The hottest Leadership Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

Democrats: Winning a Battle but Losing the War

Outspoken with Dr Naomi Wolf • 3 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. The Democratic Party is seen as losing touch with its traditional base, focusing more on controversial policies that don’t resonate with many voters.
  2. New leaders are emerging in New York City politics, some of whom are breaking away from the Democratic Party to address issues like the treatment of first responders and community concerns.
  3. Many voters, especially from minority groups, feel abandoned by the Democrats due to policies that seem to prioritize certain groups over their needs, which could reshape the political landscape.

Say It Out Loud

Perspectives • 4 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Leadership
  1. It's important to express appreciation to people. Saying nice things out loud can strengthen connections and make others feel valued.
  2. We should thank those who have helped us in our journey, even if it's been a long time. It reminds them—and us—how meaningful their support was.
  3. Letting others hear praise or good comments about them helps build trust and shows we appreciate their efforts. It can create a positive work environment.

Peak Performance #27 | Creating and Committing to Goals that Scare You

The Leadership Lab • 19 implied HN points • 03 Apr 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Leadership
  1. The best goals are those that excite and scare you, as they align with what you truly desire and push you to grow.
  2. Commitment is essential in achieving goals that evoke fear and excitement, even when it feels uncomfortable.
  3. Leaders should model commitment to scary goals and help their teams understand the importance of committing to uncertain but exciting objectives.

EVENT: Empowered Ed Leadership Summit

Journal of Free Black Thought • 11 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🚌 Education Leadership
  1. The Empowered Ed Leadership Summit is happening in Sacramento from October 27-29. It's focused on improving education by promoting critical thinking and mutual respect.
  2. A diverse group of organizations is working together to counter political agendas in school curricula. They want classrooms to be inclusive without pushing one-sided views.
  3. The summit aims to create practical plans to make education better by teaching students how to think critically rather than telling them what to think.
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Rolling out developer productivity metrics

Engineering Enablement • 7 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Leadership
  1. Communicate openly with leaders about new productivity metrics to avoid surprises. It's important to have conversations, not just send emails, to build trust.
  2. Be clear about what the metrics cover to reduce fear. Focus on process-related data, and explain how it helps teams improve.
  3. Invest time in change management, as it’s crucial for success. Engage key players early, ask for their input, and keep everyone informed through various channels.

Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Perspectives • 8 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Ancestry helps people discover their family stories and create connections. They have made it easier for many to explore their heritage and find personal connections through their platform.
  2. The author enjoyed building a company culture and connecting with team members through shared experiences. They valued discussions and ideas, which led to new products that benefited customers.
  3. The author is taking a break for personal health and family reasons, while continuing to document their own family's history. They believe in the importance of legacy, both in work and family.

Your Career Is Stuck Because You’re a Doer, Not an Owner

The Software Engineering Times • 4 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Stop just doing tasks; think like an owner who cares about the bigger picture. Focus on how your work impacts the company, not just on finishing assignments.
  2. To grow in your career, take initiative and ask questions. Don't wait for someone to tell you what to do; look for problems and suggest solutions.
  3. People who want promotions are those who act like owners. They show leadership by thinking about outcomes and how to improve things, not just completing tasks.

The sound epistemics behind Boom's breaking of the sound barrier

Building the Builders • 7 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Blake Scholl started from scratch in the aerospace industry. He had no prior experience but was determined to learn everything necessary to build a supersonic jet.
  2. Instead of accepting common reasons why supersonic flight couldn't work, Blake researched thoroughly and found that many of those reasons were outdated or inaccurate.
  3. He embraced his confusion and used it as motivation to improve his understanding. Keeping a 'confusion list' helped him tackle and clarify tough concepts over time.

Case Studies in Crisis

DruGroup • 39 implied HN points • 12 Oct 21
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Every leader will face a crisis at some point, whether in big organizations or small ones. It's important to be prepared for unexpected challenges.
  2. Using a four-quadrant chart can help leaders make decisions during a crisis. They can categorize actions into what to avoid and what to seize.
  3. In tough times, looking for new opportunities can lead to positive changes. Leaders can redefine their strategies to adapt and even improve their situations.

Learning to be productively uncomfortable

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 39 implied HN points • 18 Oct 21
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Feeling uncertain can make it hard to take action, but learning to be okay with discomfort can help you move forward. It's important to face that discomfort instead of avoiding it.
  2. Productive discomfort is crucial for growth and learning. Embracing uncomfortable situations can actually lead to positive outcomes and benefits.
  3. Using tools like idk can help you get used to feeling uncomfortable in small ways, which leads to easier handling of bigger challenges later on. With practice, discomfort can become a pathway to success.

