The hottest Leadership Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

One and Done Fails (Once Again) With Airpower

Phillips’s Newsletter • 80 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Airpower requires time and careful planning to be effective. Just doing a quick bombing and saying it was a victory doesn't mean it worked.
  2. Claims of completely destroying Iran's nuclear program were likely exaggerated. Real progress takes consistent effort and assessment.
  3. History shows that quick military actions often do not lead to lasting results. It's important to consider how air campaigns are conducted.

The Myth of the Startup in a Large Company

It Depends / Nimble Autonomy • 19 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Large companies often struggle to create a true startup culture. Their existing systems usually stifle the innovation and energy that startups thrive on.
  2. In big companies, the lack of risk and the security of a paycheck can actually kill motivation. Employees may feel less ownership of their projects, which can make them less engaged.
  3. One way to encourage innovation is to create actual independent startups within the company. This allows employees to take risks and have more stake in the outcome, which can lead to better results.

RTO mandates lead to top performers leaving

Make Work Better • 81 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Companies that require workers to return to the office often lose their best employees. This is because top performers are more likely to leave when forced to work in-person.
  2. A lot of workers are willing to use AI tools even without their company's permission. Many feel they haven't received enough training on AI from their employers.
  3. AI is creating new job roles that focus on trust and integration. These jobs involve ensuring AI works ethically and is integrated smoothly into existing systems.

Our Sibling Society (1) and the Problem of Mentoring Young Men who have never met a Responsible Developed Adult

DrV’s Newsletter, Notes, Essays, Articles, Videos, and Book Chapters • 78 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🚌 Education Leadership
  1. The concept of a 'sibling society' describes when society is led by immature impulses rather than responsible adults.
  2. Young men today often lack interactions with responsible adults, making mentoring and teaching challenging.
  3. Good leadership involves clear communication, enrollment of participants, protecting their welfare, and ultimately achieving defined goals.

🐿️ The Leadership Heist - The Insanely Profitable Tech Newsletter

Squirrel Squadron Substack • 3 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Treat your executive team like a heist ensemble. Choose leaders whose talents complement each other so the group can execute complex plans smoothly.
  2. Prefer generalizing specialists (T-shaped people) who can step into multiple roles and back others up. Develop them on the job or assign multiple portfolios rather than hiring only narrow experts.
  3. Hire for low ego, title-blindness, and a willingness to pitch in, because the best hires often don’t match every line on the job spec. Be prepared to sift through candidates and make the most of the skills you find.
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Why things just work around some EMs

Leading Developers • 65 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Proactive engineering managers don't wait for things to happen; they take action on their own. This means making decisions and driving changes even when it's not their direct responsibility.
  2. They ask themselves important questions about their role and the impact they have, such as whether they actively seek feedback and build relationships across the company.
  3. The best managers take ownership of their team's results and aim to improve the overall success of the company, not just focus on technical issues.

TBM 210: Just...

The Beautiful Mess • 1097 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Beware of falling into the "just-ing" trap when facing complex problems - don't rush to simplistic solutions.
  2. Embrace the complexity of a problem before taking action - explore, capture, and then shift to gradual action.
  3. Create an environment that encourages exploring messy situations, making experiments safe, and learning from actions taken.

The Missing Ingredient in Your Ambitious Goals: Macro Focus

The Caring Techie Newsletter • 17 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Macro focus means choosing the right long-term battles and committing to them for months or years, so you manage your career trajectory instead of just your daily to-do list.
  2. Five common patterns stop people from achieving macro focus — unclear goals, juggling too many priorities, not doing enough, doubting the plan, and quitting too soon — and each has a clear fix like getting specific, picking one primary focus, scaling effort, trusting a documented plan, and setting realistic timelines.
  3. Macro focus is a skill you can build by defining what success looks like, making concrete weekly commitments, using checkpoints and external support, and then sticking with the plan long enough for results to compound.

The Sheer Stupidity of Sweating the Small Stuff

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Broken windows theory highlights the impact of respecting the environment on criminal behavior, where fixing small issues can prevent larger violations.
  2. Sweating the small stuff in management can lead to top-heaviness, allowing unproductive managers to justify their positions by focusing on trivial matters.
  3. Overemphasizing minor issues can distract from addressing real problems and lead to ineffective management, ignoring actual priorities and resource allocation.

The Hagakure #87: One Year In

The Hagakure • 92 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. It's important to build a connected system for your team that everyone understands and trusts. This helps improve productivity and makes sure everyone knows their role and responsibilities.
  2. Staying honest and present with your team is key. Being approachable and authentic can help build strong relationships, especially during tough times.
  3. Embracing change quickly is vital, especially when new technologies emerge. Don't hesitate to adapt your strategy and structure to meet new challenges head-on.

