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Leadership

Speaker Mike Johnson’s ‘Profiles in Courage’ Moment

Yale SOM leadership expert Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and co-author Steven Tian write that the House Speaker displayed rare courage in learning on the job and defying extremists in his own party—and draw historical parallels to an ideological conversion that changed the course of the Cold War.

House Speaker Mike Johnson speaking to the press, in a wide image from behind
  • The Jack Welch That I Knew

    Jack Welch, the legendary CEO of GE, died on March 1. Yale SOM leadership expert Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, who knew him for decades, writes that Welch was flawed but brilliant, an innovator and icon of industrial imagination.

    Jack Welch
  • Jane Mendillo ’84 on Partnership

    Jane Mendillo ’84, a member of the board of directors of General Motors and the former CEO of the Harvard Management Company, on how her partnership with her husband, Ralph Earle ’84, has formed the foundation for her life and career.

    An illustration of couple showing each of their careers
  • Should Government Run on Rules or Principles?

    Janhabi Nandy ’09, an official at the Treasury Board of Canada, makes the case that a nuanced, principle-based approach can make government more effective.

    Ottawa's Parliament Centre Block. Photo: Michael Runkel/Alamy Stock Photo.
  • Why David Calhoun Is The Right Choice for Boeing Right Now

    Yale SOM’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld writes that the company made the right move by turning to a knowledgeable insider instead of making a clean sweep.

    A Boeing 737 Max airplane during a test flight in Renton, Washington, in December 2019. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren.
  • How Meritocracy Worsens Inequality—and Makes Even the Rich Miserable

    Yale Law School’s Daniel Markovits argues that rather than democratizing American society, meritocracy has contributed to increasing inequality and the decline of the middle class.

    An illustration of people in business attire starting a race with one ahead of the others
  • Even Small Businesses Need Corporate Governance

    For startups and family businesses, establishing a professionalized, independent board and other aspects of corporate governance tend to be far down the priority list. Two experts explain why investing in corporate governance is critical to long-term success.

    Illustration of a small team at a table sitting on top of a larger table with board members
  • What Does Carlos Ghosn’s Escape from Japan Say about the State of Global Commerce?

    Yale SOM’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld writes that while global executives may be cheering Carlos Ghosn’s dramatic escape, they should worry about the trends behind his legal peril.

    Carlos Ghosn leaving the Tokyo Detention House in April 2019. Photo: The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images.
  • How to Make the Most of Next Year—According to the Research

    We asked faculty with expertise in strategy, psychology, competition, and organizational design for their best ideas to make 2020 a year filled with accomplishment and purpose.

    The sun rising over mountains and a lake
  • In Finance Field, Gender Disparities Are Significant—But Shrinking

    More women are being hired for finance positions at top business schools, according to a study co-authored by Yale SOM's Heather Tookes, but progress is slow. The study suggests that this may be due to limited collaborator networks.

    Detail from "Graduates" by Judy Pokras
  • By Intervening in Disciplinary Process, Trump Weakens Military Command Structure

    Leadership experts Jeffrey Sonnenfeld of Yale SOM and General Thomas Kolditz of Rice University write that Trump’s interference in the Gallagher case violates a key principle of military law and undermines the military command structure.

    Former Navy