HBS Working Knowledge

Political polarization has seeped so deeply into US society that it shapes how leaders run their businesses: https://hbs.me/464n8tnw A recent paper illustrates how the partisan divide segregates executive suites, start-up firms, and even entire professions and industries. Within finance, in particular, decisionmakers’ political views influence investment returns, credit ratings, asset allocations, loan terms, and bond yields, says Elisabeth Kempf. ? :?Jay Fitzgerald ?? : Elisabeth Kempf, Margarita Tsoutsoura

How should companies build operational resilience? https://hbs.me/3je34c3k When cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike distributed a faulty software update in July, it impacted a staggering 8.5 million devices. Some research reports estimate that the cost of the CrowdStrike event could exceed $1 billion. As more businesses rely on cloud servers in an automated world, more companies will live and die based on their ability to bounce back from a crisis. Hise Gibson and Anita Lynch raise six essential questions for leaders to ask as they evaluate operational resilience.

Will AI transform healthcare for the better? Or will it only make things worse? https://hbs.me/2rewrryw AI's ability to enhance clinical documentation, billing, and reimbursement processes while allowing physicians to focus on patients has the potential to decrease burnout rates, increase job satisfaction, and improve patient care. But there's a problem: Most U.S. physicians do not practice within systems that prioritize physician or even patient well-being. ?? : Susanna Gallani, Lidia Moura, and Katie Sonnefeldt

"Investors, businesses, and global society can mobilize the capital and scale projects to help individuals, cities, and nations avoid some of the worst outcomes of climate change," says Harvard Business School's John Macomber. He shares five observations about climate adaptation and economic development in Africa.

What can corporate leaders learn from executives who served their country during wartime conflicts? Drawing on a series of case studies,?Harvard Business School's Robert Simons?shares important lessons from the experiences of Walt Disney, Dwight Eisenhower, and Robert McNamara.

How psychologically safe do you feel at work? How long have you been at your position? https://hbs.me/3wujkz9j New research shows that new hires often enter fresh roles feeling optimistic and confident their organizations are eager to hear from them, but over time, employees increasingly feel less psychologically safe to contribute ideas. And once sychological safety is lost, it's hard to get back. ? : Michael Blanding ?? : Amy Edmondson, Michaela Kerrissey, Derrick Bransby

Could you tell whether an email was written by a chatbot or the CEO of your company? Research by Harvard Business School's Prithwiraj Choudhury evaluates the perceptions of AI use in executive communications. He collaborated with UCL's Bart Vanneste and Leiden University's Amirhossein (Miros) Zohrehvand. Read about the research: https://lnkd.in/drz4JqJg

Read an excerpt of "The Treasure You Seek: A Guide to Developing and Leveraging Your Leadership Capital": https://hbs.me/2p8jkvyf Anyone with a dream to open a business, start a nonprofit, or move up the ranks at work can get where they want to go, says author Archie L. Jones. They need to learn to recognize and build their leadership capital, the resources and influence needed to realize their goals. His leadership lessons focus on what he calls the five Cs: capability, culture, communication, connection, and confidence.

Layoffs have been on the rise in some industries as tech and professional services companies grapple with slowing demand and mixed economic signals.?Sandra Sucher,?Frances Frei, and?Maria Roche of Harvard Business School, and collaborator and author Anne Morriss offer insights for leaders managing through the turmoil.

"It is a mistake to think that, just because a group seems loyal to one party today, this will remain true as the group grows in the future." Analysis of the current state of politics by Vincent Pons and Jesse Shapiro of Harvard Business School, and Richard Calvo of the University of California, Berkeley based on their new research.