TWH#54: Unshackling The Organization

The Hagakure • 39 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Success lies in being clear about who you are as an organization.
  2. Netflix's approach focuses on clarity, decentralization, and continuous improvement.
  3. High talent density, radical candor, and removing controls are key for creating a thriving work environment.

System Thinking

Build To Scale • 3 HN points • 23 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Think of your business as a machine that needs constant tuning and adjustments as it grows.
  2. Focus on finding product/market fit in the early days - can you build something others are willing to pay for?
  3. System thinking is a helpful framework for ensuring resources are allocated effectively across departments and to identify and address bottlenecks.

Feedback

Fish Food for Thought • 6 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Feedback can be hard to give and receive, but it’s important for growth. Creating trust and a safe environment helps people be open to it.
  2. When receiving feedback, remember to own your part in it, whether it's accurate or not. Acknowledging feedback shows you are willing to improve.
  3. Instead of yearly reviews, having ongoing, real-time feedback helps people grow faster. This new approach can lead to better performance and stronger teams.

Stop serving the compliment sandwich

Granted • 3 HN points • 17 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Criticism between praise isn't effective - it can seem insincere and shift focus away from the important feedback
  2. Starting with why you're giving feedback and making it a dialogue boosts receptiveness to criticism
  3. Being transparent and genuine in feedback is more impactful than using manipulative techniques like the compliment sandwich

TWH#57: Why Candor is Hard

The Hagakure • 35 implied HN points • 04 May 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Feedback is crucial for change and should be given honestly.
  2. Candor is challenging due to fear of conflict, desire to be liked, and lack of incentives.
  3. Candor should be reframed as a positive way for growth and improvement.

Data & AI Strategy: Running a Profit Centre

TeamCraft • 26 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Data functions are often cost centers in companies due to various reasons like unnecessary scale or lack of impactful outcomes.
  2. Running a data department as a support unit can be challenging, especially because of the high costs involved.
  3. To transform a data unit into a profit center, collaborate with leadership to align on priorities and focus on delivering visible ROI while working on transformative projects.

3 Pillars of Career Success | LSW#42

The Leading Sapiens Weekly • 20 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Confident ignorance often wins out over conscientious intelligence in workplaces, limiting career growth and impact.
  2. Beyond self and technical competence, organizational competence is a critical pillar for long-term career success.
  3. Successful careers involve understanding the art of organizational savvy and navigating workplace dynamics effectively.

Three-Bucket Framework for Engineering Metrics

Engineering Enablement • 38 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Leadership
  1. Deciding what metrics to track and report to stakeholders is a common challenge for engineering leaders.
  2. Reframing the problem and using a three-bucket framework can help in choosing relevant engineering metrics.
  3. The three buckets for engineering metrics include business impact, system performance, and developer effectiveness.

Messianic Onlineism and the Spirit of '16

Zero HP Lovecraft • 25 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. The spirit of '16 represents a right-revolutionary consciousness poised to challenge and change the prevailing leftist ideologies.
  2. Emancipation and feel-good vibes shaped the spirit of '68, while the spirit of '16 confronts uncomfortable realities and 'hate facts' for necessary change.
  3. Messianic Onlineism reflects a passive online culture jumping from savior to savior, with Donald Trump as a central figure embodying the spirit of '16.

Will Generation Z usher in the next corporate renaissance?

Upon Reflection • 2 HN points • 08 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Generation Z challenges stereotypes and is reshaping corporate culture by offering fresh perspectives and sparking a shift in how we work.
  2. The corporate world faces the unique challenge of blending the work ethics and expectations of multiple generations, leading to both enrichment and tension.
  3. Organizations must embrace change, listen to diverse perspectives including Gen Z's, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous evolution to thrive in the evolving corporate landscape.

Simulate the CEO

Messy Progress • 35 implied HN points • 02 May 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Large organizations have a single person who directs others like a CEO, with layers of managers in between.
  2. Middle managers 'simulate the CEO' to guide employees in the absence of direct CEO interaction.
  3. CEO simulation is crucial for roles like Product Managers to influence teams effectively.

