The hottest Leadership Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

You are too aggressive. You should smile more.

Elena's Growth Scoop • 1336 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Leadership
  1. Words like 'You're too aggressive, smile more' reflect biases that are diminishing and unfair to women.
  2. Societal norms pressure women to conform to outdated ideas of femininity, hindering their career advancement.
  3. The distinction between assertiveness and aggression in women is a perpetual challenge, but breaking through can lead to assertiveness being celebrated as a positive trait in leadership roles.

Restore Factory Settings at The Pentagon

CDR Salamander • 1650 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. The Secretary of Defense's lack of transparency about his serious medical complications caused controversy and confusion among Pentagon officials and congressional leaders.
  2. Important government officials were not notified promptly about the Secretary of Defense's hospitalization, raising concerns about the management of critical information and decision-making during his absence.
  3. There are calls for the Secretary of Defense to resign due to the breach of trust and lack of transparency surrounding his medical condition, highlighting the importance of trust and accountability in leadership positions.

You are not so kind as you used to be

Letters of Note • 2731 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
💾 History Leadership
  1. In 1940, Winston Churchill's wife wrote him a letter advising him to be kinder to his staff and show more composure.
  2. Being irascible and rude may not lead to the best results, instead, it could breed dislike or a slave mentality.
  3. Combining power with kindness and calmness can be more effective in leadership.

Calling for a purge. Is "collective leadership" making a come back? Publicity right. The "death bump" & Flecktarn.

Chartbook • 329 implied HN points • 24 Nov 25
💰 Finance Leadership
  1. Some people think that economies need downturns to stay healthy. They believe these 'purges' can help reset the market.
  2. Collective leadership might be becoming more popular again. This kind of leadership could mean working together to make decisions.
  3. The world economy has mostly avoided a big recession for a long time, especially since the COVID-19 lockdowns. That's unusual and raises questions about future economic stability.

The FDR era comes to an end

The Crucial Years • 4414 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. The recent election represented a major shift away from the values established during the FDR era. It feels like a significant connection to that time has been broken, which raises concerns about the future.
  2. Current challenges, especially regarding climate and energy, seem daunting, but there is an opportunity to rebuild our energy system. The focus on renewable energy could help create a more equitable and sustainable world.
  3. Local leaders need to act decisively on climate change policies. There’s a need for strong initiatives to reduce pollution and invest in green projects, which are critical to making meaningful progress.
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A march on Washington, a death in Venezuela, and a watch on the German border

The Pillar • 1395 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Leadership
  1. Today, Jan. 19, is the March for Life in Washington, DC, which remains significant despite shifts in activism focus.
  2. The death of Kenyan priest Fr. Josiah K’Okal in Venezuela raises suspicions of foul play due to his advocacy for indigenous rights.
  3. Pope Francis issued new financial regulations for the Vatican, showing a response to past scandals and a shift in authority.

The civil service is about to take over the government

Striking 13 • 2455 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. The government is shifting towards being run by civil servants under Keir Starmer's leadership.
  2. Organizational competence is a critical factor for governmental success and the current UK government has been lacking in this aspect.
  3. The success of a civil-service-led government is crucial in restoring public trust in politics and combating conservative populism.

MicroTimes Interviews T/Maker’s Heidi Roizen and Royal Farros (1994)

Computer Ads from the Past • 256 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. They pivoted from selling a Mac word processor to focusing on content like ClickArt and multimedia ZoomBooks, and that shift unlocked rapid growth and consistent profits.
  2. They took VC money, bought other art libraries, and brought in experienced managers to redesign products and packaging so they could win retail shelves and sell at multiple price points.
  3. They invested in technical know-how (CD-ROM, multi-platform formats, a reusable ZoomBooks interface) and used joint ventures with TV networks and publishers to share costs and reach much bigger audiences.

By-election results: The Tories are finished

Striking 13 • 2355 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. The by-election results show massive swings favoring Labour, hinting at a potential huge Labour majority in the next election.
  2. The significant swings in Mid Beds and Tamworth by-elections, overthrowing large Tory majorities, are quite unusual and challenging for the Conservatives.
  3. The efficiency of the anti-Tory vote, tactical voting by people to hurt the government, and the squeeze on other parties like Greens and Lib Dems indicate a tough road ahead for the Tories.

Things Worth Remembering: ‘A New World Order’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2851 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. George H.W. Bush's 'Chicken Kiev' speech was seen as controversial at the time but is now viewed as an exemplary model of diplomacy.
  2. The speech illustrated how America could support democracy in other countries without taking on the role of a global policeman.
  3. Reflecting on past leadership can help us understand and navigate current political issues more effectively.

Meditations on Founder Mode

The Engineering Leader • 79 implied HN points • 08 Sep 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Founder Mode allows leaders to be more hands-on and in touch with their company. This helps them make quick decisions that align with their original vision.
  2. While Founder Mode can be effective in early stages, it doesn't scale well in larger companies because one person can't manage everything.
  3. Great leaders know when to switch between being hands-on and delegating tasks. This flexibility is key to adapting to a company's growth and changing needs.

