Leadership
The Lessons for CEOs in the Turmoil at the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times
As they ended political endorsements at their respective newspapers, writes Yale SOM leadership expert Jeffrey Sonnenfeld , Jeff Bezos and Patrick Soon-Shiong provided a master class in how not to announce and explain a sudden change in direction.
In Defense Of Dual-Class Shares
The two-tiered structures, which offer more voting power to some shareholders, are frequently maligned. But Yale SOM leadership and corporate governance expert Jeffrey Sonnenfeld writes that they endow companies with a host of advantages, including a better return to investors.
Small Changes, Big Results: Research-Backed Tips for Living a Good Life in 2025
We asked Yale SOM faculty for their best tips on living happily, healthily, and productively in the new year.
A Very Un-American Response to the Murder of Brian Thompson
Disturbingly, a vocal fringe has cheered the murder of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, write Yale SOM leadership expert Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and co-author Steven Tian, but most Americans admire business leaders and see them as a stabilizing force.
What Critics of Pfizer Are Getting Wrong
The activist investment firm Starboard Value has launched a proxy fight again Pfizer, questioning the company’s management under CEO Albert Bourla. Yale SOM’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and co-author Steven Tian write that the critics are demonstrating the same impatience that has led investors to underestimate Pfizer in the past.
How to Lay People Off with Humanity
Layoffs may sometimes be necessary, writes Yale SOM’s Emma Seppälä, but they are painful, both for departing employees and those remaining in what can be a demoralized and overworked organization. She offers research-based guidance for making the process more compassionate and less disruptive.
CEOs Are More Optimistic about the Economy Than the Rest of Us, and They’re Probably Right
At Prof. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld’s Yale CEO Caucus last week, the vast majority of the business leaders in attendance said they expect a soft landing. Sonnenfeld and co-author Steven Tian write that the economic indicators back up the CEOs.
Is the Era of Shareholder Primacy Over?
Five years ago, the Business Roundtable released a revised statement of purpose asserting companies exist to create value for all stakeholders, reversing a longstanding focus on maximizing shareholder value. The move got a lot of attention. Did it make a difference?
How to Keep a Workplace Happy in a Divided Political Moment
Yale SOM’s Heidi Brooks says banning politics from the office will be less effective than focusing on a culture of respect.
Has Starbucks Finally Found the Right Leader?
For more than two decades, the coffee empire has tried and failed to find a lasting successor to longtime CEO Howard Schultz. Yale SOM leadership expert Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, with co-authors Steven Tian and Stephen Henriques, provides an insider’s view of the drama and explains why Chipotle’s Brian Nicoll might be the right person for the job.
Olympic Lessons: Leadership and Fun
In advance of the Paris 2024 Olympics, we asked Yale SOM faculty for their take on this global sporting event. Are there lessons they draw from the Games, or do they watch just for fun?
