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
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? 10:08
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.
6/30
2022
Ask Insight | How Can Entrepreneurs Develop a Stellar Sales Pitch? 9:55
On this episode of The Insightful Leader’s “Ask Insight,” two seasoned entrepreneurs share wisdom from the trenches.
6/29
2022
Ask Insight | Managing Up, Managing Across, and Retaining Your Best Employees 15:01
On this episode of The Insightful Leader’s “Ask Insight”: you asked and our faculty answered. We dig into a mailbox of listener questions on leadership and management.
6/13
2022
What One School District’s Fiasco Says About the Strengths and Limits of AI 22:53
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: When Boston Public Schools looked to algorithms to solve equity issues and save money, it ran into a roadblock—the complicated lives of parents and students.
5/23
2022
Executive Presence—Do You Have It? [Rerun] 18:50
This week, an episode from the archives: It’s not enough to be good at your job. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, learn how to develop the gravitas that commands attention and respect.
5/2
2022
What People Get Wrong about Setting Goals 11:05
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we hear how leaders can help their teams—and themselves—turn ambitious goals into reality.
4/11
2022
What Should DEI Work Actually Look Like? 14:31
On this episode of The Insightful Leader’s “Ask Insight”—where our listeners ask questions of our faculty experts respond—we learn that changing the status quo will take self-reflection and time.
3/21
2022
How to Design Incentives That Motivate Employees 14:00
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we learn why it’s not always as simple as handing out a performance bonus.
3/7
2022
Cybersecurity, Part 2 | How to Respond to a Breach 13:19
In the second episode of our two-part series, former NSA director Mike Rogers discusses what to do if your defensive tactics have failed and your network is exposed.
2/28
2022
Cybersecurity, Part 1 | How to Avoid Becoming a Target 14:36
In the first episode of our two-part series, former NSA director Michael Rogers shares strategies for protecting your organization from a cyberattack.
2/8
2022
How to Lead a Great Virtual Meeting 10:58
Zoom doesn't have to be a drag. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we discuss some rules of the road.
1/17
2022
Are You Promoting the Right People to Management? 15:42
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: How to identify leadership talent—and how to advance the careers of employees who aren’t looking to manage others.
12/27
2021
How to Lead During Difficult Times 11:44
The good news is you may already have the skills you need. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we’ll learn about doubling down on that expertise to help your team through a crisis.
12/13
2021
Why You Need a Working Knowledge of AI 13:39
Business leaders can’t rely solely on data scientists to get the job done. Learn more on this episode of The Insightful Leader.
11/29
2021
Businesses Can Slow Climate Change. Here’s How. 13:50
Individual actions won’t be enough to slow global warming. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, learn how companies—and the people who lead them—need to get involved.
11/8
2021
The Art of Giving Good Feedback 16:34
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: how to talk so that your team (and boss) will listen.
10/25
2021
Why Conspiracy Theories Abound—and How to Push Back 11:59
COVID conspiracies have a powerful psychological allure. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we explore how to combat them.
9/29
2021
How One CEO Is Making Tough Decisions about In-Person Work 15:11
Some employees moved out of state. Others don't want to be in the office. And not everyone is vaccinated. On this episode of The Insightful Leader: What happens now?
9/22
2021
Now's the Time to Negotiate for the job—or Salary or Flexibility—You Want 17:53
Tips from an expert negotiator on how to ask without fear.
8/30
2021
Got a Great Idea? Here's How to Get People on Board. 13:30
On this episode: You’re going to have to do more than sell it.
7/29
2021
How Should Companies Engage with Social Movements? 16:36
The stakes have never been higher. Learn more on this episode of The Insightful Leader.
4/7
2021
How to Tell Compelling Stories with Data Visualizations 12:24
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: a blueprint for making strong (and honest) arguments with data.
3/3
2021
How Can We Ramp Up Innovation? 14:57
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: what the data say about successful entrepreneurs and the types of policies that best support them.
2/10
2021
How to Boost Your Emotional Intelligence 13:54
Strong leadership is about more than being the smartest person in the room. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we offer tips to become more aware of yourself and those around you.
12/23
2020
To Lead Through a Crisis, You Need the “Straight, Unvarnished Truth” 21:34
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: Carbon’s Ellen Kullman, former CEO of DuPont, on having the right people around to hold up a mirror.
12/10
2020
A 3-Step Process for Selling (Anything) Virtually 16:19
Tip: It’s not over when the Zoom call ends. Learn more on this episode of The Insightful Leader.
11/16
2020
Feeling Stuck? Here’s How to Move Your Career Forward 16:08
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, get practical advice for detecting your blind spots—and pushing past them.
8/18
2020
Thinking about Adopting a Contact-Tracing App for Your Company? Here’s What to Keep in Mind. 24:40
The technology can help reopen workplaces—but only if your employees trust it. On this special episode of The Insightful Leader, three experts discuss how to earn that trust.
7/31
2020
How a Century-Old Family Business Is Adapting to the Pandemic 25:36
On this special episode of The Insightful Leader: a conversation with the chairman and the CEO of Griffith Foods about leading with purpose during the crisis.