When, why, and how to stop coding as your day job

It Depends / Nimble Autonomy • 11 HN points • 22 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Leadership
  1. Stepping away from coding allows you to focus on being a more effective manager. When you stop coding, you can better support and lead your team.
  2. Many technical leaders struggle to balance coding and management, often feeling they must still code to stay relevant. However, shifting your focus to team leadership is essential for growth.
  3. To remain connected to technology, take an interest in your team's work and continue learning. You can still engage with technology without it being the main part of your job.

Of Snakes, Deep Swamps, and Kevin McCarthy’s Bid to Govern From the Middle

Peter Navarro's Taking Back Trump's America • 2338 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Kevin McCarthy's deal with President Joe Biden may trigger a potential vote to oust him as Speaker.
  2. The deal lacks guarantees for deficit reductions and neglects relief for America's fossil fuel producers.
  3. McCarthy's political sin was agreeing to kick the debt limit can past the 2024 elections, prioritizing his own fortunes over his Party.

Saying The Quiet Part Out Loud

Investing 101 • 64 implied HN points • 24 Jan 26
💼 Business Leadership
  1. People in venture and business are playing different games — playing to win, playing for power, or playing to survive — and each game leads to different goals and behaviors.
  2. The real mistake is pretending everyone is playing the same game; not recognizing others' aims will make you compete on the wrong terms and cost you.
  3. Be deliberate about which game you choose and play it well; don’t let winners or power players drag you into their game if it doesn’t fit your goals.

Should Israel Pardon Netanyahu to Save Itself?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 273 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Leadership
  1. Ending Netanyahu’s corruption trial by pardoning him is presented as effectively admitting guilt and could mark the end of his political career.
  2. The trial has dragged on for more than five years and has deepened political divisions, with critics calling it overdue accountability and supporters calling it a witch hunt.
  3. Some advocate a pardon to let Israel "move on" and restore national unity, but that proposal is highly contentious amid recent political fights and the ongoing war.

No Aisle For What We Need

Perspective Agents • 24 implied HN points • 15 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Leadership
  1. Major disruptions often show clear early signals, but people and institutions fail to act until the change is obvious, leaving them unprepared and scrambling.
  2. AI is nearing the ability to perform the work of highly educated professionals around the clock, likely within a few years, and that will reshape jobs, education, and organizational value.
  3. Leaders may acknowledge AI without changing plans or building new systems, and we currently lack the practical frameworks and preparations needed, so focused human readiness is required.

#49 - Shift Right, Dear Middle Manager.

OSS.fund Newsletter • 37 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
💼 Business Leadership
  1. AI is likely to cut or compress coordination-heavy middle management jobs first, like meeting coordinators, status reporters, and standardised team leads.
  2. Managers who design systems, own outcomes, and handle ambiguity will become more valuable and are less likely to be replaced.
  3. Survival means automating coordination, owning a measurable outcome, becoming the control plane that sets policies and escalations, and moving closer to money or risk.

Letters to a Young Founder: Immad Akhund of Mercury

The Generalist • 1160 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Shipping products with clear intention is crucial for success. It helps in creating items that truly meet customer needs.
  2. Being open to innovative and unconventional ideas can lead to unique products. This can set your company apart in a crowded market.
  3. Growth as a leader involves constant learning and adapting. It's important to reflect on your experiences and make improvements over time.

When does vulnerability become cringe?

Make Work Better • 65 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Leadership
  1. Many people now see public displays of vulnerability by leaders as cringey or staged, assuming they’re performative or manipulative.
  2. A broad collapse of trust and optimism has turned cynicism into a defence, with people distrusting institutions, brands, and even colleagues who hold different views.
  3. Debates over AI and so-called ‘authentic’ communication are polarised — genuine progress sits next to overhype, which makes messages feel manufactured and deepens scepticism.

“The Hardest Coordination Problem on Earth”

The Generalist • 1060 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Focus on velocity, not just speed. It's important for your team to move quickly but also in the same direction towards the same goals.
  2. Use clear decision rights to maintain order. Make sure everyone knows who is responsible for what decisions to avoid confusion and internal politics.
  3. Don’t try to change everything at once. Some old practices may still be effective, and it's better to identify which parts need innovation rather than reinventing the entire process.

How Trump Gained the Upper Hand with Putin

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 881 implied HN points • 14 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Trump plans to meet Putin in Alaska to discuss a possible ceasefire for Ukraine. It's a big meeting and not expected, making it surprising.
  2. He intends to listen to Putin and see if a deal can be made, but he won't force one if it isn't possible.
  3. The meeting caught European leaders off guard, especially with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine since February 2022.

New Orleans is America

The J. Burden Show • 1218 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. New Orleans is described as a city with a mix of beauty, dysfunction, and high crime rates, showcasing both its allure and challenges.
  2. The post discusses the city's leadership issues, particularly critiquing the mayor and suggesting the need for a strong leader who can tackle crime and corruption.
  3. There is a call for a transformative leader, likened to a Caesar figure, who can address law enforcement, foreign policy, and societal issues with a tough but just approach.

