Finding Opportunities Amid Uncertainty

In spite of the risks inherent in disruptive times, there are opportunities amid the uncertainty. How can corporate innovators navigate both external and internal challenges while working to make a difference?

This week, we ask how leaders are using purpose and values to drive change, and how they’re choosing to get off the sidelines and act.

Programming Note: The Navigator will be on break for the next two weeks, but we look forward to seeing you in September!?

Spotlight: 5 Takeaways from Conversation on How to Drive Positive Change in Your Company

In this?in-depth essay , Aspen ’s?Nancy McGaw distills advice and expert insights from Matthew Breitfelder ,?Andrew Ohm ?and?Maureen Scully ?on “how corporate intrapreneurs might find opportunities to drive positive change in these complicated times.“

What do these insights say about inspiring change from within? “Instead of stepping to the side, change makers should see this time of disruption and uncertainty as an opportune moment to step into the fray.“

News Roundup

1. How Wharton and Other Top Business Schools Are Training MBAs for the Climate Economy ?(Inside Climate News: Mathilde Augustin) “The climate crisis is here, it’s urgent and there is a lot of interesting work to be done”: How are business schools doing their part?
2. Politicians Think Climate Policies Are Less Popular Than They Are ?(Corporate Knights: Kate Yoder)?From people to business leaders to politicians: What if we aren’t getting the information we need to make important decisions??(also see Meta Shutters Tool Used to Fight Disinformation, Despite Outcry and?Exposing AI )?
3. Starbucks Names Chipotle Chief Brian Niccol as New CEO in Surprise Shake-Up ?(The Guardian: Michael Sainato, Reuters)?In the midst of disruption, how can a change in leadership reshape this company? And why does former CEO Howard Schultz say that “senior leaders need to spend more time with workers”? (also see?How To Do A Strategic Pivot: 8 CEOs Share )
4. Moving Beyond ESG ?(Harvard Business Review: Robert G. Eccles) Why does this author argue that “moving past the ESG culture wars is actually the easy part”? Is he right?
5. YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki: Technology Needs More Leaders Like Wojcicki ?(Bloomberg: Beth Kowitt) “If someone were to look back on the decisions that we’re making, would they feel we were on the right side of history? Would I feel proud? Will my children feel like I made good decisions?” (also see?Lumen CEO Kate Johnson: 'Be A Learn-It-All, Not a Know-It-All’ )

Also on Our Radar

What else caught our attention this week?

• Ozempic Boom: Inside USA’s Weight-Loss Drug Capital (it’s probably not where you expect!)
• Ready to control your media intake rather than the other way around? How to Finally Stop Doomscrolling in Six Easy Steps . Or check out these role models:?Meet the Granfluencers .
• If you’re looking for good reads to dive into over the break, check out these beach reads with a side of economics ?and insightful?novels for leaders .

One for the Road

Thanks for reading, forwarding and following. We’ll see you soon!

— The Business & Society Navigators

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Founded in 1998, the?Aspen Institute Business & Society Program ?works to align business decisions and investments with the long-term health of society—and the planet.