'...
Does Your Life Reflect What You Value?
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Please take our listener survey: kell.gg/podsurvey In this episode of The Insightful Leader, a former CEO explains how to organize your life around wh...
China's Economy Is in Flux. Here's What American Businesses Need to Know.
23 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: the end of "Zero Covid," escalating geopolitical tensions, and China's potentially irreplaceable role in the...
How to Engage a Disengaged Employee
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we hear how leaders can work with their "quiet-quitters" and rebuild morale.
What the FTX Meltdown Means for the Future of Crypto
18 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The implosion of the crypto exchange has sent the industry reeling. We dig into what happened and whether cryptocurrency, as a concept, can weather th...
Insight Unpacked S1E5 | Is Your Brand Working?
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the fifth and final episode of our series, "Extraordinary Brands and How to Build Them," we look at how to measure your brand's health–and what y...
Insight Unpacked S1E4 | How Will You Tell Your Brand's Story?
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 4 of our 5-episode series, "Extraordinary Brands and How to Build Them," professor Mohan Sawhney discusses the importance of transmedia bra...
Insight Unpacked S1E3 | What Should Your Brand Look (and Sound and Smell) Like?
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 3 of our 5-episode series, "Extraordinary Brands and How to Build Them," we discuss the associations you want customers to make with your b...
Insight Unpacked S1E2 | What Should You Name Your Brand?
22 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 2 of our 5-episode series, "Extraordinary Brands and How to Build Them," we dig into the importance of finding the right name for your bran...
Insight Unpacked S1E1 | Why Does Your Brand Need to Exist?
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 1 of our 5-episode series, "Extraordinary Brands and How to Build Them," we reveal the key questions you should answer before you start to ...
Ask Insight | How Can Entrepreneurs Develop a Stellar Sales Pitch?
06 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader podcast, two seasoned entrepreneurs share wisdom from the trenches.
Ask Insight | Managing Up, Managing Across, and Retaining Your Best Employees
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader podcast: you asked and our faculty answered. We dig into a mailbox of listener questions on leadership and ma...
What One School District's Fiasco Says About the Strengths and Limits of AI
14 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: When Boston Public Schools looked to algorithms to solve equity issues and save money, it ran into a roadblo...
Executive Presence—Do You Have It?
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, an episode from the archives: It's not enough to be good at your job. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, learn how to develop the gr...
What People Get Wrong about Setting Goals
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Insightful Leader, we hear how leaders can help their teams—and themselves—turn ambitious goals into reality.
Ask Insight | What Should DEI Work Actually Look Like?
12 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On our first episode of Ask Insight, we learn that changing the status quo will take self-reflection and time.
How to Design Incentives That Motivate Employees
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we learn why it's not always as simple as handing out a performance bonus.
Podcast: Cybersecurity, Part 2 | How to Respond to a Breach
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the second episode of our two-part series, former NSA director Mike Rogers discusses what to do if your defensive tactics have failed and your netw...
Cybersecurity, Part 1 | How to Avoid Becoming a Target
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the first episode of our two-part series, former NSA director Mike Rogers shares strategies for protecting your organization from a cyberattack.
PODCAST: How to Lead a Great Virtual Meeting
08 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Zoom doesn't have to be a drag. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we discuss some rules of the road.
Are You Promoting the Right People to Management?
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: How to identify leadership talent—and how to advance the careers of employees who aren't looking to manage...
How to Lead During Difficult Times
27 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The good news is you may already have the skills you need. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we'll learn about doubling down on that expertise...
Why You Need a Working Knowledge of AI
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Business leaders can't rely solely on data scientists to get the job done. Learn more on this episode of The Insightful Leader.
Businesses Can Slow Climate Change. Here's How.
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Individual actions won't be enough to slow global warming. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, learn how companies—and the people who lead the...
The Art of Giving Good Feedback
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: how to talk so that your team (and boss) will listen.
Why Conspiracy Theories Abound—and How to Push Back
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
COVID conspiracies have a powerful psychological allure. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we explore how to combat them.
How One CEO Is Making Tough Decisions about In-Person Work
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Some employees moved out of state. Others don't want to be in the office. And not everyone is vaccinated. On this episode of The Insightful Leader: Wh...
Now's the Time to Negotiate for the Job—or Salary or Flexibility—You Want
13 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Tips from an expert negotiator on how to ask without fear.
Got a Great Idea? Here's How to Get People on Board.
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode: You're going to have to do more than sell it.
How Should Companies Engage with Social Movements?
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The stakes have never been higher. Learn more on this episode of The Insightful Leader.
Executive Presence—Do You Have It?
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's not enough to be good at your job. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, learn how to develop the gravitas that commands attention and respec...
How to Tell Compelling Stories with Data Visualizations
07 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we provide a blueprint for making strong (and honest) arguments with data.
How Can We Ramp Up Innovation?
03 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: what the data say about successful entrepreneurs and the types of policies that best support them.
How to Boost Your Emotional Intelligence
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Strong leadership is about more than being the smartest person in the room. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we offer tips to become more awa...
To Lead Through a Crisis, You Need the "Straight, Unvarnished Truth"
22 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: Carbon's Ellen Kullman, former CEO of DuPont, on having the right people around to hold up a mirror.
A 3-Step Process for Selling (Anything) Virtually
10 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tip: It's not over when the Zoom call ends. Learn more on this episode of The Insightful Leader.
Feeling Stuck? Here's How to Move Your Career Forward
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, get practical advice for detecting your blind spots—and pushing past them.
Thinking about Adopting a Contact-Tracing App for Your Company? Here's What to Keep in Mind.
18 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The technology can help reopen workplaces—but only if your employees trust it. Three experts discuss how to earn that trust.
How a Century-Old Family Business Is Adapting to the Pandemic
31 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with the chairman and the CEO of Griffith Foods about leading with purpose during the crisis.
"This Is a Time for Management Teams to Earn Their Stripes."
02 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode, veteran venture capitalist Woody Marshall discusses the investment landscape and the importance of leadership through the pan...
Wayfair Has Seen a Spike in New Customers. Here's How It Plans to Keep Them.
24 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode, a conversation with the company's chief merchandising officer about adapting for an unprecedented future.
"I'm Looking For Systemic, Permanent Change Right Now"
16 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Anti-Black racism is deeply embedded in corporate culture. On this special episode, Professor Nicholas Pearce and Google's Ginny Clarke discuss the mo...