Leading Leadership Teams

Suzan's Fieldnotes • 78 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Starting a business, focus on being a leader right from the beginning.
  2. Consider the layers of leadership, from individual roles to organizational dynamics.
  3. Be intentional about building a leadership team, hire thoughtfully and maintain a balance in team size.

You Don’t Work For Your Calendar

The Breaking Point • 199 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Your calendar reflects your values and priorities. Own it.
  2. Make three lists: things you love, hate, and neutral and prioritize them in your schedule.
  3. Reclaim your productivity by spending time on what you love, delegating what you hate, and leaving room for surprises.

Tips on Staying Active as a Busy Engineering Leader

The Healthy Engineering Leader • 59 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Leadership
  1. It's important to stay active, especially if you have a busy job that requires a lot of sitting. Breaking up long periods of sitting can really boost your physical and mental health.
  2. Finding small moments to move during the day can make a big difference. Even a quick walk or stretching can improve your mood and energy levels.
  3. Using tools like standing desks or planning your workouts can help you stay on track. Plus, turning meetings into walking meetings is a fun way to stay active while working.

Beware the Weak Man

Thinking about... • 538 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Identify weak men by their actions, like avoiding real issues and spreading fear rather than facing challenges head-on
  2. Weak men consume the energy of others, pushing for inaction, spread fear, and normalize fear in institutions, leading to harmful consequences
  3. Courage is essential in times of crisis, like supporting Ukraine and democracy, and standing up against the weak men who drive a politics of fear

Exclusive: Healthcare CEO refuses to resign or provide proof of doctorate following Karlstack investigation

Karlstack • 510 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
📰 News Leadership
  1. Questions regarding honesty and qualifications of top executives can severely impact an organization's reputation.
  2. Verification of educational credentials is crucial, especially in sensitive sectors like healthcare.
  3. Investigative journalism plays a vital role in uncovering potential misconduct and ensuring transparency in professional environments.

How much trouble is Starmer in?

Comment is Freed • 74 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Labour doesn't have a clear message for the public about what they stand for. This confusion is hurting their popularity.
  2. The government is facing tough financial challenges but can't easily explain cuts or taxes to the public without a crisis narrative.
  3. Many Labour members are frustrated with Starmer's leadership and may want a new direction soon, especially as tough times are expected ahead.

Is Elon Musk Actually Evil?

Erik Examines • 179 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Elon Musk has been accused of mean and hurtful behavior, including mocking people with disabilities and making offensive comments online. This kind of attitude raises questions about his character.
  2. People often overlook the bad actions of powerful individuals if they have also done good things. Just because someone achieves great advancements doesn't mean they are a good person overall.
  3. True leadership involves caring for others and being present in family life, something many believe Musk fails to do despite his public image as a successful entrepreneur.

Don't be a Knucklehead

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Changing the culture of an organization takes time and persistence. Observing live examples that either support or undermine the target culture is important.
  2. Authority in an organization can easily become unhealthy. It should be used for valid and necessary objectives, not personal preferences or whims.
  3. Military authority is a high-risk activity. Careful selection of leaders based on character is crucial, and continual training on exercising authority responsibly is essential.

Celebrate the Wins

Tippets by Taps • 6 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Founders often work years ahead of the company and see milestones as inevitable, but the rest of the team lacks that context and needs wins acknowledged.
  2. Celebrating achievements shows people that their long hours and sacrifices mattered and gives them a clear story about progress.
  3. Pause to mark meaningful moments with simple rituals—Slack messages, all‑hands, dinners, or small swag—because those shared memories build culture and help the team through tough times.

Trump's "Shock And Awe" Month

The Weekly Dish • 163 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Trump's recent actions are creating a lot of confusion and unpredictability. It's hard to know what he's going to do next.
  2. Despite the chaos, there seems to be a pattern of mistakes and miscalculations. His approach might not be successful in the long run.
  3. The ongoing drama around him keeps people's attention, but it may not lead to meaningful change or improvement. It's important to look beyond the headlines.

What To Do When You're Stuck At A Business That Doesn't Care About Data Science

High ROI Data Science • 357 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Many data scientists in companies that don't prioritize data science end up doing basic reporting and analytics.
  2. Technical management in such companies often lack the understanding and incentives to support data initiatives.
  3. Navigating a lack of data culture and strategy in a company requires significant effort but can lead to valuable career opportunities.

Xi Reduces Role of Private Firms, Hurts Innovation

Japan Economy Watch • 139 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Leadership
  1. Xi Jinping's policies of reducing the role of private firms and emphasizing State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are hurting innovation and economic growth in China.
  2. Under Xi's leadership, China has seen a decrease in high-quality patents, lower productivity in companies, and a dampening of dynamism in the private sector.
  3. By prioritizing SOEs over private companies, Xi is exacerbating the tradeoff between growth and living standards, hindering the potential for increased personal consumption and economic prosperity.

