authenticity - Publications - Faculty & Research

20 Aug 2021
Blog Post

Is the MBA Worth It? Hear What Recent HBS Grads Have to Say

prospective HBS students? The most valuable asset I gained at HBS was the confidence to be myself and chase goals that felt authentic to me instead of pursuing goals for external validation. In this way, I was endowed with the leadership... View Details

28 Sep 2023
News

What Ray Dalio Can Teach Us About Global Venture and Startups

decrease risk, in addition to highlighting the five forces that will shape our future (unsustainable government debt is No. 1). And regarding that bonus item—it has to do with culture, something Dalio is well known for: “Bridgewater’s culture is unique and View Details

January 2024
Case

Sprouts Farmers Market

By: Rajiv Lal, Forest L. Reinhardt and Natalie Kindred

Sprouts Farmers Markets (Sprouts) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based chain of 400-plus natural foods stores in 23 U.S. states and $6.4 billion in sales as of 2022. In its product assortment, brand image, and store environment, Sprouts emphasizes freshness, health, innovation,... View Details

Keywords: Business Model; Growth and Development Strategy; Brands and Branding; Strategic Planning; Sales; Business Strategy; Expansion; Product Positioning; Marketing Strategy; Competition; Retail Industry; United States; Arizona

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Overview

By: Jill J. Avery

Creating Brand Value (MBA elective course)

Overview:

In the consumer/retail space, brands are often companies’ most valuable assets and sources of their sustainable competitive advantage. But, managing brands to achieve their full value potential... View Details

Profile

Joy Chen

diverse people in the way they think and what they aspire to. They’re the reason I’m here. They’re authentic and open to conversations that matter, to forming new emotional bonds and to growing themselves.” Joy applied the resources of... View Details

14 Aug 2023
Blog Post

Crossing the Bridge: A Reflection on the HKS/HBS Joint Degree Program

elected officials and industry titans, and joining this community surrounded by such authentic and humble people has been a blessing. This is truly a magical place. Do you have any advice for prospective students considering a joint... View Details

12 May 2021
Book

The Hard Truth About Being a CEO

blocked by you hanging around. That’s a true warning sign that maybe it’s time for you to move on and do something new.” 5. Strive for authenticity “A lot of CEOs think they have to play a role, like an actor, and I really think that’s a... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding

07 Jun 2023
Blog Post

My One Case: MBA Class of 2023 Looks Back

that are rooted in trust—both in my personal and professional life. As a consultant, I will be working with various groups including clients, peers, and other stakeholders, and I plan to lead with vulnerability and authenticity in a way... View Details

09 Jan 2024
Blog Post

Insights From Harvard Business School’s Peek Program

but also a hub for aspiring leaders across various sectors. In my Authentic Leadership Discussion with Professor DeLong, we discussed the Case Study of Harlem’s Children’s Zone and learned about how his former student Kwame Owusu-Kesse... View Details

30 Sep 2019
Book

6 Steps to Building a Better Workplace for Black Employees

feeling unable to bring their whole selves to work, and believing they should nod in agreement with company values, according to the book. Mayo says creating opportunities for people to bring their authentic selves to work boosts... View Details

Keywords: by Dina Gerdeman

Web

HBR Classics - Alumni

Discovering Your Authentic Leadership , Bill George, Peter Sims, Andrew N. McLean, and Diana Myer Do You Play to Win or Not Lose , Heidi Grant Halvorson, E. Tory Higgins Level 5 Leadership - The Triumph of Humility and Fierce Resolve ,... View Details

11 Sep 2023
Blog Post

Reflections on My First Semester Teaching at HBS

to the visitors - it's intimidating to visit HBS; it definitely took me a month in the classroom to settle into my more authentic self.) 2. Taking risks - In our entrepreneurship teaching group, we talk about how the case method requires... View Details

Profile

Varnika Menghnani

Coming to HBS is like Traveling the world in 637 days. It resembles a local, authentic travel experience: You meet people from all over, move past talking about the weather to real problems they want to solve. You sit and enjoy a meal... View Details

13 Jun 2022
Research & Ideas

Extroverts, Your Colleagues Wish You Would Just Shut Up and Listen

seen as not paying as much attention,” explains Zlatev. They are seen, he says, as “hyper aware of the situation around them, trying to come off in a positive way to others, which can sometimes be seen as acting, like being in a situation and not actually being their... View Details

Keywords: by Pamela Reynolds

24 Apr 2017
Op-Ed

Op-Ed: Courage: The Defining Characteristic of Great Leaders

list of authentic leaders that have made courageous decisions to build great global companies. To quote poet Maya Angelou, “Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue... View Details

Keywords: by Bill George; Auto; Food & Beverage

17 Mar 2021
Blog Post

The Art of Perseverance and Resilience: Reapplying to HBS

As I worked through my two failed attempts, I realized I had the privilege of time to define my professional goals. This allowed me to tell an authentic story in my final application to HBS. I went from trying to impress the admissions... View Details

13 Nov 2023
Blog Post

HBS Veteran Spotlight: Lindsey Chrismon (MBA 2025)

things out, and embracing the core values that make one truly human. Ultimately, it was about lacing up those metaphorical cleats daily, fully committing to the team and the mission. It's in these foundational principles that I found the blueprint for View Details

09 Jun 2022
Blog Post

The MBA Class of 2022 Looks Back

I’m so grateful that I did. From experiencing my first authentic lobster dinner, to walking around the quaint town during a beautiful New England fall weekend, to having deep conversations and lively dance parties with my new friends—it... View Details

16 Jul 2012
Research & Ideas

Are You a Strategist?

While that may sound obvious at face value, it's something that regularly stymies the veteran leaders in Montgomery's executive classes. "We'll be talking about Nike or Apple, and the participants will be praising the authenticity of the... View Details

Keywords: by Carmen Nobel

16 May 2023
Blog Post

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at HBS (part 2)

“American” as a separator; a little line that pushes two worlds apart. I think it’s more powerful to think of it as a bridge. Standing on that bridge, we have access to a unique vantage point. With that comes the opportunity to take attributes of each culture that we... View Details

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