The hottest Leadership Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

THE END FOR ZELENSKY?

Seymour Hersh • 48 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Ukrainian General Valerii Zaluzhnyi is seen as a strong candidate to replace President Zelensky after a stalemate in the war with Russia.
  2. There is speculation that the U.S. may push for Zelensky to leave office, potentially leading to his exile or forced removal.
  3. Many believe the ongoing conflict with Russia needs to be resolved soon to make room for a peace settlement.

RDEL #42: How does developer satisfaction lead to improved productivity?

Research-Driven Engineering Leadership • 19 implied HN points • 13 May 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Empowerment is key: Giving engineers more control over their work leads to higher productivity and job satisfaction.
  2. Promote continuous learning: Encouraging ongoing learning and development increases adaptability and productivity.
  3. Ensure engineers feel valued: When engineers feel their contributions are important, it results in higher-quality outcomes.

July 14: the Startup Luncheon, with Lawrence Krubner and The Fourth Effect

Respectful Leadership • 54 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. The Startup Luncheon brings together top minds in New York City's startup scene. It's a great chance to learn from experienced professionals in the industry.
  2. Attendees can enjoy a meal while listening to insightful talks from various speakers. This makes networking both appealing and informative.
  3. Tickets are available at a discount for early birds, and loyal subscribers can attend for free. This creates good opportunities for continued learning and connection.

Zenly & BeReal : What Do They Have In Common ?

Venture Prose • 339 implied HN points • 30 Mar 22
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Successful mobile social consumer apps like Zenly and BeReal have deeply invested Founding Product CEOs who are intentional and growth-minded in their execution.
  2. The CEOs of Zenly and BeReal are deeply rooted in their narratives and are obsessed with realizing their aspirations, even through challenges and discouragements.
  3. Both Antoine and Alexis prioritize principled obsession regarding their mission, leading with honest and caring principles that inspire those around them.
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Straight Talk

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Dishonesty has become the norm in today's world, so being honest can help you stand out as a leader and build stronger relationships.
  2. Different types of misleading tactics like withholding information, spin, doublespeak, manipulation, and tactical deniability are commonly used in organizations.
  3. Practicing transparency, providing rationale for decisions, and communicating honestly can lead to increased trust within teams and ultimately improve overall performance.

Wandering In the Tall Weeds

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. In the corporate world, mismanagement of talent can lead to catastrophic outcomes such as financial strain, loss of critical knowledge, and decreased morale among remaining team members.
  2. People leave their jobs primarily due to poor management, including factors like work/life balance, insufficient compensation, lack of growth opportunities, and bad bosses.
  3. Insecurity caused by unclear communication, downsizing, and pay cuts can trigger regrettable attrition, where valuable talent leaves, leading to mediocrity and strategic failure.

Notes on Product management theater | Marty Cagan (Lenny's Podcast)

The Beautiful Mess • 330 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Common principles and practices among top product companies exist but may not fully capture the uniqueness and nuances of each company's success.
  2. During challenging times like the pandemic, companies may overhire, lower hiring standards, and create unnecessary roles instead of addressing core issues.
  3. Companies globally should strive to evolve product development methods based on customer needs, regardless of their location, and individuals should take more control over their product management career.

The Startup Engineering Manager - achieving a bigger impact with a smaller team

Leading Developers • 43 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. The course is designed to help startup engineering managers make a bigger impact with fewer resources. It focuses on giving practical tools that can be used immediately.
  2. Participants will receive personalized support through one-on-one sessions to address their specific challenges and improve their management skills.
  3. The course promises a money-back guarantee, offering a full refund plus an extra $200 if participants don't see results, ensuring accountability and quality.

Percent Zohran

Exasperated Infrastructures • 16 implied HN points • 05 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Don't expect politicians to be selfless; hold them accountable to high standards. It's okay to support them but recognize their flaws.
  2. There's hope with leaders like Zohran Mamdani who reflect the desires of more New Yorkers for change. His success could inspire future movements.
  3. Real change takes time and effort, especially in a complex political environment. Even achieving a fraction of Mamdani's plans could greatly improve life in New York.

Biden's State of the World

Diane Francis • 459 implied HN points • 02 Mar 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. The end of the post-war order is marked by recent global events. The U.S. is stepping back from leading the free world due to challenges from figures like Putin.
  2. Biden has been effective in bringing NATO and European countries together. However, it's seen that the responsibility for the conflict primarily lies with Europe.
  3. European nations are criticized for not having a strong military response. There's an emphasis on the lack of a unified army to confront these issues.

