HBS Leadership Initiative

As CEOs, connecting with stakeholders is not just a task—it's a priority. The most successful leaders make it a core part of their agenda, and during a crisis, it becomes even more crucial. McKinsey’s partner Blair Epstein shares key strategies that top CEOs use to build robust communications plans. Check it out here: How to build a communications road map and navigate crisis (mckinsey.com)

For business leaders—especially at smaller companies—the idea of using generative AI for strategic planning is exciting. This technology can help identify challenges and opportunities that managers might miss due to human biases. However, it also has limitations. Through two case studies, it became clear that while AI can spot issues and surface overlooked questions, it struggles to imagine future scenarios because its forecasts rely heavily on past data. That’s where clever prompting comes in, allowing AI to assist in ways human managers might not consider. The takeaway? Generative AI should augment your strategic thinking, not replace it. #AI #StrategicPlanning #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #Innovation #HarvardBusinessReview

Women in the workplace face unique challenges, whether they’re mothers or not. While men often receive a “fatherhood wage premium,” mothers encounter a “motherhood penalty” in terms of wages and advancement. But what about women without children? Unfortunately, they’re not on equal footing with their male counterparts either. It’s clear that the maternal wall impacts all women’s careers, regardless of their parenting status. Breaking down these biases is essential for true workplace equality.? #GenderEquality #Leadership #CareerGrowth #WorkplaceBias #HarvardBusinessReview

We learned that “The New Needs Friends” while working with executives at Pixar Animation Studios. Our program “Leading and Building a Culture of Innovation” is a celebration of this mantra. ? It was conceived ten years ago by three friends Linda Hill, Greg Brandeau, and Maurizio Travaglini, imagining together how to innovate the way we teach innovation. Since then, other new friends Ann Le Cam and Ryan Raffaelli have joined, redesigning and teaching this program every year. ? We have worked with almost 500 executives from six continents and more than 60 countries, representing organizations like Google, Newsweek, Pfizer, Adobe, UNICEF, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Novo Nordisk, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation…and many more. ? This short video brings together some of their insights about our program: I hope it will make you smile as it did for us. ? Discover LBCI 2024 (December 8-13, on HBS campus) here: https://lnkd.in/eA7aV8dh #HBSLeadershipInitiative #innovation #leadership #ExecutiveEducation #Pixar #HBS #LBCI2024 #CultureOfInnovation #LeadershipDevelopment #CreativeLeadership #InnovationCulture #GlobalExecutives #HBSEdEx #InnovativeTeaching #Teamwork?

Looking forward to welcoming a new innovative leaders to HBS!

Nearly 18 million U.S. adults are affected by long Covid, a complex, chronic illness with a wide range of symptoms. Some people recover over time, but many remain chronically ill. For these employees, the right workplace support can make all the difference. Employers must prioritize disability inclusion by offering a range of accommodations and considering individual job redesigns. Building an inclusive culture isn’t just the right thing to do—it also helps retain valuable talent and enables employees with long Covid and other chronic illnesses to contribute fully. #DisabilityInclusion #LongCovid #WorkplaceWellness #Leadership #EmployeeSupport #HarvardBusinessReview

Despite recent backlash and budget cuts, DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) efforts are far from over. According to researchers from the Stanford VMware Women’s Leadership Innovation Lab, DEI in the U.S. is going through a phase of "closed doors"—where the obvious path for change is no longer easily accessible. In a recent gathering with 14 Chief Diversity Officers (CDOs) across six industries, striking parallels emerged between today’s DEI strategies and the tactics used by feminist movement builders during similar challenges. The researchers identified four key strategies to continue advancing DEI, even in the face of resistance. The work may be tough right now, but the push for inclusive, equitable workplaces is ongoing—and more important than ever.? #DEI #Leadership #Inclusion #SocialChange #Diversity #HarvardBusinessReview

Did you know that only 15% of current managers consistently use generative AI, while 40% of business graduate students are already leveraging this technology? As these future leaders step into the workforce, they’ll find themselves in environments that are often underprepared and not designed to maximize their AI-driven capabilities. This HBR article explores how organizations should respond. https://lnkd.in/eWSgpuqr #FutureOfWork #GenerativeAI #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #AIinBusiness #WorkforceInnovation #FutureLeaders #BusinessStrategy

When work feels overwhelming, finding joy can seem impossible. But research shows that incorporating hope, optimism, and joy can combat burnout and boost well-being. Here are four simple strategies to help reconnect with joy, even on the toughest days: 1. Find Your Why: Reconnect with your passion by aligning your work with what brings you joy, what you excel at, and what the world needs. 2. Embrace Curiosity: Approach challenges with a beginner's mindset—stay curious and open to learning. 3?. Celebrate Wins: Sprinkle gratitude and joy by recognizing team contributions. Building a positive, supportive culture lifts everyone. 4?. Fuel Your Energy: Keep positive reminders around and practice self-compassion to sustain energy and enthusiasm. Rediscovering joy at work takes effort, but these steps can help you stay grounded and motivated!? #Leadership #BurnoutPrevention #WellBeing #HarvardBusinessReview

In today’s interconnected world, businesses must serve customers from all corners of the globe, each with unique perspectives, values, and needs. To truly meet this global audience, companies need diverse teams that reflect their customer base. Why? Because products carry the DNA of their creators—the values, ideas, and experiences of those who design and build them. A homogeneous team risks missing the mark with large segments of the market, but a diverse team brings a range of perspectives that lead to better solutions and more inclusive products. Building diversity starts at the top. To create products that resonate globally, companies need leadership teams with diverse experiences and viewpoints. Here are some strategies: 1?. Expand your network to find candidates from underrepresented backgrounds. 2?. Write inclusive job descriptions to attract a wide range of candidates. 3?. Partner with diverse talent agencies to access broader pools of talent. 4?. Create diverse hiring committees to minimize bias. 5?. Invest in mentorship and development programs to cultivate future leaders. 6?. Leverage local expertise when expanding into international markets. Diverse leadership = diverse perspectives. #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion #GlobalBusiness #Innovation #InclusiveProducts #DiverseLeadership