The hottest Leadership Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

That can't be done/we are already doing that

Sunday Letters • 59 implied HN points • 23 Jan 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Organizational culture is hard to change once a group gets big. After a certain point, it's tough for new people to make an impact.
  2. When new ideas come up, they often get rejected or downplayed because of the existing culture. People might say 'that can't be done' or 'we are already doing that' instead of considering the new idea.
  3. To encourage new ideas, it helps to adopt a 'yes, and' mindset. This means instead of rejecting ideas, you build on them to see how they can fit together.

Building Your Board

Build To Scale • 19 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Building a strong relationship with your board is crucial and requires trust and honesty.
  2. As a CEO, it's important to have a plan when facing problems to share with the board for input and guidance.
  3. Consider adding independent board members with different skills and experiences to help with strategic decisions and scaling the company.

Great Leaders Don't Manage, They Conduct

Maestro's Musings • 52 implied HN points • 13 Sep 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Great leaders act like conductors in an orchestra, guiding their teams with a clear vision and making sure every part works in harmony. They don’t just manage from a distance; they stay involved and connected.
  2. The concept of 'Founder Mode' emphasizes that founders should understand every aspect of their company and focus on what truly matters. This helps them lead effectively without getting lost in many details.
  3. Maestro's mission is to empower leaders and employees alike to see how their work fits into the bigger picture. When everyone understands their role, the whole team can perform better together.

3 Thoughts: Sam, Shaping & Sea-Swimming

Ways of Working • 19 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. OpenAI's success is attributed to an ambitious mission, talented team, and organizational velocity
  2. A fulfilling job often involves shaping it to fit your strengths and interests
  3. Engaging in challenging activities becomes easier when you decide to do them and actually enjoy them

Pod Against America

The Carousel • 43 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Trump's approach to leadership focuses on genuine beliefs rather than manipulation. This contrasts with elite strategies, which often prioritize how to present ideas rather than what those ideas actually are.
  2. Elites are trained to understand what people want to hear, leading to a lack of authentic engagement with their actual beliefs. They aim to control narratives rather than truly lead.
  3. For the left to regain authenticity in today's media, they need to clearly express their principles instead of just trying to gain power. They should focus on why their ideas matter, rather than simply trying to be liked.
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The Rethinking Work Show

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 15 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Work is changing fast, and it's becoming super flexible. More people can choose where they work and how they do it.
  2. Companies that let employees work from anywhere are growing quickly and attracting better talent. Many are realizing that forcing people back to the office isn't beneficial.
  3. Each company should find its own way of working instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach. Different teams might need different styles to succeed.

Think like a Plumber, not a CEO | LSW#58

The Leading Sapiens Weekly • 40 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Knowledge work shouldn't just rely on inspiration or perfect conditions. Showing up consistently, like a plumber, leads to real progress.
  2. Instead of waiting for creativity to strike, focus on making a routine and setting clear goals. This structure helps reduce stress and improves productivity.
  3. It's important to value practice and effort over perfection. Producing more often can actually improve the quality of your work over time.

RDEL #19: How does user-centricity impact engineering performance?

Research-Driven Engineering Leadership • 19 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Leadership
  1. User-centric engineering teams lead to 40% higher organizational performance and 20% higher job satisfaction.
  2. Understanding user needs, aligning with those needs, and using user feedback for prioritization positively impacts team outcomes.
  3. User-centricity should be applied across different types of engineering teams, from product delivery to platform engineering, to improve performance.

The story of why

Thoughts on Writing • 2 HN points • 09 Jul 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Simon Sinek's 'Start With Why' focuses on the core purpose of brands, suggesting that understanding the 'why' behind actions can drive success.
  2. Sinek's Golden Circle model applies the concept of 'why, how, what' to brand messaging, emphasizing the importance of emotional appeal.
  3. Critiques challenge the scientific basis of Sinek's theories, highlighting the impact of rhetoric, marketing strategies, and storytelling in business success.

Founders, what can you learn from the OpenAI debacle?

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Make sure your board members really care about the company's success. They should have a stake in it, either by working there or owning shares.
  2. When board members leave, replace them quickly. A shrinking board can lead to risky decisions and power plays.
  3. Don’t fill your board with just 'yes men' or only investors. You need a mix of people who will challenge you and support innovation.

The Hardest Sale A Founder Will Make

Tippets by Taps • 10 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Hiring great early employees is one of the toughest tasks for founders. It's hard because you're asking someone to leave a stable job for something uncertain.
  2. When recruiting, you need to convince not just the candidate but also their support system. Their families often play a big role in their decision to join your startup.
  3. Every new hire can shape the future of your company, so take recruitment seriously. Spending time and effort on it can lead to a more successful team.

How to feel more certain in your strategic decisions

Ruben Ugarte's Growth Needle™ • 19 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Look at past examples to help understand new situations. Historical contexts can give insights that make tough decisions easier.
  2. Adjust the reward system to make the risks of wrong decisions feel less daunting. This allows for more exploration without the fear of huge penalties.
  3. Use anonymous voting to find out what people really think. This can reveal hidden concerns that might not come up in open discussions.

