HBR On Leadership How Business Leaders Can Help Solve the World’s Toughest Problems
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Oct 22, 2025 
Rosabeth Moss Kanter, a Harvard Business School professor and author of Think Outside the Building, argues for a new breed of business leader—one who tackles societal issues like climate change and social inequality. She shares compelling examples of companies like CVS transforming health and the importance of coalition-building. Kanter emphasizes that individual employees can drive change through small innovations and experimentation. With curiosity and a commitment to purpose, advanced leaders are crucial for creating impactful, lasting change in our world.
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Build Coalitions Beyond Your Company
- Build coalitions beyond your company's walls because big problems cannot be solved by one organization alone.
- Partner with governments, other companies, and communities to scale solutions effectively.
Use Institutional Power Purposefully
- Use your company's institutional power and resources to address social problems and regain public trust.
- Mobilize available expertise and networks to run campaigns, launch products, or influence policy.
Start With One Small Step
- Start with one small action to break the cycle of helplessness and build momentum.
- Iterate: try it, fix it if needed, and try something else until you gain traction.