6 reasons why the senior leadership doesn't take you seriously

Leading Developers • 130 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Being careful with how you communicate is important. Saying things in a sensitive way, especially when delivering bad news, can make a big difference in how people perceive you.
  2. It's crucial to present yourself confidently, regardless of age or experience. When you're sure of your abilities, others will trust you more and you will be taken more seriously.
  3. Clearly explaining what you expect from your team helps them perform better. Being explicit in your communication can support them in achieving their goals without confusion.

Landing an EM role in 2025

Leading Developers • 43 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. To get an interview for an Engineering Manager role, focus your job search. Instead of applying everywhere, target positions that truly match your skills and interests.
  2. Make your resume stand out by tailoring it to show why you're the perfect fit for specific roles. Highlight your achievements and simplify your language for better clarity.
  3. Networking is key. Connect with people in your desired companies, especially hiring managers, to boost your chances of landing a job interview.

TBM 319: Surfing Inertia and Pendulum Swings

The Beautiful Mess • 158 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Companies struggle with finding the right balance between team independence and overall coordination. Too much focus on one can harm the other.
  2. Inertia can make it hard for companies to adapt, leading to bigger problems in the future if they're not addressed. Leaders should recognize this and take action.
  3. Being open to change and adjusting how teams work can help organizations respond better to challenges. Setting the right incentives also supports a flexible mindset.

All advances are by breaking the rules

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Advancements in life and technology often come from breaking existing rules or norms. New ideas can face a lot of pressure and resistance, but they are crucial for progress.
  2. Failure is an important part of trying new things. Just like in evolution, mistakes can lead to better outcomes, so taking risks is necessary for improvement.
  3. Creating an environment where questioning and challenging the status quo is encouraged helps drive innovation. When people feel free to experiment, society as a whole can move forward faster.

My biggest leadership failure (so far)

Boots Too Big • 17 HN points • 15 May 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Feeling lost in a new leadership role is common, especially when transitioning from a different position with mismatched skills.
  2. Leadership roles require different tools such as clear communication, flexibility in technical design, and proper ownership of gaps.
  3. Learning from mistakes is crucial for growth in leadership positions, and self-reflection through journaling can help in being prepared for future challenges.

Weekend Update #101: Biden throws in the Towel

Phillips’s Newsletter • 172 implied HN points • 06 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Biden has made a significant decision that may indicate a change in direction for his administration. It's important to keep an eye on how this will affect his leadership and policies going forward.
  2. There is a focus on the importance of support for Harris, emphasising her role in future plans. Her success seems crucial for the party's strategy.
  3. Stoltenberg acknowledged a mistake regarding Ukraine's strategy, hinting at a need for reassessment. This shows that there are ongoing challenges that require careful handling.

Links to Consider

In My Tribe • 349 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🚌 Education Leadership
  1. The key to effective leadership is genuinely caring about your subordinates, not just pretending to care.
  2. Comparing profit-seeking businesses with non-profits, profit-seeking businesses are more incentivized to solve customer problems than non-profits are to create benefits that exceed costs.
  3. Wokism stems from the equality thesis of race and sex differences and a background of Christian morality, leading to challenges in discussing disparities and natural differences among groups.

Movers, Shakers, & Money Makers (5/27)

Human Capitalist • 19 implied HN points • 28 May 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. There were ten notable job changes this past week, highlighting the dynamic nature of the job market. These changes show that companies continue to prioritize roles that drive sales and engagement, especially in tech and finance.
  2. Some individuals switched companies for new opportunities, like Ryan Libster moving to a top sales role at Anthropic. This indicates that even in tech, traditional sales roles remain crucial.
  3. The trend of employees leaving popular social media platforms, like TikTok, suggests a changing landscape in job preferences and company culture. People are looking for more meaningful work beyond just famous brands.

Writing better performance reviews: assembling the data

It Depends / Nimble Autonomy • 19 implied HN points • 05 May 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Start collecting data for performance reviews early in the year. This will help you avoid last-minute stress and ensure you remember important information.
  2. Use various sources for your review data, like meeting notes, emails, and feedback from peers. This way, you gather a well-rounded view of the employee's performance.
  3. Make performance reviews a meaningful summary of ongoing feedback. They should reflect the whole year and not just recent events, helping both the employee and the company.