Ricardo Semler: A Trickster, a Maverick

DecafQuest's Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Ricardo Semler successfully turned around SEMCO's business with unorthodox, employee-first approaches.
  2. Semler's leadership style emphasized transparency, work-life balance, and employee autonomy.
  3. By challenging traditional management methods, Semler created a productive, self-organizing company.

TRUMP DOWNGRADES THE US MILITARY

Seymour Hersh • 25 implied HN points • 03 Mar 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Firing General Charles Brown from the Joint Chiefs of Staff is seen as a misguided decision. Many believe that he had valuable experience and connections that were beneficial to US military leadership.
  2. The appointment of a less qualified replacement raises concerns about the future of military leadership in the US. It could lead to less effective decision-making at high levels.
  3. There are worries about Trump's approach to military leadership and how it affects international relations, especially with countries like Israel and Iran. The changes might harm efforts to stabilize those relationships.

The Cool Head in a Crisis

Fish Food for Thought • 12 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Great leaders remain calm under pressure, which helps them to make better decisions. Calmness is not just about handling situations; it also allows others to feel secure and focus better.
  2. Stress can actually help leaders grow, as they train themselves to deal with challenges. Embracing stress as part of the leadership journey fosters resilience and learning.
  3. Composure can be developed through practice and habits. Simple actions like controlling your voice and breath can make a big difference in how you and your team respond to crises.

The Bumbler in Chief

John’s Substack • 12 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. The U.S. is struggling to maintain strong relationships with other countries, especially after recent foreign policy decisions.
  2. President Trump's tariffs are causing uncertainty and may affect how other nations view America.
  3. Despite these issues, the U.S. continues to show strong support for Israel, keeping that relationship intact.

Building Codiga: Resilience

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Facing tough truths is important while keeping hope for success alive. You need both to survive in the startup world.
  2. Starting a business is often harder and longer than many expect. It’s crucial to avoid overconfidence and stay realistic about your journey.
  3. Even with challenges, dedication to improving your product and business model is key. Staying focused and prepared can lead to eventual success.

👊🏽 A day for transitions ...

UnfairNation by Ehsan Zaffar • 29 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. After ten years, it's time to change and grow. The newsletter started as a way to connect with friends but evolved into discussing important social issues.
  2. Today is significant as it's MLK day, a reminder of the civil rights movement. MLK's legacy inspires action against ongoing inequality.
  3. The next few years are seen as a chance to build a strong movement for change. It's about creating solutions for those who have less and making a real impact.

Violence in the Middle East

Comment is Freed • 85 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Leadership
  1. Violence in the Middle East continues to persist with targeted killings and tit-for-tat exchanges between various factions.
  2. Both Israel and the US believe in weakening their adversaries by targeting and eliminating their leaders, but this strategy may not result in long-term success as groups have sufficient support and structures to carry on.
  3. The situation in the Middle East, particularly in relation to Iran, involves complex dynamics with concerns about nuclear capabilities, succession planning, and the influence of proxies in ongoing conflicts.

What Do TPMs Distribute If AI Gets Better At Owning The Message

Building Rome(s) • 15 implied HN points • 27 May 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Technical Program Managers (TPMs) plays a key role in communication. They must make sure their messages are clear and tailored for different audiences to ensure understanding and action.
  2. AI can help with processing data but isn't yet reliable for communicating important messages on behalf of people. Trusting AI for key updates still requires human judgment.
  3. Poor communication can harm credibility and team trust. It's important for TPMs to learn from past mistakes in message distribution to improve future clarity and alignment.

The Decades-Long View

next big thing • 120 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Successful founders and CEOs have the ability to take a decades-long view in building their businesses.
  2. Companies that want to last for decades must earn the right to serve customers and have a sustainable business model.
  3. Founders who take a decades-long view have a strong belief in their work and show an obsession-level commitment.

Hard Goodbyes

davidj.substack • 143 implied HN points • 24 May 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Leaders may face difficult decisions when letting go of team members, even if it's the right thing to do.
  2. Communication and managing expectations are crucial in the process of letting go of team members.
  3. It is important to prioritize hiring the right people to avoid the challenging situation of having to let someone go.

The Overlooked Aspects of Successful Development Teams

🔮 Crafting Tech Teams • 2 HN points • 06 Jul 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Look beyond technical abilities to traits like negotiator, empath, athlete, pessimist, motivator, and hustler to predict team success.
  2. Recruit for the team, not just based on technical skills. Align personal core values with the company and team.
  3. Focus on building and maintaining a positive relationship with your immediate boss and closest team members for overall satisfaction and success in your career.

How to level your strategic thinking this week

Ruben Ugarte's Growth Needle™ • 19 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. The Straight Line Framework helps you keep focus when working toward big goals, showing that paths can be curvy but still lead to your destination.
  2. The Undercurrent Framework is useful when you're unsure about the future, helping you to explore underlying emotions and trends.
  3. The Identity Shift Framework encourages you to change your perspective or approach, allowing you to find new solutions to problems.

