The last decade has been a one of soul-searching for business schools worldwide. Since the collapse of Enron, through the financial crisis, to the insider trading and LIBOR scandals, the question just keeps recurring: How did those institutions of higher learning, whose claim is to develop business leaders, influence the conduct of leaders who let so many people down?… Read more
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.insead.edu/2012/11/are-business-schools-clueless-or-evil/
Travelling through Zurich airport, one billboard always catches my eye. The ad for IWC luxury watches says “Engineered for men who don’t need a copilot.”
My friends who study advertising as both a reflection and shaper of cultural norms would not disagree with my impression: We talk about the death of command and control leadership, and praise the rise of a new, more collaborative, breed of leader.… Read more
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.insead.edu/2012/09/why-command-and-control-leadership-is-here-to-stay/
Mel’s hand went up precipitously and unexpectedly, like thunder on a clear day. I had barely begun introducing the leadership course I would be teaching over the coming weeks. “I have a question, Professor.” I gave him the floor.
“What makes you think you can teach us to lead?”
I looked around.… Read more
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.insead.edu/2012/09/who-can-teach-leadership/
A new McKinsey study (PDF) reports statistically what we already knew from personal experience: that mid-career and senior women tend to be found disproportionally in staff jobs, or “pink ghettos,” relative to men. The report tells us that 50% to 65% of women at the vice-president level and higher are in staff roles, compared with only 41% to 48% of men, who are more likely to be in the line jobs that lead to the top.… Read more
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.insead.edu/2012/05/to-close-the-gender-gap-focus-on-assignments/
Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, has been speaking out a lot lately about subtle dynamics that hold women back from reaching senior roles in business. Her TED talk and Barnard commencement speech went viral. Lean in, she says to women, take your place at the table, seize the stage.… Read more
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.insead.edu/2012/02/help-women-take-the-stage/
Continuing on the theme of what the current market uncertainties may mean for leaders and their organizations…
Second, management capabilities will be at a premium. Think of it this way. Normally, managers have, in crude terms, two basic resources to resolve issues and make things work better.… Read more
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.insead.edu/2012/01/leading-during-downturns/
