HBS Leadership Initiative

In today’s hyper-connected world, collaboration is at the heart of business success. Social media and advanced technologies have made it easier than ever to collaborate across geographies, industries, and disciplines. But here's the catch: without the appropriate leadership, collaboration can go off track. In a recent study by INSEAD professors Ibarra and Hansen, they explore what it truly takes to be a collaborative leader. Their research highlights key traits of top-performing CEOs. Here are four essential tactics they’ve found to foster a high-performance collaborative culture: 1. Connecting External and Internal Networks – The best leaders know how to tap into networks beyond their organization and bring in fresh ideas, diverse perspectives, and valuable partnerships. 2. Leveraging Diverse Talent – High-performing organizations understand the power of diversity—not just in hiring, but also in leveraging the unique skills and viewpoints of all team members. 3. Modeling Collaborative Behavior at the Top – Leaders must set the tone. When executives demonstrate collaboration in their own work, it creates a ripple effect throughout the organization. 4. Keeping Teams on Track – While collaboration is key, so is focus. Great leaders ensure that teams stay on track. #Leadership #Collaboration #BusinessStrategy #ExecutiveLeadership #HighPerformance #Innovation #HarvardBusinessReview #INSEAD

As the year wraps up, we’re revisiting some standout moments. During the Digital Data Design (D^3) Institute at Harvard Data Design Institute at Harvard Business School's Leading with AI: Exploring Business and Technology Frontiers conference, our Executive Fellow, Sunand Menon, shared findings from our research on what it takes to lead in a digital world. https://lnkd.in/ejY4Kz9D #DigitalEra #Innovation #HBS #LeadershipInitiative #DigitalTransformation

Research has consistently highlighted the importance of self-care, yet many leaders find it challenging to implement in their daily routines. To make self-care a sustainable practice, we need to embrace some crucial mindset shifts. Here’s a five-part checklist to help leaders prioritize their well-being: 1. Create a Body Budget: Just like managing finances, it’s essential to track your physical energy and set limits to avoid burnout. 2. Manage Emotional Health: Prioritize mental well-being by recognizing stressors and practicing emotional regulation techniques. 3. Identify Choice Points: Recognize moments where you can make choices that align with your values and goals, enhancing your sense of agency. 4. Prioritize Growth: Focus on continuous personal and professional development to foster resilience and adaptability. 5. Nourish Yourself: Make self-care a regular practice—find what rejuvenates you and commit to it. Leaders, let’s personalize our self-care plans and practice regularly to enhance our effectiveness and overall health. When we take care of ourselves, we can better support our teams! #Leadership #SelfCare #MentalHealth #PersonalDevelopment #Wellbeing #HBR

As companies gear up for potential crises, they often overlook a fundamental question: How are we designed? Good preparedness is rooted in good organization, while poor preparedness often stems from a flawed structure. Leaders must take a close look at their “architecture of preparedness.” This means shifting the focus away from just training and protocols, and instead evaluating internal reporting and governance structures. In an era where crises are becoming more frequent, the critical question for all organizations is whether their management and leadership designs are truly safe and effective. To enhance crisis response, leaders should concentrate on three key areas: 1. Position: Ensure that key roles are clearly defined and aligned with crisis management needs. 2. Access: Facilitate easy access to information and decision-makers during a crisis. 3. Unity of Effort: Foster collaboration across departments to ensure a cohesive response. By prioritizing these areas, companies can build a resilient framework that empowers them to navigate challenges more effectively. #CrisisManagement #OrganizationalDesign #Leadership #Preparedness #Resilience #HBR

Leading Digital Transformation at Scale! At the Harvard Business School Leadership Initiative, we’re focused on how leaders drive impactful digital transformations—and SAIC’s CEO Toni Townes-Whitley offers a compelling example. In just one year, she’s led this $7B, 24,000-employee company through targeted upskilling and integrating generative AI with safeguards for government clients. Discover her approach to leadership, innovation, and digital transformation! https://lnkd.in/g3yDpU4c #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #SAIC #GenerativeAI

The newly released 2024 Women in the Workplace report by LeanIn.org and McKinsey & Company reveals a concerning stagnation in women’s labor force participation. Despite years of discussion and initiatives, men and women continue to be concentrated in different occupations, and women still bear the brunt of housework and childcare responsibilities. One of the most alarming findings is that the experiences of women under 30 mirror those of women aged 50 and older—sometimes, they’re even worse. This lack of progress across generations highlights a pressing need for companies to confront the unique challenges that hinder women early in their careers. The report outlines specific actions organizations can take to support the next generation of women leaders, including: 1. Creating inclusive career development opportunities 2. Implementing policies that promote work-life balance 3. Addressing bias in hiring and promotion processes It’s time for companies to step up and take meaningful action to foster an equitable workplace for all. #WomenInLeadership #GenderEquality #WorkplaceEquity #CareerDevelopment #LeanIn #HBR

Navigating the transition into a CEO role can be challenging, but one key piece of advice stands out: engage with your employees from the start. A recent article from Harvard Business School underscores the importance of open communication. By prioritizing conversations with your team, you build trust and gain valuable insights into the organization’s culture and dynamics. Early and frequent dialogue fosters a collaborative environment, allowing you to address concerns, align on goals, and drive engagement. It’s about more than just leading; it’s about listening and learning from those who know the business best. Let’s embrace the power of communication in leadership! #Leadership #CEO #Communication #EmployeeEngagement #BusinessStrategy #HBS

Thank you, Ryan Snyder, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Thermo Fisher Scientific, for sharing your invaluable insights during the fireside chat with Professor Linda Hill at Harvard Business School’s High Potentials Leadership Program. Your perspectives on leadership and digital transformation were truly inspiring and left a lasting impact on the participants. #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #CIO #HBS #HighPotentials #Inspiration #ExecutiveEducation #HarvardBusinessSchool

Thank you to the incredible leaders who joined us for Harvard Business School's High Potentials Leadership Program! Your energy, commitment, and thought-provoking contributions made the experience truly exceptional. We look forward to seeing you again on campus soon! A special thanks to our outstanding faculty team: Linda Hill, Tony Mayo, Joshua Margolis, and Allie Feldberg. Your expertise and guidance were invaluable. We’re also grateful to our guest speakers, Michael Ku, ?Vice President of Global Clinical Supply at Pfizer, and Ryan Snyder, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Thermo Fisher Scientific, for sharing their powerful insights. Finally, a big thank you to our Executive Education team: Clarissa Quintanilla, Abby Rebello, Aleyda Villavicencio, @Abby S. Peter, and Erika Florez-Villamarin. Your partnership and support are instrumental in making our programs a success. #LeadershipDevelopment #HighPotentials #HBSExecutiveEducation #LifelongLearning #HBSLeadership #LeadershipJourney #FutureLeaders #ExecutiveEducation #HarvardBusinessSchool #LeadershipExcellence

A failed reinvention can quickly lead a business into irrelevance. So how do companies successfully pivot without losing the essence that made them great? In this brief video from MIT Sloan Management Review, Harvard Business School’s Professor Ryan Raffaelli shares lessons from his decade of research on corporate reinvention. Corning stands out as a prime example: A company that has continuously embraced change without compromising its core identity. The video explores how leaders can create an organizational climate that balances market-driven reinvention with adherence to the company’s goal. Successful reinvention isn’t about starting over but about evolving with purpose while staying true to your identity. For a deeper dive into the common mistakes and how to avoid them, check out Raffaelli’s article: “The Three Traps That Stymie Reinvention” on MIT SMR. #Leadership #Strategy #Innovation #CorporateReinvention #BusinessTransformation #MITSMR #HBS