The hottest Leadership Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

Is the team for you or are you for the team?

Sunday Letters • 119 implied HN points • 18 Sep 22
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Think of leadership like an upside-down org chart. The people doing the work should be at the top, and the manager is there to support them. It shows that the team's work is what truly matters.
  2. Managers shouldn't push team members into roles they aren't excited about. Instead, they should place people where their skills fit best, benefiting the team.
  3. The team exists to achieve goals together, not to serve the manager's needs. As a manager, your job is to help the team solve their problems, not the other way around.

The Propaganda Paradox

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Companies can fall into the trap of using internal propaganda to influence their employees, but this often backfires, eroding trust and confidence.
  2. Staged interactions and lack of authenticity in leader propaganda can make employees disengage and lose confidence in leadership.
  3. Highlighting frontline workers' stories can build unity and purpose within a team and should be prioritized over showcasing senior executives in internal communications.

Loose Lips, Loose Cannon

Diane Francis • 239 implied HN points • 30 Sep 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. General Milley faced criticism for making secret calls to China to prevent war threats during Trump's presidency. He believed it was necessary to calm fears about US intentions.
  2. Milley reassured political leaders and the military about the controls in place for launching nuclear weapons, indicating a serious concern about Trump's behavior during that time.
  3. Despite the controversies, Milley emphasized his loyalty to the country and commitment to civilian control over the military, highlighting the importance of military independence from politics.

DirectorMoves

DirectorMoves • 19 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Promotions and changes in leadership roles in various companies
  2. Shift towards more gender diversity on company boards
  3. Updates on CFO and General Counsel appointments
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Drama, Disorder, and Disintegration: The Many Faces of Dysfunctional Leadership Teams

The Leadership Lab • 39 implied HN points • 22 Jan 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Having a conscious, connected, and effective leadership team is crucial for success. It's like having a stable stool with three legs - missing one means imbalance and struggle.
  2. Identifying the state of your leadership team is key - from disintegration when all aspects are missing, to different scenarios like codependence and friction with one missing aspect, or specific challenges with two missing aspects.
  3. The ideal is a complete team with all three aspects in place - conscious, connected, and effective. This requires dedication and commitment from all team members to maintain the standard.

Issue #17 Career-Smart Leaders Are Doing AI Differently. Are You?

OSS.fund Newsletter • 18 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Career-smart leaders focus on making AI part of existing workflows instead of treating it as just a shiny new tool. This helps teams trust AI more and see real benefits.
  2. It's important to measure success not just by AI engagement but by how much it improves cycle times and closes rates. Focusing on practical outcomes can boost your career.
  3. Adopting AI should start small and be stress-free for users. Leaders who manage expectations and simplify processes tend to create better organizational readiness for change.

Lessons in Leadership from Formula 1: Christian Horner vs Toto Wolff

The Caring Techie Newsletter • 18 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Leadership styles can really affect how well a team performs. Some leaders pile on pressure, while others focus on support and growth.
  2. When teams feel secure and supported, they tend to perform better. Creating a positive environment helps people grow into their roles.
  3. It's important to think long-term when leading. Investing in people and their development brings better results instead of expecting immediate performance.

Rethinking Meetings.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 46 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Meetings should focus on giving rather than just taking. When we approach meetings with a giving mindset, everyone benefits more.
  2. Generosity, empathy, and energy are key to better meetings. By being generous with our knowledge and understanding others' perspectives, we create a positive atmosphere.
  3. End meetings with clarity and a plan. It's important that everyone knows the next steps and feels motivated to take them.

Humility in leadership

Sunday Letters • 179 implied HN points • 07 Mar 22
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Leadership is more about humility than ego. Good leaders focus on building teams and serving others rather than seeking personal glory.
  2. Delegating tasks shows trust and humility. When leaders do everything themselves, it can lead to team disengagement and increased pressure.
  3. Healthy leaders help their teams shine. They prioritize the success of their team over their own needs or recognition.

Still Bleeding Talent

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Having centralized and coercive talent management systems can drive out top talent. It's crucial to create a talent market with incentives and agency for individuals.
  2. Military services, like the Army, need to address actual root causes of officer attrition such as lack of control over their futures, poor leadership, and excessive stress on family and relationships.
  3. Outdated talent management models within military services contribute to high attrition rates and lead to the rise of poor leaders. Reevaluating these models is essential for the services to reach their full potential.

The Narcissistic Leader

Fish Food for Thought • 14 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Real leadership isn't about one person's brilliance, but how well a team works together. A good leader empowers others to shine.
  2. Narcissistic leaders can achieve short-term success but often hurt the team's culture and morale. They may overlook the contributions of others.
  3. Great leaders focus on building systems and teams for long-term success, not just on being the center of attention. They help others grow and lead.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #106

Creative Destruction • 41 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. The phrase 'I don't know' is fading away as we rely more on instant answers from technology. This makes us confident but might not actually improve our understanding.
  2. In today's world, attracting attention is often more important than having meaningful conversations. We live in a chaotic ‘attention economy’ where spectacle often beats substance.
  3. There seems to be a rising sense of carelessness in society where people are less willing to help or contribute. This may be due to broader social issues that demotivate personal responsibility.

