Publications

June 2023 (Revised November 2024)
Case

Albert Einstein: Changing the World

By: Robert Simons and Shirley Sun

This case traces the rise of Albert Einstein from a small town in Germany to a towering intellectual leader who revolutionized the field of physics. The case describes his early education and his penchant for individual thinking and non-conformity. A committed... View Details

Keywords: Science; Research; Personal Characteristics; Mission and Purpose; Success; Work-Life Balance; Higher Education; Power and Influence

22 Jun 2022
Book

Four Elements for Finding the Right Career Path

When people contemplate a career change, astute thinking alone won’t necessarily take them in the right direction. Instead, when career changes and other huge life-changing... View Details

Keywords: by Dina Gerdeman

December 2019 (Revised August 2022)
Exercise

Janet Ames (C)

By: Brian Trelstad and Brian Trelstad

The series of Janet Ames cases follow a fictional alumna of Harvard Business School into her consulting career in Boston. Over the series of cases, Ames is first offered the opportunity to join the board of a Boston-based non-profit organization, which offers students... View Details

Keywords: Philanthropy; Board; Non-profit Management; Career Changes And Transitions; Evaluation; Philanthropy and Charitable Giving; Governing and Advisory Boards; Social Enterprise; Social Entrepreneurship; Nonprofit Organizations; Management; Personal Development and Career; United States

January 2023 (Revised May 2023)
Case

Steve Jobs: Changing the World

By: Robert Simons and Shirley Sun

This case traces the life of Steve Jobs who throughout his career flaunted convention and chose an unusual path to success. The case describes how Jobs, as young man, acquired an appreciation for aesthetics and the liberal arts, but was also quick to recognize and... View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Technology; Business Startups; Personal Characteristics; Leadership Style; Innovation; Work-life Balance; Innovation Leadership; Power and Influence; Success; Information Technology Industry; United States

16 Jun 2023
News

On the Move: Adam Laitsas (MBA 2016)

Our “On the Move” series highlights HBS alumni who are taking on new roles and responsibilities. Here we speak with Adam Laitsas (MBA 2016), who was announced as EVP of International Strategy & Business Operations for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) MENA region... View Details

Keywords: marketing; career changes; mixed martial arts; sports; MENA; Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries; Arts, Entertainment

01 Oct 2002
News

A Change of Life

The New York Times, never afraid to tackle the Big Questions, recently looked into the matter of Rob Waldron (MBA '92) and pondered thusly: Does his career switch represent a societal change in America, or... View Details

04 Sep 2019
News

Turning Point: Step Change

Everett Spain (DBA 2014) (illustration by Gisela Goppel) Everett Spain (DBA 2014) (illustration by Gisela Goppel) When I think back on different moments that have shaped who I am, there are a few that stand out. In the first, I was a fourth grader in my hometown of... View Details

August 2022
Teaching Plan

Janet Ames (A), (B), (C), (D)

By: Brian Trelstad

Teaching Plan for HBS Case Nos. 320-076, 320-077, 320-078, and 322-051. The series of Janet Ames cases follow a fictional alumna of Harvard Business School into her consulting career in Boston. Over the series of cases, Ames is first offered the opportunity to join... View Details

Keywords: Philanthropy; Board; Non-profit Management; Career Changes And Transitions; Evaluation; Personal Development and Career; Opportunities; Decision Choices and Conditions; Philanthropy and Charitable Giving; Governing and Advisory Boards; Social Enterprise; Social Entrepreneurship; Nonprofit Organizations; Management; United States

20 Jan 2022
Blog Post

Lessons Learned from My HBS Career Journey in Environmental Sustainability

Lessons Learned from My HBS Career Journey in Environmental Sustainability I began my HBS admissions application essay with the following sentence: “I aspire to help build organizations that are advancing sustainability and addressing the... View Details

April 2014
Supplement

Ingrid Johnson: Reflections on Leading Change

By: Michael Tushman

This case discusses the issue of leading change at the business banking division of Nedbank, a prominent South African bank, between 2005 and 2009. (This timeframe, beginning just 11 years after Apartheid's end, covers Ingrid Johnson's leadership of this division... View Details

Keywords: Leading Change; Restructuring; Personal Development and Career; Commercial Banking; Banking Industry; South Africa

September 2024
Case

Topaz: Navigating Governance, Legacy, and Change

By: Christina R. Wing and Carla Larangeira

Since its founding in 2011, the Garza Sada brothers and their father positioned Topaz among leading family offices in Monterrey, Mexico, with several assets under management. Topaz aspired to have a transformative impact across multiple Mexican industries. An industry... View Details

Keywords: Business Conglomerates; Family Business; Governance; Governing and Advisory Boards; Managerial Roles; Management Succession; Family Ownership; Financial Services Industry; Real Estate Industry; Education Industry; Energy Industry; Latin America; Mexico

30 Jun 2016
Blog Post

4 Ways I've Changed at HBS

There are certain things you come to business school expecting to learn and certain ways you expect you’ll change. Over the course of my first year at HBS, I’ve learned how to prepare a balance sheet and negotiate a job offer—but I’ve also View Details

January 2022 (Revised August 2022)
Case

Jackie Robinson: Changing the World

By: Robert Simons and Max Saffer

This case traces the rise of Jackie Robinson from the poor streets of Pasadena, California to one of the most famous people in America after he overturned the color barrier in baseball. The case describes how as a youth he excelled at basketball, football, baseball,... View Details

Keywords: Diversity; Power And Influence; Personal Characteristics; Values And Beliefs; Mission And Purpose; Sports; Entrepreneurship; Leadership; Leading Change; Personal Development and Career; United States

02 Apr 2019
Research Event

Women Pay a Higher Career Price in Today's Always-On Work Culture

Top leaders of a global consulting firm longed to add more women to its partner ranks, if women would just put in the hours necessary to compete. But mothers would always prioritize their children’s needs over those of clients, they reasoned. There was probably nothing... View Details

Keywords: by Danielle Kost; Consulting; Service

01 Jun 2022
News

Turning Point: Sparking Change

Loyola University Chicago. I arrived early and sat in the empty classroom, reflecting on the fact that this was my chance to introduce the students to my passion—to get them excited about marketing as an art as well as a science. My View Details

01 Mar 2010
News

Light Looks Back on Forty-Year HBS Career

on his career at HBS and what he sees for the School’s future. Looking back over your forty-year career at HBS, what stands out? I guess what impresses me most is how the School continually adapts to the... View Details

Keywords: Roger Thompson; Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools; Educational Services

28 Sep 2021
News

Alumni Connections Drive Career Opportunities for Students

Eric Westphal (MBA 2021) Diego Dzodan (MBA 1999) Eric Westphal (MBA 2021) Diego Dzodan (MBA 1999) As the impact of COVID-19 on individuals and businesses grew in intensity last year, HBS Career & Professional Development (CPD) staff... View Details

Keywords: Becca Carnahan

March 2018
Supplement

Sandra Brown Goes Digital (B): The Commitment Decision

By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Jonathan Cohen

Sandra Brown, a middle manager at a biotech company who has led internal and external movements for change over the last few years, faces a decision. Whether to continue to work for change at the company or move on to pursue new opportunities elsewhere, where her new... View Details

Keywords: Digital; Stakeholder Engagement; Managing Change; Career Path; Health Care Industry; Quality; Leading Change; Management; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Personal Development and Career; Decision Choices and Conditions