Your Only Limited Resource

DruGroup • 39 implied HN points • 03 Aug 21
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Time is the most valuable resource we all have, and it cannot be replaced or made more of. It's important to be intentional about how we spend it.
  2. The Opportunity Filter helps you decide which opportunities to take on and which to ignore. This way, you can manage your energy and time more effectively.
  3. There are different ways to handle opportunities: dodging unimportant ones, blessing others for their efforts, warning colleagues about risks, launching important projects, and owning responsibilities that truly matter.

Turnaround #1

Turnaround • 79 implied HN points • 22 Jul 19
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Thoughtful leaders and a supportive culture can successfully drive change in even giant corporations that have made big mistakes in the past.
  2. Empathy plays a crucial role in business success, as highlighted by Satya Nadella's focus on empathy in his book.
  3. Some books are meant to be read slowly and savored, with breaks to chew over the content and admire the writing.

#50: Leaving money on the table

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 59 implied HN points • 14 Oct 20
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Being prepared for uncertainty may seem like a waste, but it's actually important. It helps businesses adapt when things go wrong.
  2. Being fair to employees, customers, and suppliers pays off in the long run. If you treat them well, they are more likely to help you in tough times.
  3. Operating responsibly might look inefficient, but it creates flexibility. This flexibility is a valuable resource that businesses can rely on during unpredictable situations.

Changing my mind on whether managers should keep coding

peoplefirstengineering • 8 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Leadership
  1. It's important for managers to stay connected to coding, as it helps them empathize with their team. Being hands-on can improve understanding of the challenges engineers face.
  2. Empathy in leadership goes beyond just understanding tasks; it involves recognizing individual emotions and how they affect performance. Good managers should tailor their support based on team members' unique situations.
  3. Challenges in coding create a shared experience among team members. Managers who code can better relate to the ups and downs, building trust and a stronger team dynamic.

How to Drive Meaningful Change - Handling objections to your proposal

Joseph Gefroh • 2 HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Be prepared to handle objections and various responses when proposing a change - it's unlikely to always be met with full acceptance and applause.
  2. Understand the categorization of responses to objections: disagreement on outcome, disagreement on mechanism, and agreement and alignment, each requiring a different approach to address.
  3. Dealing with objections involves strategies like asking for specific reasons, painting a clear picture, comparing with other problems addressed, and being aware of personal relationship issues or power dynamics.

Beyond the cliché of being a "people person" (feat. Jo Anne Lyon)

DruGroup • 39 implied HN points • 13 Jul 21
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Leadership
  1. People are really important to getting things done. Having strong relationships can lead to better results in any field.
  2. Knowing real people makes your purpose clearer and more meaningful. It helps if you think of your goals in relation to the people you're trying to help or work with.
  3. Solving problems often involves dealing with other people's issues. It's not always easy, but facing these challenges head-on can strengthen your connections with others.

How ideas can be a powerful influence (feat. Steve DeNeff)

DruGroup • 39 implied HN points • 06 Jul 21
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Leadership
  1. Ideas are very powerful and can easily spread. Unlike organizations and relationships, ideas don't depend on complex connections and can be communicated simply.
  2. Effective communication is key for sharing ideas. It's important to connect with others and present ideas in a way that encourages discussion and adoption.
  3. Ideas need to be shared and discussed to stay fresh. If kept to oneself, they can become stale, so it's vital to engage others in conversations around them.

4/10/22 Just Who is JD's New CEO Xu Lei?

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 11 Apr 22
🕹 Technology Leadership
  1. JD's former CEO Richard Liu has deliberately distanced himself from the company post-controversy
  2. Xu Lei, the new CEO of JD, has a marketing background and has a non-traditional, rebellious streak
  3. The appointment of Xu Lei as CEO was expected, but JD faces challenges in areas like executive stability and future growth

Reflecting On My Failure To Join A Billion-Dollar Company

Lump Letter • 2 HN points • 29 Feb 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. The expectation of getting rich quick in a hypergrowth startup can lead to disappointment if the company doesn't succeed as anticipated.
  2. Enduring excessive stress at work without clear benefits or end goals can eventually lead to dissatisfaction and a desire for change.
  3. Taking responsibility for personal success and not relying solely on higher-ups or distant paydays is crucial for fulfillment and growth.

#44: The long view

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 59 implied HN points • 02 Sep 20
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Long-term thinking is important, but it can trick us into believing we fully understand the future. We need to be aware that the future is still uncertain.
  2. Zooming out to look at the big picture can lead us to mistakenly think that everything is knowable and predictable, which is not the case.
  3. We should adopt an uncertainty mindset, especially now, as recent events have shown us that future changes can be sudden and unexpected.