Dereliction of Duty

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Privatized military housing has led to neglect and substandard living conditions for military families, with reports of black mold, sewage, and pest infestations.
  2. The use of non-disclosure agreements by private landlords to silence complaints from military families about poor living conditions is unethical and unjust.
  3. The decision to privatize military housing has resulted in a lack of accountability and oversight, leaving servicemembers and their families vulnerable to exploitation.

The Biden Conundrum

The Ruffian • 159 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Joe Biden trails Donald Trump in important swing states for 2024.
  2. Voters perceive Biden as too old to be an effective president.
  3. Biden's handling of crises like the Israel situation boosts his political strength.

TRUMP'S FIRST COVID MISTAKE

Seymour Hersh • 43 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. There was early intelligence about the COVID virus from Wuhan that indicated urgent action was needed. However, the response from leadership was slow and ineffective.
  2. The U.S. intelligence community had credible sources warning about a laboratory accident in Wuhan, but this information was not acted upon promptly.
  3. Many critical studies and warnings from health experts were reportedly erased from records to protect the president, suggesting a significant mismanagement of the crisis.

LL #39 | Thriving in Complexity

The Leadership Lab • 59 implied HN points • 02 Oct 22
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Navigating complexity requires a multivariate approach, as simple stories and the need to be right can be traps. Success in complex situations demands attention to various key variables simultaneously.
  2. The Cynefin framework helps in understanding different environments and guides appropriate actions based on the level of predictability in each environment. It is crucial to align strategies with the complexity of the situation at hand.
  3. Effective leadership involves asking different questions, considering multiple perspectives, and seeing in systems. These habits aid in better addressing complexity and making informed decisions.

Heroin liberals and cocaine conservatives

Gray Mirror • 140 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Political orientations in America are now more about fundraising narratives than real power.
  2. Conservative and liberal fundraising narratives in America are likened to selling cocaine and heroin.
  3. Institutions like universities and media shape public life but can be replaced to change the narrative.

DirectorMoves

DirectorMoves • 19 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Content is available to paid subscribers only.
  2. Director and CEO moves are highlighted in the post.
  3. The post includes news, analysis, and governance in company boardrooms.

Gnashing My Teeth and Chewing on Painkillers

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Leadership
  1. Reflect on past mistakes to learn and improve from them. A moment of stupidity can lead to a lifetime of reflection.
  2. Promote safety consciousness and effective leadership to prevent incidents. Creating a safe environment is crucial for successful leadership.
  3. Design work areas to prioritize safety, minimize risks, and support employees. Safety requires constant evaluation and improvement in work conditions.

Managing..up?

Sunday Letters • 119 implied HN points • 21 Aug 22
💼 Business Leadership
  1. It's important to understand what your manager wants and not just tell them what they want to hear. Building trust is key for a strong team.
  2. Think about the problems your boss faces and help find solutions. This shows initiative and helps you prepare for future roles.
  3. Instead of overloading your manager with details, focus on providing clear and concise information. They appreciate when you streamline their workload.

Challenge Network

Fish Food for Thought • 15 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. People often stick to their beliefs and avoid changing their minds, even when presented with new information. This can lead to bad decisions and problems in work and relationships.
  2. Building a 'challenge network' helps people get honest feedback and encourages them to rethink their ideas. Surrounding yourself with critics who care can prevent overconfidence and promote growth.
  3. For leaders, having a challenge network is crucial. It helps them stay humble, invites diverse perspectives, and ultimately leads to better decision-making in their teams.

How a culture fail ruined Boeing

Make Work Better • 114 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Boeing failed multiple safety tests, leading to accidents and loss of lives, due to a shift towards prioritizing stock price over quality
  2. A strong corporate culture requires aligning stated values with actual behaviors, empowering employees to make decisions based on those values
  3. Businesses that lose sight of their purpose and focus solely on chasing money risk facing significant organizational failures

A survey of CTOs: how flat should your organization be?

Respectful Leadership • 54 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. A flat organization isn't always the best setup. Some structure is needed as a company grows to help manage teams effectively.
  2. Having the right number of managers is important. Too few can lead to problems, while a good balance helps ensure teams are supported and guided properly.
  3. Leaders should focus on being leaders, not just doing tasks. Their main role is to manage and support their teams, not pull all-nighters coding.

Generative as the Way Forward

Perspective Agents • 18 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Leadership
  1. The way we work is changing fast, and we need to rethink how we use AI. Instead of just using AI to do tasks, we should see it as a way to explore new ideas.
  2. Generative Thinking is about being flexible and adaptive when faced with new challenges. It's no longer just about sticking to old rules, but finding new ways to design and solve problems.
  3. As we embrace generative thinking, we can expect shifts in jobs, politics, and education. This approach encourages ongoing learning and adapting, rather than following a fixed plan.