How to Fix No. 10

Comment is Freed • 85 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. The No. 10 operation is struggling to provide clear directions to government departments, leading to mixed messages in political communication.
  2. Changing the team structure and adding experienced advisors can help improve the situation, but the right roles and coordination are crucial.
  3. Lessons from past leaders like Tony Blair show that control and delivery are ongoing challenges for Prime Ministers, and understanding these issues can lead to better management.

The Case of the Missing Employees

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. The CEO's annual letter to shareholders at Amazon did not mention employees or associates, creating a significant absence in acknowledging the workforce's role in the company's success.
  2. The letter also lacked expressions of trust, gratitude, or appreciation, showcasing a lack of recognition for the human element within Amazon and its outcomes.
  3. No mention of Amazon's Leadership Principles in the CEO's communication suggests a shift away from the foundational values that once guided the company's operations, indicating a potential change in cultural direction.

Founder Mode: Elevating Individual Contributors

Rethinking Software • 249 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Founder mode empowers individual contributors by reducing management interference. It allows them to work freely, focusing on their tasks without being micromanaged.
  2. Good founders support and trust their teams instead of controlling them. They believe in hiring smart people and letting them decide how to do their jobs.
  3. Too many managers can create a bloated, inefficient system. Founder mode prevents this by maintaining a lean structure where everyone can contribute effectively.

Me!

The Weasel Speaks • 137 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Leadership
  1. Levels of leadership include position, permission, results, developing people, and developing leaders.
  2. Challenge yourself but give yourself a chance for success.
  3. Success is influenced by factors beyond individual talent and effort.

The Story of Us

The Weasel Speaks • 137 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Understanding your own strengths can be more beneficial than relying on personality assessments like MBTI.
  2. The Working Genius model by Patrick Lencioni highlights the importance of focusing on your strengths and collaborating with others.
  3. Identifying your working genius areas and frustrations can guide you on how to approach projects effectively and work with a team.

Happiness

The Weasel Speaks • 137 implied HN points • 03 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Leadership
  1. Flow and Deep Work involve intense focus and immersion in tasks.
  2. Finding Flow can lead to increased satisfaction and happiness.
  3. Effective leadership strategies can help create opportunities for Flow.

Ours

The Weasel Speaks • 137 implied HN points • 07 May 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Delegating more than is comfortable is critical in leadership roles.
  2. Leaders should avoid the traps of 'I can do it better' mentality or helicopter management.
  3. Embrace ruthless delegation as a way to help your team grow and succeed.

DirectorMoves

DirectorMoves • 137 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Director and CEO moves in various companies are listed, including promotions and resignations.
  2. CFO changes are highlighted, such as resignations and promotions.
  3. General Counsel updates note changes within legal positions.

The Lysander Effect

ancientlifecoach • 137 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Leadership
  1. Embrace favoritism as a leadership strategy for unwavering loyalty from your team.
  2. Focus on being a partisan and taking your team's side in everything, even if it seems unreasonable.
  3. Combining favoritism with a worthy mission can lead to strong team loyalty and success.

A reading list of older articles to get you started

Technology Made Simple • 199 implied HN points • 04 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Leadership
  1. The newsletter offers curated reading lists of older articles to help readers get started in understanding important concepts in Math and Computer Science, as well as tips for becoming a next-level tech professional.
  2. Technique Tuesdays focus on tricks and techniques to solve challenging problems, such as improving code comments and creating good documentation.
  3. Finance Fridays delve into the tech industry's financial aspects, covering topics like tech business models, personal finance tips, and how news from the tech industry affects your finances.

The Musk-a16z administration

Alex's Personal Blog • 230 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Inflation is slowing down, which is good news, but there are still bumps to deal with. It makes it less of a worry than before.
  2. Elon Musk seems to have a big role in the Trump administration, influencing political decisions and interactions. His support is seen as a key factor in Trump's election success.
  3. Despite concerns about AI development hitting a wall, there is optimism from leaders like Sam Altman at OpenAI, indicating that progress continues.

Ralph Nader Looks Ahead, at Age 90. What He Sees Is Not What You'd Expect.

Breaking the News • 474 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Ralph Nader, at age 90, surprises with a new book 'The Rebellious CEO' showcasing leaders who use their influence for good in business, workers' treatment, and environmental policy.
  2. The book has a chatty and personal tone, highlighting the importance of individuals making a positive impact and how small groups can bring meaningful change.
  3. Rebellious CEOs featured in the book prioritize fair treatment of workers and consumers, environmental responsibility, clear communication, and excellence in business without overpaying themselves or whining about regulations.