7/2
2020
“This Is a Time for Management Teams to Earn Their Stripes.” 20:20
On this special episode of The Insightful Leader, veteran venture capitalist Woody Marshall discusses the investment landscape and the importance of leadership through the pandemic.
6/24
2020
Wayfair Has Seen a Spike in New Customers. Here’s How It Plans to Keep Them. 21:24
On this special episode of The Insightful Leader, a conversation with the company’s chief merchandising officer about adapting for an unprecedented future.
6/12
2020
“I’m Looking For Systemic, Permanent Change Right Now” 37:43
Anti-Black racism is deeply embedded in corporate culture. On this special episode of The Insightful Leader, Professor Nicholas Pearce and Google’s Ginny Clarke discuss the moral responsibility of leaders to finally address that.
5/20
2020
Now’s the Time to Hone Your Moral Decision-Making Skills 15:42
A professor and executive coach unpacks this seemingly elusive trait.
4/30
2020
You Can Lead Through a Crisis. But Can You Coach Through One? 12:37
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: three ways to help your employees arrive at their own answers to difficult questions.
4/15
2020
Sure, Take That Zoom Call in Your Sweatpants. It Might Make You a Better Person. 10:20
When we stop compartmentalizing our home and work selves, we tend to act more ethically. Find out why on this episode of The Insightful Leader.
3/30
2020
Designing Social Impact Programs That (Really) Work 14:34
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: if a business is to survive in the long run, it’s no longer enough to make small changes to address inequality and climate change.
3/11
2020
Is Management Training Worth It? 11:40
And which managers stand to benefit most? Find out on this episode of The Insightful Leader.
2/26
2020
When AI Leaves the Lab 15:42
AI is now being used to serve customers. On this episode of The Insightful leader, we discuss trends and potential pitfalls that should be on companies’ radars.
2/20
2020
The (Surprisingly Muddy) Case for Transparency 13:35
Economists prize sharing information. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we ask if that’s always the right move.
2/3
2020
How to Give Feedback That’s Actually Helpful 9:03
Forget the “feedback sandwich.” On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we’ll tell you how to up your game.
1/17
2020
Do Bosses Who Trust Their Employees Deliver More Innovation? 13:55
On this episode of The Insightful Leader, learn when you should—and shouldn’t—give your team room to fail.
12/18
2019
When Teams Mess Up, Who Takes the Fall? 11:24
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: how to make sure you’re not blaming the wrong person.
12/3
2019
How You Should Divvy Up Work between People and Machines 11:25
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: strategies for building a happier, more productive workplace.
11/20
2019
Be Bold and Get What You Want 12:46
Done playing it safe? On this episode of The Insightful Leader, a three-time CEO offers advice on how to make difficult requests.
11/6
2019
Can a Little Embarrassment Make Your Team More Creative? 13:38
On this episode of The Insightful Leader: new research suggests an unusual icebreaker to try at your next brainstorming session.
7/16
2019
What Leaders Can Do to Build Trust Quickly 09:12
Lessons from Kellogg’s interim dean on establishing credibility, encouraging criticism, and empowering your team.
5/10
2019
Let Your Purpose Guide Your Career 9:36
How to "align your role with your soul."
4/22
2019
Unleash Your Inner Designer 9:59
You—yes, you!—can use design thinking to find creative solutions to your customers’ problems.
3/21
2019
Great Leaders Ask, "What Really Matters?" 9:38
Former Fortune 500 CEO Harry Kraemer discusses how knowing and acting on your values can guide you through a crisis.
3/7
2019
Revenge of the Customer Service Rep 9:27
Why employees sabotage customers, and what companies can do about it.
2/13
2019
How Do Those Valentine’s Day Roses End Up in Your Bouquet? It’s Complicated. 9:12
Millions of blooms. Two continents. One day. And a very busy airport.
2/5
2019
Knock Your Next Business Presentation Out of the Park 9:25
From eliminating surprises to setting up the room, the best presenters do a lot more than practice.
1/17
2019
How the Boston Marathon Bombing Created a Rorschach Test for Perceptions of Race 8:57
And how a Kellogg professor found himself unexpectedly involved in the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
12/11
2018
Two Surprising Ways to Predict How Supreme Court Justices Will Vote 12:53
Here’s what a half century of data can tell us.
11/8
2018
Why Entrepreneurs Should Find Their Identities 13:50
Plus, dispelling a pervasive myth about successful entrepreneurs.
10/30
2018
Advice on Advancing Your Career 18:47
Here’s how to connect with headhunters, deliver with data, and ensure you don’t plateau professionally.
9/11
2018
Career Development 18:27
Plus, some valuable career advice that applies to just about everyone.
7/11
2018
NBA Team Composition 15:29
Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey and Kellogg School faculty talk data analytics and team composition.
6/11
2018
Advice on Improving Relationships with Colleagues 16:16
Coworkers can make us crazy. Here’s how to handle tough situations.
