Leadership
Is It Smart to Be a ‘Stupid Genius’ Like Elon Musk?
Yale SOM leadership expert Jeffrey Sonnenfeld asks if the CEO’s eccentricities and forgotten promises are undermining his leadership of Twitter, Tesla, and SpaceX.

Cynicism and Ageism Are Drowning Out Biden’s Accomplishments as He Seeks Second Term
Yale SOM leadership expert Jeffrey Sonnenfeld writes that cynical media coverage and unwarranted concern over Biden’s age have muted the remarkable achievements of his first term.
Remembering Oz Nelson, Who Reinvented UPS
In the 1990s, Nelson modernized the shipping company and gave it a new focus on the customer. Yale SOM’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld remembers the former CEO, who died on April 6.
How Disney’s Bob Iger Outmaneuvered Ron DeSantis
Yale SOM’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld writes that Iger offered a master class in standing up to bullies when he undercut the Florida governor’s attempt to impose new oversight on Walt Disney World.
Just Say No to Handing Putin Control of the UN Security Council
Russia is slated to assume the presidency of the UN Security Council on April 1. Yale SOM’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and former ambassador Jon Huntsman write that the U.S. must exercise its rarely-used veto powers to prevent Russia from using the role to whitewash its invasion of Ukraine.
Why Accountability Needs an Upgrade
In an excerpt from their new book, Conscious Accountability, Yale SOM’s David Tate and his co-authors Marianne Pantalon and Daryn David argue for looking beyond blame and punishment and embracing a form of accountability based on clear communication and mutual trust.
Activist Investor Nelson Peltz’s Track Record Doesn’t Back Up His Bluster
Peltz, the founding partner of Trian Fund Management, is demanding a seat on Disney’s board. Yale SOM’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian found that more than half of the companies with Peltz on their boards have underperformed the market.
The U.S. Has Thwarted Putin’s Energy Blackmail
Yale SOM’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian write that the Biden administration’s balanced approach has helped Europe maintain its natural gas supply while protecting U.S. interests.
Smarter Ways to Look Ahead: Research-Based Suggestions for a Better 2023
We asked faculty from the Yale School of Management to put a scholarly lens on improving our personal and professional lives in the coming year.
The CEOs Who Succeeded and Stumbled in 2022
Yale SOM’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Stevan Tian name five corporate leaders whose accomplishments stood out this year—and five who led their enterprises into rough waters.
Return to the Kingdom: Inside Robert Iger’s Restoration at Disney
Yale SOM leadership expert Jeffrey Sonnenfeld provides an insider’s perspective on the move.