Terry and His Dumb Ideas

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Organizations should avoid adopting policies that seem sensible but are self-defeating in practice, leading to negative outcomes.
  2. Coercing individuals into seeking higher positions when they lack ambition can have detrimental effects on both performance and organizational culture.
  3. Great organizations protect and celebrate those who create value, avoiding the mass rationalization of dumb ideas that can lead to decline.

Communal Leadership

Midwest Humble • 16 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Communal leadership focuses on collaboration and helping each other. It creates a sense of belonging in communities.
  2. In a strong ecosystem, everyone—founders, investors, and service providers—works together for the common good. Supporting one another leads to greater success.
  3. New voices will be featured to share insights on communal leadership. This helps everyone learn and grow together in their communities.

Here's Some Bad Advice

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Cutting-edge research advice for leaders may not always be practical or helpful. It's important to evaluate the source of the advice and its applicability to real-world situations.
  2. Individual managers should be cautious about unilaterally trying to change organizational norms regarding work-life balance. The impact on performance, reputation, and career progression should be considered.
  3. To achieve a better work-life balance, leaders should focus on influencing organizational practices, setting examples, and supporting their teams in maintaining healthy boundaries.

The High Performer's Trap: When Self-Criticism Starts Working Against You

The Caring Techie Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Being too hard on yourself can hurt your performance. It’s better to be kind to yourself instead of listening to your inner critic.
  2. Perfectionism can create a cycle of negative self-talk. When you set high standards, you're more likely to feel like a failure when things go wrong.
  3. Treat yourself like you would a friend. Instead of blaming yourself, focus on what you can learn and do better next time.

Going to 105% on the Reactor

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. The newsletter is evolving into a more professional project with the option for paid subscriptions to support the creator.
  2. The author aims to build a community around meaningful discussions on leadership and offer unique insights in a nuanced manner.
  3. Subscribers have the freedom to pay what they want to support the newsletter, with options ranging from $1 to $10 per month.

The importance of mentoring in engineering leadership — part 1

The Healthy Engineering Leader • 19 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Mentorship comes in many forms, both structured and informal, and is valuable for growth in your career.
  2. Trust is key in a mentoring relationship; the more trust there is, the more you can benefit from the mentor's advice.
  3. Sometimes, the lessons from a mentor may not be clear right away, but you often realize their value later as you gain more experience.

Building Bridges

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Leadership potential involves connection and building bridges between people and organizations beyond operational delivery and political skills.
  2. Strategic leaders build bridges to foster cohesion and unity of purpose, enabling effective decision-making and problem-solving in dynamic environments.
  3. Bridge builders in organizations facilitate interconnectedness, reduce factionalism, and enhance speed and alignment in achieving strategic goals.

Brief thoughts on product management

Logos • 39 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. The term 'product manager' can mean different things in different companies, which makes it confusing. This lack of clear definition can lead to misunderstandings and inefficiencies.
  2. Many roles within product management can overlap, such as those of engineers, designers, and analysts. It's important to recognize these roles and how they can work together in teams.
  3. A new approach could be to form multi-functional teams without a designated PM role, allowing individuals to grow into leadership positions while keeping their functional expertise.

TRUMP’S POWER GRAB

Seymour Hersh • 39 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. President Trump has taken control of the USAID, shutting it down abruptly which puts many employees out of work. This shows how quickly he can change important government services.
  2. Trump is seen as someone who is trying to reduce government programs that help people, following a pattern that past Republican presidents have set. This means he might focus more on benefiting his wealthy supporters.
  3. His recent actions are not new but rather part of a long history of Republican leaders wanting to cut bureaucracy and services, often at the expense of citizens. It's a trend that many are concerned about.

Why power makes leaders see threats everywhere

Klement on Investing • 1 implied HN point • 23 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Leadership
  1. When leaders or states gain more power they often start seeing even weaker competitors as threats.
  2. That growing fear can push them to take preventive actions, like foreign interventions, which outsiders may view as illogical.
  3. Behavioural geopolitics shows this power‑fear dynamic helps explain modern big‑power behavior and challenges the idea that great powers always act the same way.

Modern Leadership.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 56 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Anyone can be a leader; it's about how you act, not just your job title. Being a boss isn't the only way to show leadership.
  2. Good leaders focus on their influence and connections rather than just controlling everything. They see the big picture and adapt to change.
  3. For leaders to grow, they need to be open to learning and transforming themselves. This process needs support and new ways to encourage growth.

Keep the Lights On

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Leadership as guardianship of a positive value system is essential to create a positive work environment.
  2. Negativity in organizations has detrimental effects on productivity and employee commitment.
  3. Maintaining a strong alignment between organizational values and interests leads to success and positive work culture.