Inspirational leadership is not about lofty speeches or titles. It involves guiding teams toward a meaningful vision, nurturing their strengths, and creating an environment where people feel motivated and valued. The emphasis should lie in seeing beyond immediate obstacles and connecting team efforts to a larger purpose. Vision Beyond Immediate Challenges A leader’s vision acts…
Carolyn Geason-Beissel / MIT SMR | Getty Images In a time of perpetual disruption, competitive advantage no longer belongs to those with the best-laid plans but to those who can adapt quickly, think deeply, and act intentionally. These 10 articles from MIT Sloan Management Review reveal strategic insights from executives, researchers, and thought leaders confronting…
Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR | Getty Images Recent, dramatic growth in robot adoption across an increasing number of global industries has sparked avid interest in the impact robots will have in the workplace — particularly which jobs they will replace and whether any new jobs will be created for humans.1 Our recent research focused primarily on…
Artificial intelligence is poised to be the next disruptive work technology. But as it rapidly spreads across industries and occupations, it’s hard to separate the hype and cynicism from the reality of how it will impact the workplace. Some observers foresee the technology obliterating careers, leading to mass layoffs and unemployment. Advocates, on the other…
In the premiere episode of MIT SMR’s new video series, Leaders at All Levels, GE Appliances CEO Kevin Nolan discusses how a distributed leadership strategy delivered remarkable results. Seeking to boost corporate agility, Nolan made a decision that would terrify some CEOs: He gave up full control and pushed power down to all levels of…
Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR | Getty Images Are we wisely waiting or merely drifting? That’s a question many corporate leaders will be asking themselves in the coming weeks and months. Uncertainty is not a new concept. But today’s political uncertainty — epitomized by the U.S. tariff edicts and global responses to them, ranging from threats to…
Matt Harrison Clough Have your meetings become routine? The underlying dynamics of meetings often go unnoticed and unchecked. But savvy leaders run meetings like elite sports coaches choregraph games using a series of plays. These leaders scan for potentially destructive meeting red flags and seize subtle opportunities to enhance team success and individual growth. In…
Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR | Getty Images Respect, at its core, isn’t supposed to be partisan, political, or tribal. In societies like the U.S., basic respect and dignity should be accorded to everyone. It’s not supposed to matter whether you’re a CEO or a CEO’s assistant, religious or agnostic, Black or White. The claim is this:…
Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR | Getty Images Companies across a wide range of industries are increasingly focused on using artificial intelligence to gain a competitive edge and unlock productivity gains. Given the transformational potential of the technology, it’s not surprising that private equity investors are also seeking to harness the power of AI in their portfolios.…
Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR | Getty Images The interpersonal skills that are integral to human-centered leadership are often called “soft” skills, but they’re what underpins the hard work of managing. Empathy, emotional regulation, taking time to read people: These are the skills associated with high emotional intelligence that enable leaders to build cohesive teams and successfully…