In fast-moving industries and volatile markets, strategy is supposed to come from the C-level. But when it doesn’t, senior leaders must step up to translate ambiguity into clarity, maintain momentum, and keep teams focused. There are four key strategies for…

AI is transforming consulting by making it possible to automate tasks traditionally handled by junior consultants such as research, modelling, and analysis. This shift is leading to a new leaner consulting model, the “obelisk,” which features fewer layers…

In this HBR Executive Masterclass, Harvard Business School’s Max H. Bazerman breaks down the mindset traps that cause even senior leaders to leave value on the table during negotiations. He explains why a “fixed pie” mentality limits deals for both parties…

If loneliness is reshaping society, then it’s already reshaping the teams we lead, whether we see it clearly or not. Loneliness silently dismantles trust and team cohesion, foundational elements that drive performance, innovation, and resilience. By attending…

Researchers found that leaders who successfully navigate digital disruption draw from a mix of traditional and emerging leadership styles. Most impactful, however, was a tension between two leadership styles: prospectors, who display curiosity about internal…

Performance management practices and systems often encourage teams to “innovate and deliver,” pushing them toward high standards while asking them to be flexible and experimental. But new research finds that expecting teams to emphasize both learning and…

CMOs are under intense pressure to increase revenue and improve efficiency. The problem is that many of their traditional KPIs–reach, impressions, engagement rates, brand lift studies–are useful for marketers but don’t connect directly to business results.…

The overwhelming majority of generative AI programs have so far failed to deliver significant business returns. Research across industries reveals that the small percentage of companies who actually are unlocking AI’s potential are distinguished by leaders…

Traditional economic indications, such as interest and unemployment rates, are sending conflicting signals about the state and future of the global economy. In this issue of the HBR Executive Agenda, HBR editor at large Adi Ignatius asked CEOs from HBR Executive’s…

Check out the latest season of Coaching Real Leaders to go behind closed doors with executive coach Muriel Wilkins to tackle leadership blockers.

As companies have struggled to get value out of new AI tools, some have decided to combine technology and HR departments under a single leader. But is that really the best solution for the problem of how to align talent and technology strategies? Three experts…

To better support employees with chronic mental illnesses, companies could do more to help them develop coping strategies during non-symptomatic periods. These strategies include leveraging professional support, determining appropriate psychiatric medications…

Agentic AI is revolutionizing sales by enabling autonomous personal agents to work alongside human sales reps, identifying, nurturing, and closing deals across channels. This technology not only automates routine tasks but also anticipates next steps, adapts…

What it takes to rebuild confidence, culture, and competitive edge.

A conversation with Stanford’s Melissa Valentine about how organizations can use online labor markets and AI tools to reshape collaboration.

AI is reshaping work, but eliminating entry-level jobs is short-sighted. These roles are crucial for developing future leaders, fostering innovation, enriching organizational culture, and protecting society. Instead of cutting these jobs, companies should…

Multinational companies often stumble in emerging markets because they underestimate how long success takes to materialize—a phenomenon known as the temporal optimism trap. Drawing on GlaxoSmithKline’s contrasting experiences with two asthma medications,…

Disruptive innovation takes many forms, often shaped by customer needs and persistent experimentation. It is associated with famous figures like Jensen Huang or Henry Ford, but another leader in disruptive innovation? Julia Child. Child revolutionized American…

Harvard Business School’s Leslie John and Alison Wood Brooks on how curiosity, listening, and phrasing can strengthen trust and improve decisions.

If you’re a leader of transformation, you might feel like you’re in a constant “inner battle,” torn between the agency that fuels action and the ambivalence that breeds hesitation. This clash isn’t a defect; it’s the very tension that enables transformational…