How to Cultivate Your “Personal Power” As a Leader
In this episode, HBR’s Alison Beard talks with Tulane professor and executive coach Chris Lipp about "personal power"—the internal belief in one’s ability to create impact that transcends formal hierarchy. Lipp outlines three foundations of personal power—sense of control, internal orientation, and action focus—and shares practical tools like value affirmation and group identity reminders to boost it, even in disempowering environments. He emphasizes that personal power is demonstrated through giving value while also asserting oneself, leading to greater respect, promotion prospects, and fair outcomes in negotiations. The conversation highlights how shifting from seeking external approval to focusing on one’s own goals transforms leadership effectiveness.
How Shake Shack Balanced Digitalization with Its Hospitality Ethos
In this episode, Harvard Business School professor Christopher Stanton and Shake Shack Chief Growth Officer Stephanie So discuss how the fast‑casual chain has integrated self‑service kiosks, mobile ordering, and AI while preserving its hospitality‑first culture. They explore the trade‑offs between...
Getting Buy-In for Your Next Big Idea
In this episode of HBR Women at Work, host Amy Bernstein talks with Michigan Ross professor Sue Ashford and Harvard Business Publishing VP Ellen Bailey about how middle managers can successfully sell big ideas to senior leaders. They outline a...
Redefining What Efficiency Means in the Age of AI
In this episode, neuroscientist and physician Mitou Steroni explains that true efficiency in the AI era means prioritizing the quality of human output over sheer quantity. She argues that generative AI handles repetitive tasks, freeing brains to engage in deeper,...
Communicating with Confidence When You’re Under Pressure
In this episode of Women at Work, leadership coach Muriel Wilkins discusses how to communicate effectively under pressure by prioritizing deep listening, mindfulness, and self‑awareness. She emphasizes that true listening—aimed at understanding rather than merely responding—helps prevent reactive behavior and...
When You’re Worn Down—And Your Team Is Too
In this episode, workplace strategist Daisy Auger‑Dominguez explores how managers can reclaim joy amid the grind of modern leadership, especially for middle managers feeling the pressure from both senior leadership and their teams. She defines joy as deep, sustainable satisfaction...
Why Storytelling Matters When Changing Company Culture
In this HBR IdeaCast episode, Professor Jay Barney explains that effective storytelling is a critical tool for leaders seeking to shift company culture to align with new strategies. He shares research and real‑world examples—such as a Brazilian telecom’s CEO who...
Combatting Cynicism in Your Organization
In this HBR IdeaCast episode, psychologist Jamil Zaki explains how cynicism—viewing others as selfish and untrustworthy—differs from healthy skepticism and why it spreads in organizations, harming individual well‑being, relationships, and efficiency. He outlines the personal costs (stress, depression, higher mortality)...
Why Most Projects Fail—And How to Achieve Better Outcomes
In this episode, Antonio Nieto‑Rodriguez explains why roughly two‑thirds of projects fail and outlines how organizations can improve outcomes. He emphasizes framing projects as strategic investments, aligning structures and incentives around a project‑centric model, and avoiding common pitfalls such as...