Knowledge at Wharton Ripple Effect: The State of Leadership in Uncertain Times | Mike Useem
Feb 3, 2026
Mike Useem, Wharton management professor and leadership scholar, discusses how leadership must evolve in uncertain times. He covers why leadership matters more during uncertainty. He urges leaders to learn by observing, explore innovation like AI up close, seek diverse perspectives, develop mid‑rank leaders, and use mentoring and after‑action reviews to keep improving.
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Actively Study Leadership Habits
- Become a deliberate student of leadership by observing others and learning constantly.
- Mike Useem advises looking at senior people, peers, and varied contexts to acquire new leadership skills.
Leave The Office To See Innovation
- Get out of your office and your comfort zone to see how innovation is unfolding elsewhere.
- Serve on other boards and engage with professional associations to gather fresh ideas.
CEO Took A Learning Tour
- A banking CEO took a multi-month learning tour visiting nearly 50 companies including Apple and Walmart.
- He left day-to-day operations to his COO to absorb fintech and innovation ideas firsthand.
