The Insightful Leader

So you've tinkered with AI, but now you want to level up. Here are tips from Kellogg faculty on using the tech more effectively.

Uncertainty is everywhere. On this episode of The Insightful Leader, we examine the effect of geopolitics on everything from Barbies to Sharpies.

Millions of blooms. Two continents, One day. And a very busy airport. On this (rerun) episode, we hear how our favorite symbol of love gets from point A to point B.

Tim Calkins, marketing professor at Kellogg and strategy expert, breaks down influencer marketing’s rise and why social-media testimonials feel real. He explores TikTok’s algorithm and niche creator communities. He explains how brands find the right creators, trade control for authenticity, and test and boost creator-driven campaigns.

Join Suzanne Mewshin, a management and leadership professor with a flair for social impact, as she unpacks redefining career narratives. She critiques conventional career paths, advocating for purpose over titles. Discover how to uncover your true purpose with the probing question, 'What is yours to do?' and a fun Survivor analogy that highlights your strengths. Plus, learn the importance of recognizing when it's time to pivot and how to turn setbacks into new opportunities. Embrace your unique story and break free from narrow roles!

Steve Frankenery, a Northwestern professor of psychology and marketing, discusses the art of constructive disagreement. He introduces his board game, Point Taken, which helps navigate polarizing topics like hot dogs and politics by emphasizing calmness and clarity. Listeners learn the importance of emotional readiness, humility, and the power of writing to enhance arguments. The conversation also highlights practical rules for leaders to foster better discussions, including avoiding personal attacks and changing conversation goals, making disagreements productive rather than divisive.

Leigh Thompson, a Kellogg professor specializing in negotiations, shares her insights on workplace bargaining. She emphasizes the importance of building rapport before negotiating to foster better relationships. Leigh discusses collaborative approaches for addressing supplier issues and offers strategies for negotiating headcount during hiring freezes using data-driven arguments. Additionally, she advises on coaching long-tenured employees to reskill by co-creating development plans. The overarching theme is putting relationships first to ensure mutual benefits in negotiations.

There's no "correct" approach to laying people off, but on this episode of The Insightful Leader, we discuss how you can maintain your integrity through the process.

Exploring the danger of complacency, an executive coach shares stories of leaders who struggled with comfort over risk. They delve into the repercussions of holding onto toxic employees and the perils of non-decisions in leadership. The impact of mergers on communication and the inefficacy of unproductive meetings are discussed. Emphasis is placed on authentic conversation and shifting focus towards customer interactions for growth. Lastly, leaders are urged to reflect on whether their choices stem from comfort or fear.

When Kellogg's Craig Wortmann lost a portion of his leg to cancer, he felt like he lost part of his identity, too. On this episode of The Insightful Leader podcast, he offers a guide to "bouncing back better."