Publications

Article

Moral Dilemmas and Trust in Leaders during a Global Health Crisis

By: Jim A. C. Everett, Clara Colombatto, Edmond Awad, Paulo Boggio, Björn Bos, William J. Brady, Megha Chawla, Vladimir Chituc, Dongil Chung, Moritz A. Drupp, Shristi Goel, Brit Grosskopf, Frederik Hjorth, Alissa Ji, Caleb Kealoha, Judy S. Kim, Yangfei Lin, Yina Ma, Michel André Maréchal, Federico Mancinelli, Christoph Mathys, Asmus L. Olsen, Graeme Pearce, Annayah M. B. Prosser, Niv Reggev, Nicholas Sabin, Julien Senn, Yeon Soon Shin, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Hallgeir Sjåstad, Madelijn Strick, Sunhae Sul, Lars Tummers, Monique Turner, Hongbo Yu, Yoonseo Zoh and Molly J. Crockett

Trust in leaders is central to citizen compliance with public policies. One potential determinant of trust is how leaders resolve conflicts between utilitarian and non-utilitarian ethical principles in moral dilemmas. Past research suggests that utilitarian responses... View Details

Keywords: COVID-19 Pandemic; Impartial Beneficence; Utilitarian Responses; Trust; Ethics; Public Opinion; Leadership Style

Read Now

08 Sep 2022
Book

Gen Xers and Millennials, It’s Time To Lead. Are You Ready?

Bill George boasts long and successful executive stints at Honeywell, Litton Industries, and Medtronic—plus, he coined the term “authentic leadership.” Now, he says he and his fellow Baby Boomers need to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders who can learn to... View Details

Keywords: by Lane Lambert

05 Apr 2004
Research & Ideas

Six Ways to Build Trust in Negotiations

factor in negotiation? You might provide references from mutually trusted third parties that vouch for your character and competence. If appropriate, a third party could communicate with the other side prior to the negotiation—as in the... View Details

Keywords: by Deepak Malhotra

17 Jan 2020
In Practice

6 Traits That Set Top Business Leaders Apart

clarify the complex "They can communicate very clearly and succinctly—usually with short words and short sentences—and even on complex issues. They've developed the skills necessary to really get to the heart of things." Joseph L.... View Details

Keywords: by Danielle Kost

12 May 2021
Book

The Hard Truth About Being a CEO

player, but that he tailored his style of communication to the needs of each. Despite the variation in styles, his goal was to hear what each player needed and adjust his coaching accordingly. Russell said... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding

05 Dec 2018
Research & Ideas

Why Managers Should Reveal Their Failures

share their mistakes as a team-building exercise to improve communication and collaboration. “You can motivate your team to work harder by doing this,” Brooks says. “I know I have felt that way seeing other women who have succeeded. I... View Details

Keywords: by Dina Gerdeman

October 2015
Case

DRW Technologies

By: Stephen A. Greyser and William Ellet

Ed Claiborne is a newly hired corporate vice president of procurement for DRW Technologies, a company that produces advanced military systems with 21 plants in the United States. Claiborne was hired from another company from within the industry, and the news of his... View Details

Keywords: Announcements; Management Style; Organizational Structure; Leadership Style; Human Resources

February 2025
Case

Luca de Meo at Renault Group (A)

By: Emily Truelove, Linda A. Hill and Lydia Begag

When Luca de Meo became CEO of Renault Group in 2020, the 122-year-old French automaker faced financial challenges and the double technological disruption of the automotive industry: the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) and the rise of software-defined vehicles (SDVs).... View Details

19 Apr 2011
First Look

First Look: April 19

priorities?; (3) Do I give subordinates timely and direct feedback they can act on? Have I developed a succession roadmap?; and (4) Is my leadership style still effective, and does it reflect who I truly am? This highly readable and... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

26 Nov 2018
Book

Make Your Employees Feel Psychologically Safe

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

18 Mar 2013
HBS Case

HBS Cases: LEGO

managing a balanced business system," says Thomke. "Complexity is something you need to watch very closely." Controlling complexity, clarifying the core of its business, and engaging the larger community helped save the... View Details

Keywords: by Maggie Starvish; Entertainment & Recreation

February 2025
Case

Luca de Meo at Renault Group (A) (Abridged)

By: Emily Truelove, Linda A. Hill and Lydia Begag

When Luca de Meo became CEO of Renault Group in 2020, the 122-year-old French automaker faced financial challenges and the double technological disruption of the automotive industry: the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) and the rise of software-defined vehicles (SDVs).... View Details

October 2003
Case

Henry Tam and the MGI Team

By: Jeffrey T. Polzer, Ingrid Vargas and Hillary Anger Elfenbein

Within a short time frame, seven diverse team members assemble to write a business plan for a new company and struggle to define their roles, make decisions together, and resolve conflict. Henry Tam, a second-year Harvard MBA student, who joins an aspiring start-up... View Details

Keywords: Interpersonal Communication; Business Plan; Groups and Teams; Decision Making; Jobs and Positions; Leadership Style; Human Resources; Management Teams; Conflict and Resolution; Diversity

16 Apr 2001
Research & Ideas

Breaking the Code of Change

gains-sharing plan was introduced to mold union workers and management into a common community of purpose. Throughout the decade of change, there were no layoffs, although many managers at the plant and corporate level were replaced if... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Beer & Nitin Nohria

21 Apr 2021
Research & Ideas

The Pandemic Conversations That Leaders Need to Have Now

change has driven: The rise of knowledge work Trends toward flatter, less hierarchical organizations and recognition of the value-creation of frontline workers Increasing diversity and globalization, creating an awareness of different View Details

Keywords: by Boris Groysberg, Robin Abrahams, and Katherine Connolly Baden

April 2003 (Revised April 2009)
Case

Paul Levy: Taking Charge of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

By: David A. Garvin and Michael Roberto

On January 7, 2002, Paul Levy became CEO of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He took over a troubled organization, in serious financial difficulty. This multimedia case describes the situation Levy inherited, his negotiations prior to taking the job, and his... View Details

Keywords: Communication Strategy; Decision Choices and Conditions; Leadership Style; Leading Change; Managerial Roles; Organizational Culture; Health Industry