Three people I admire

Tech Ramblings • 39 implied HN points • 07 May 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. David Goggins inspires hard work and resilience. He shows that facing fears and not settling for mediocrity is important for success.
  2. Ray Dalio's books offer valuable lessons on building a company and understanding societal changes. His principles on culture and feedback are especially useful for entrepreneurs.
  3. John McWhorter excels in clear and thoughtful debate. He teaches how to focus on ideas rather than personal attacks, making discussions more accessible for everyone.

Keep Going University: How to Manage Change

Startup Strategies • 14 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Failure is not just a one-time event; it's a journey with lessons learned at every stage. The longer you wait to reflect on your mistakes, the more you understand them.
  2. Quick experiments are key. By running small tests, like $100 ad campaigns, you can find out what doesn't work faster and avoid wasting resources.
  3. Adapting and learning from failure is more important than trying to be perfect. Embrace the process and keep trying even when things get tough.

Acknowledge and Ignore

Polymathic Being • 87 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🚌 Education Leadership
  1. Acknowledging and ignoring can be a powerful tactic when dealing with poor leaders.
  2. Timely decision-making in leadership requires adaptability and making smart choices under pressure.
  3. Some leaders may prefer being acknowledged but then ignored, leading to better outcomes in certain situations.

Humility in leadership

Sunday Letters • 99 implied HN points • 24 Apr 22
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Leadership should be about helping others, not just about personal achievement. Think about how you can support your team instead of just focusing on being at the top.
  2. An inverted org chart can help visualize leadership as a service. Instead of one person at the top, imagine the leader at the bottom, supporting the team that does the work.
  3. Making decisions in leadership requires humility. It's important to delegate and build trust, as this creates a more effective and supportive team environment.

Revisiting The Professionalization of Startups

Investing 101 • 73 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Access to technology has dramatically increased, leading to more people being able to build and scale tech companies.
  2. There is a growing population of individuals with extensive experience in building technology companies, creating a collective knowledge base for progress.
  3. As tech fields professionalize, the risk of manipulating well-established playbooks increases, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes and avoiding turning established practices into dogma.

The Hagakure #64: The Heart of W. Edwards Deming

The Hagakure • 113 HN points • 24 Aug 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. W. Edwards Deming emphasized the importance of systems thinking and statistical process control in achieving quality and quantity in production.
  2. Deming's heart and compassion played a significant role in inspiring hope and confidence in the people of Japan, contributing to their rapid post-war recovery.
  3. Leading with compassion, embracing interconnectedness, and nurturing living systems over optimizing machines are key lessons from Deming's story.

The Hagakure #61: Sunday Round-Up

The Hagakure • 115 implied HN points • 13 Aug 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Improve performance by leading with trust and compassion, engaging in conversations, reducing fear, and providing guidance instead of advice.
  2. Enhance hiring effectiveness by building a system, partnering with recruitment experts, being authentic with candidates, aligning values, and focusing on potential over experience.
  3. Scale yourself by allowing for high-quality decisions, sharing mental models, communicating processes, setting boundaries, and seeking diverse perspectives for better outcomes.

Modeling Imperfection

Fish Food for Thought • 12 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Leaders should embrace vulnerability and admit they don’t have all the answers. This helps build trust and shows that they are also learning.
  2. When leaders are open about their mistakes, it creates a safe space for teams to share ideas and learn from failures. This encourages innovation and faster problem-solving.
  3. Creating a culture of psychological safety starts with leaders being honest and present. This openness allows teams to feel valued and promotes collaboration.

Reclaiming Productivity: Time Management Tips + Reclaim.ai Review

QUALITY BOSS • 19 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Time blocking is a powerful method for managing tasks and improving productivity. It's not just about scheduling hours for work but really planning out all your tasks and priorities.
  2. Using tools like Reclaim.ai can help you keep everything organized and ensure that tasks get done. It can also make rescheduling easier when plans change.
  3. To improve time management, identify your tasks, prioritize them, and don't hesitate to delegate. Regularly review your strategies to see what's working for you.

Rethinking DEI

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 9 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a complex and often debated topic in businesses today. Companies can actually boost their profits by becoming more inclusive.
  2. Paolo Guadiano has extensive academic and professional experience, making him knowledgeable about DEI. He believes convincing business leaders to focus on inclusion can lead to better outcomes.
  3. Building inclusive organizations not only helps employees feel valued but also can drive better results for the company. It's essential for leaders to understand the benefits of DEI.

PP #35 | How to Instantly Be a Better Leader, and using Emotion, Cognition, and Movement to get Unstuck

The Leadership Lab • 39 implied HN points • 04 Sep 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Leadership
  1. Using both emotion and cognition to approach problems can help you get unstuck. If you're stuck in your thoughts, focus on how you want to feel. If trapped by your feelings, think about the best path forward and take the first step.
  2. Physical movement can help you get unstuck creatively. When facing a difficult problem, go for a walk or engage in some form of physical activity without distractions. Let your body's movement guide your mind's flow.
  3. To improve as a leader, embrace your position and responsibilities. Owning your leadership means doing what needs to be done and holding yourself and others accountable. Leadership is about making hard choices but sticking to them.