Podcast · 52 episodes
HBR On Leadership
by Harvard Business Review · English
Leadership isn’t just a personality trait, it’s a set of skills that you can build. Whether you’re managing up or motivating a team, HBR On Leadership is your destination for insights and inspiration from the world’s top leadership practitioners and experts. Every Wednesday, the editors at the Harvard Business Review hand-picked case studies and conversations with global business leaders, management experts, academics, from across HBR to help you unlock the best in those around you.
Latest episodes
How Leaders Create the Conditions for Innovative ThinkingHow leaders enable repeatable innovation by creating conditions for co-creation, scaling experiments, and making decisive choices under ambiguity.24 Jun 2026 · 31 min
An Announcement from HBR On LeadershipHBR on Leadership announces it is pausing new episodes; the final episode in the feed redirects listeners to HBR IdeaCast and a leadership newsletter.24 Jun 2026 · 2 min
Why Speed and Trust Are Critical to Solving Hard ProblemsHow leaders solve hard, layered problems by building trust first, then using speed to create momentum and execute change.17 Jun 2026 · 29 min
All episodes
How Leaders Create the Conditions for Innovative ThinkingHow leaders enable repeatable innovation by creating conditions for co-creation, scaling experiments, and making decisive choices under ambiguity.24 Jun 2026 · 31 min · 13 chapters
An Announcement from HBR On LeadershipHBR on Leadership announces it is pausing new episodes; the final episode in the feed redirects listeners to HBR IdeaCast and a leadership newsletter.24 Jun 2026 · 2 min · 3 chapters
Why Speed and Trust Are Critical to Solving Hard ProblemsHow leaders solve hard, layered problems by building trust first, then using speed to create momentum and execute change.17 Jun 2026 · 29 min · 11 chapters
How to Actually Finish What You Need to Get DoneHow to finish what you need to get done using time boxing—pre-scheduling specific tasks for specific durations to enable single-tasking, reduce overwhelm, and improve follow-through.11 Jun 2026 · 25 min · 12 chapters
How to Cultivate Your “Personal Power” as a LeaderHow leaders build “personal power” (belief in one’s capability to create impact) that isn’t tied to formal hierarchy, and how to cultivate it through three foundations: sense of…3 Jun 2026 · 26 min · 13 chapters
How Shake Shack Balanced Digitalization with Its Hospitality EthosShake Shack’s digital transformation (kiosks, mobile ordering, AI) while preserving its hospitality ethos and guest experience.27 May 2026 · 29 min · 15 chapters
Getting Buy-In for Your Next Big IdeaHow middle managers and other leaders can get buy-in for “next big ideas” by selling the issue upward, not just pitching solutions.20 May 2026 · 30 min · 16 chapters
Redefining What Efficiency Means in the Age of AIHow to redefine “efficiency” in the AI era—shifting from quantity/productivity to the quality of human thinking, ideas, and learning—using neuroscience “states of mind.”13 May 2026 · 30 min · 12 chapters
Communicating with Confidence When You’re Under PressureHow to communicate with confidence under pressure—especially when stressed, tired, or delivering messages you don’t agree with—by reducing reactivity, listening, checking your frame, and anchoring to…7 May 2026 · 34 min · 14 chapters
Build Your Resilience in the Face of Tough ChangeIdentity at work under sudden disruption; how to frame unforeseen change, adapt, and grow through it (including AI-driven workplace change).29 Apr 2026 · 25 min · 13 chapters
Making the Shift from Individual Contributor to LeaderHow to transition from individual contributor to leader, including women’s self-doubt, how to be perceived as a leader without a title, and how to do it virtually.22 Apr 2026 · 38 min · 17 chapters
Scaling a Business Beyond the Family PlaybookMulti-generational scaling of Johnson Security Bureau, a 62-year-old South Bronx physical security firm, and whether to expand in New York, expand geographically, or pivot into cybersecurity.15 Apr 2026 · 31 min · 14 chapters
Is Your Company Suffering from Initiative Overload?Initiative overload—how too many “signature” projects from leaner, faster-moving organizations overwhelm middle managers and frontline employees, creating burnout and turnover.8 Apr 2026 · 23 min · 10 chapters
When You’re Worn Down—and Your Team Is TooHow managers can recover “joy” and prevent burnout from spreading to their teams, especially when worn down or working remotely.1 Apr 2026 · 23 min · 15 chapters
The Most Successful Leaders Never Stop LearningDavid Novak argues that the most successful leaders never stop learning, defining learning as building know-how through people/environment experiences, habitual curiosity (listening, better…25 Mar 2026 · 28 min · 12 chapters
What It Takes to Execute a Successful Company TurnaroundHow to diagnose and execute a successful company turnaround, emphasizing culture, people, execution, communications, and selective strategic bets.18 Mar 2026 · 29 min · 10 chapters
Looking Back on Nike’s Evolution from Startup to Global EnterprisePhil Knight (Nike co-founder) reflects on Nike’s evolution from a startup to a global enterprise, focusing on innovation culture, product breakthroughs, and leadership succession (Dan McGinn…11 Mar 2026 · 20 min · 14 chapters
Why Storytelling Matters When Changing Company CultureHow leaders can change company culture to support transformational strategy using authentic, leader-led storytelling that spreads through employee-shared narratives.4 Mar 2026 · 31 min · 13 chapters
Combatting Cynicism in Your OrganizationHow workplace cynicism spreads and harms individuals, relationships, and organizational performance—and how to “de-cynicize” teams.25 Feb 2026 · 30 min · 14 chapters
Why Most Projects Fail—and How to Achieve Better OutcomesThe “project economy” and why most projects fail; leadership focus, sponsorship, prioritization, and shifting from process to outcomes.18 Feb 2026 · 25 min · 10 chapters
Asking for Help When Others Look to You for AnswersWhy self-sufficient leaders struggle to ask for help, and how asking for help improves competence, performance, and team culture.4 Feb 2026 · 26 min · 15 chapters
Where to Look for Ethical Risk Inside a CompanyHow to spot “integrity gaps” inside companies before they turn into scandals, fines, or reputational damage, using measurement and hotspot detection rather than one-size-fits-all compliance.28 Jan 2026 · 25 min · 13 chapters
When Leading a Global Team, Don’t Leave Connection to ChanceHow to lead globally distributed teams without misunderstandings by building connection, trust, and context through mutual adaptation, “structuring unstructured time,” cultural intelligence, and…21 Jan 2026 · 19 min · 9 chapters
How to Speak with Confidence When You’re Put on the SpotHow leaders can speak confidently when surprised—answering questions, giving feedback, making small talk, and delivering brief toasts—by managing anxiety, using structure, and improving delivery…14 Jan 2026 · 30 min · 14 chapters