Be a more informed and strategic leader. Listen to our flagship podcast for the latest research and ideas from the faculty of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Learn everything from how to hire and motivate teams to how to tackle long-term challenges like cybersecurity and climate change.
The Insightful Leader
11/12
2024
How Huy Fong’s Sriracha Went from Hot to Not 21:25
When missteps knocked the famous “rooster sauce” off its pedestal, a competitor seized the moment. On this episode of The Insightful Leader: why one brand sizzled and the other fizzled.
10/25
2024
How to Grow as a Leader Without Burning Yourself Out 14:17
In this episode of The Insightful Leader, a former president at Kraft Foods explains why “sometimes just working harder is a complete waste of time.”
10/13
2024
Third-Party Cookies Are Crumbling. What’s a Marketer to Do? 17:17
New rules are making it harder to track customers’ online behaviors. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we look at what this means for companies large and small.
6/18
2024
Why Italy’s Economy Offers a Cautionary Tale for the U.S. 16:32
Since the 1990s, taxes, debt, and regulations have hamstrung the Italian economy. On this episode of The Insightful Leader: Could America be next?
5/16
2024
Why You Need a Killer Answer to “So, What Do You Do?” 13:31
A great response to this question can open doors. On this episode of The Insightful Leader: we’ve got tips for fine-tuning your answer.
4/26
2024
When AI Becomes a TA 13:19
Curious about using AI at work? On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we hear from one professor who found a fascinating, low-stakes way to bring AI into his workplace: the classroom.
4/12
2024
What’s It Take to Get on a Board, Anyway? 17:30
It’s not like applying for a job. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, an expert demystifies the process.
4/3
2024
AI Is a Tool. How Do We Want to Use It? 17:57
Generative AI is like “a hammer looking for a nail.” On this episode of The Insightful Leader: we have to decide what the nail should be.
3/15
2024
Need to Make a Point? Tell a Good Story. 10:30
Plus: more leadership advice in this episode of The Insightful Leader’s “Ask Insight” series.
3/4
2024
Need Product Inspiration? Meet Your Customer in the Wild. 21:43
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: a consumer anthropologist takes us behind the scenes as she interviews a “pet parent.”
2/16
2024
Can Complexity Science Help Us Understand Organizations? 15:17
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: From climate change to neuroscience, this new approach is reshaping how we study complicated systems.
2/2
2024
The Complicated Promise of ESG 19:54
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: Are companies as socially responsible as they claim? And how much should investors care?
1/16
2024
How Should You Present Yourself at Work? 22:34
Be yourself! No, not like that. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we help you navigate the competing advice about how much to share and hold back.
12/20
2023
Get Inside Your Customer’s Mind 15:30
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: how understanding consumer mindsets can help you make the sale.
11/20
2023
Using AI Comes with a Trade-off. Now Multiply That by 8 Billion. 15:22
On this episode of The Insightful Leader podcast: what happens when everyone uses the same generative AI tools?
11/3
2023
Avoiding the Likeability Trap at Work 10:51
Plus: insecure employees and a flagging culture. On this episode of The Insightful Leader’s “Ask Insight,” more from our conversation with Professor Harry Kraemer.
10/30
2023
You're The Boss! Now What? 11:45
On this episode of The Insightful Leader’s “Ask Insight,” Professor Harry Kraemer discusses how to lead your former peers and build trust with your team.
8/28
2023
The Case for Admitting (Some) Flaws at Work 11:20
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: Why showing vulnerability can actually be a boon for leaders.
8/14
2023
Platforms Are Experimenting on Their Users … a Lot. Is That Okay? 15:18
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: Opaque algorithms on platforms like LinkedIn, Uber, and TaskRabbit have more power than ever. It’s starting to impact livelihoods.
6/12
2023
How to Prepare for Your New Algorithmic Coworker 17:11
For better or worse, generative AI is here to stay. On this episode of The Insightful Leader: What could it mean for you and your team?
5/22
2023
How to Discuss Poor Performance with Your Employee 17:30
Giving negative feedback is not easy, but such critiques can be meaningful for both parties if you use the right roadmap. Get advice on this episode of The Insightful Leader.
5/1
2023
How to Tell Compelling Stories with Data Visualizations 13:10
We're back with an episode from the archives. On this episode of The Insightful Leader: a blueprint for making strong (and honest) arguments with data.
4/17
2023
How to Discuss Politics When You Disagree 17:43
Talking politics in this polarized climate is a dicey proposition. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, an expert in the psychology of persuasion offers tips on how to approach the topic constructively.
3/29
2023
Is There a Right Way to Monitor Worker Productivity? 17:22
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we consider the benefits and drawbacks of keeping a very close eye on employees.
3/16
2023
“It’s Hard to Regulate U.S. Banks!” 16:58
Silicon Valley Bank spectacularly collapsed—and a new analysis suggests that its precarious situation is not as much of an outlier as we’d hope. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we learn what went wrong and what should happen next.
3/6
2023
Workers Are Stressed Out. Here's How Leaders Can Help. 15:20
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: You can’t always control what happens at work. But reframing setbacks, and instituting some serious calendar discipline, can go a long way toward reducing stress.
2/13
2023
How Last Fall’s Climate Bill Is Creating Opportunities for Businesses 10:36
With major incentives starting to kick in, here’s how the legislation is poised to affect the economy.
1/30
2023
How Letting Teams Fail Can Help Them Succeed 10:41
It can be tempting for leaders to swoop in to solve problems. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we hear from a U.S. Army colonel about why doing so is a disservice.
1/16
2023
What to Expect When Joining a Family-Owned Business 13:05
There are cons—but a lot of pros, too. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we’ll explore what it’s like to work at a family business when you’re not a family member.
1/3
2023
Does Your Life Reflect What You Value? 10:53
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, a former CEO explains how to organize your life around what really matters—instead of trying to do it all.
12/5
2022
How to Engage a Disengaged Employee 12:16
Don’t give up on checked-out team members. Try these strategies instead.
11/18
2022
What the FTX Meltdown Means for the Future of Crypto 19:39
The implosion of the crypto exchange has sent the industry reeling. We dig into what happened and whether cryptocurrency, as a concept, can weather the storm.