Weekend Update #107: Some Leaders Wants to Tell Ukraine What Peace Means for Ukraine

Phillips’s Newsletter • 147 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Some leaders are trying to negotiate peace for Ukraine without actually involving Ukrainians. This approach can weaken Ukraine's position and undermine their needs.
  2. There are three types of people in Trump's potential cabinet regarding Ukraine: those who support it, those who have flipped to anti-Ukraine views, and those who have always opposed it. This could affect future U.S. support for Ukraine.
  3. Russia's economy is struggling and might face more problems in 2025. If Ukraine stays supported by its allies, it could win the war, but it will need that help to get through.

How To Define A Task

trydeepwork • 2 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Treat tasks as units of noticeable progress, not just blocks of time, so you can clearly see what changed when it’s done.
  2. Very long or vague tasks break feedback loops: completion gets fuzzy, progress is hard to describe, scope creeps, and motivation drops.
  3. For big or exploratory work, break it into short probes with clear next-step outcomes you can complete in a few hours and sequence those probes to keep momentum and learning.

The UAW in Chattanooga

Labor Intensive Art • 58 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Volkswagen auto workers in Chattanooga are campaigning to join the United Auto Workers union.
  2. President Shawn Fain addresses corruption within the UAW and emphasizes democratic union leadership.
  3. Supporters gathered at Volkswagen to protest union-busting activity and show solidarity with workers.

Một chuyến đi Boston

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 319 implied HN points • 20 May 22
🌍 World Politics Leadership
  1. Attending a high-profile event like the Harvard Kennedy School gathering provides a platform to raise important issues, like cybersecurity in this case.
  2. The atmosphere at events involving high-ranking officials can be tense, especially when asking challenging questions.
  3. Directly engaging in discussions and asking thought-provoking questions can lead to impactful contributions and connections.

Help others make better decisions

Ruben Ugarte's Growth Needle™ • 59 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Encourage your team to write down their decision-making process. This helps clarify steps and improves alignment.
  2. Identify key stakeholders in decisions. Knowing who matters most can streamline communication and decision-making.
  3. Look for ways to improve the decision-making process. Discussing it openly can reveal areas of improvement to help the team work better.

The Inauguration of Laura Rosenbury

Imperfect Information • 39 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Laura Rosenbury was inaugurated as the ninth president of Barnard College after already being on the job for seven months.
  2. The past few months on campus have been tumultuous with protests, changes in policies, and reactions from various organizations.
  3. President Rosenbury faces challenges in leading the institution due to pressures from different groups, but her commitment to her role and the community is evident.

Codiga, the beginning

Tech Ramblings • 99 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. The desire to build a company can drive personal change, even affecting relationships. It's important to align your personal goals with those you care about.
  2. Starting a business is a long process filled with ups and downs. Expect to make mistakes, but also learn from the good decisions you make along the way.
  3. Sharing experiences and learnings from your startup journey can help others succeed. It's valuable to offer advice based on your own challenges and triumphs.

June 4: From Chaos To Clarity

Respectful Leadership • 54 implied HN points • 24 May 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Join a supportive network of startup leaders in New York City. It's a chance to connect with like-minded individuals.
  2. The event includes talks from experts in various fields, sharing insights on investments, technology, and customer experience. You'll learn from their experiences.
  3. The gathering aims to help attendees find clarity amidst chaos. It's about gaining valuable knowledge to navigate the startup landscape better.

What’s in a Name?

The Intersection • 79 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Rebranding a company takes careful planning and effort. It can have both positive and negative consequences.
  2. Listening to others' opinions and considering timing are vital when making decisions like renaming a brand.
  3. Ego-driven decision-making in branding can lead to disastrous outcomes. Keeping emotions in check is crucial.

The Inspiring Team Spirit Behind Apple TV's Ted Lasso

PeopleStorming • 79 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Leadership
  1. Passionate and dedicated individuals inspire and unite a team to achieve remarkable outcomes.
  2. Promoting humble leadership and recognizing the contributions of team members is key to fostering a positive work culture.
  3. Encouraging diverse contributions and allowing individuals to explore different roles can lead to unexpected strengths and richer results.

Building a Conflict-Resilient Team

PeopleStorming • 79 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Building a conflict-resilient team involves empowering leaders to foster a positive work environment.
  2. Addressing conflicts constructively and with a long-term perspective can improve the overall work environment.
  3. Recruiting everyone in the team to actively participate in resolving conflicts is key, and principles like showing empathy and encouraging open communication play a vital role.