We are back!

Off to Lunch • 1218 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Off to Lunch newsletter is back for 2024 with exciting plans, including relaunching Business Leader magazine.
  2. The podcast associated with Off to Lunch covers big business stories and interviews key figures like the CEO of Seedrs and UK boss of Peloton.
  3. Important news stories highlighted include weakening UK job market, Artifact app closing down, and Adidas CEO sharing his phone number with all staff for feedback.

Tell the beautiful truth, not the brutal truth

Jeff Giesea • 758 implied HN points • 09 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Leadership
  1. There's a difference between telling the beautiful truth and the brutal truth. Beautiful truth connects with people, while brutal truth can push them away.
  2. Being mindful of your intention when sharing truths is important. If your truth comes from a good place, it can really help others feel supported.
  3. It’s essential to be compassionate towards yourself when sharing truths. Treating yourself kindly makes it easier to extend that kindness to others.

The CTO's Silent Struggle

The CTO Substack • 279 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Being technically correct isn't enough for a CTO. It's important to communicate effectively with the rest of the team to be truly understood.
  2. CTOs often feel unheard and frustrated, especially when their technical insights aren’t respected. They need to connect their concerns to the company's overall goals more clearly.
  3. Success as a CTO comes from focusing on team dynamics and collaboration rather than just being right. Building relationships and understanding others' perspectives is key.

The Biden-McCarthy Memorial Weekend Surrender Institutionalizes Stagflation

Peter Navarro's Taking Back Trump's America • 2044 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Historians may see Kevin McCarthy's quick surrender to Biden as a footnote in history, not a turning point.
  2. Biden's spending may lead to both demand-pull and cost-push inflation, similar to the stagflation of the 1970s.
  3. McCarthy missed a chance to assert America's energy dominance and combat inflation by caving to Biden's spending plans.

The Shape of Leadership

Fish Food for Thought • 83 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Leadership can take two effective shapes: a V-formation with clear direction, roles, and efficiency, or a murmuration with decentralized, rule-based adaptability.
  2. The right pattern depends on the situation — use V-style structure when coordination and reliability matter, and murmuration-style autonomy when uncertainty, speed, and learning matter.
  3. Leaders make either pattern work by shaping conditions: rotate leadership, clarify purpose and constraints, build trust and feedback, and align incentives so the chosen pattern isn’t undermined.

Grey's Law, The Republic, and You (Part 3)

Devon’s Substack • 119 implied HN points • 26 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. The US Secret Service made serious mistakes during a security event, showing a lack of coordination and teamwork. It's essential for security teams to work well together to effectively handle threats.
  2. The personnel assigned for Trump's security were not a cohesive team. They were gathered from different sources and did not have experience working together, which compromised their effectiveness.
  3. In security and military contexts, having a trained, familiar team is crucial. If team members don't know each other, they can't operate as smoothly, which can lead to failures in protecting important individuals.

The Mental Characteristics of Resilient High Performers

Voohy Leadership Insights • 79 implied HN points • 11 Aug 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. High performers tend to be positive and proactive. They actively look for challenges and always want to get better.
  2. Resilient people learn from tough experiences by reflecting on them. They see these moments as chances to grow.
  3. It's important to have a support system in place. High achievers feel they have good support from others, which helps them succeed.

Executive Amplification

Fish Food for Thought • 18 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
💼 Business Leadership
  1. What leaders say and do carries outsized weight, shaping how people prioritize work and even how employees see their roles. This influence changes behavior across the organization, not just tasks.
  2. Small or offhand remarks often get treated as directives, which creates wasted time, unnecessary meetings, and misaligned effort. These ambiguous signals introduce friction and distract teams from high-value work.
  3. Leaders need to be intentional about their signals: clarify intent, model priorities with actions like protected calendar time, and assume everything they say will be amplified. Clear, purposeful communication reduces misinterpretation and aligns follow-through.

Stand Alone

Becoming Noble • 1993 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Leadership
  1. True leadership requires first mastering obedience to a higher law or authority.
  2. Obeying a divine and eternal law involves sacrificing personal desires, as emphasized in the concept of spiritual combat.
  3. Cultivating genuine strength and leadership in a world lacking strong figures necessitates embracing the challenges of spiritual warfare.

Obeying in Advance: The Christopher Wray Story.

Breaking the News • 2924 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Postponing a tough decision can sometimes make a big difference. By stepping down, Wray made it easier for Trump to gain control over the FBI instead of challenging him.
  2. It's important not to give power away without being asked. Wray's decision shows how we can unintentionally teach those in power what they can get away with.
  3. Defending our institutions is crucial. When people like Wray leave when facing difficulties, it hurts the institutions that are meant to protect us.

How To Push Back With a Smile

The Ruffian • 258 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. It's important to express disagreement politely and with a smile. This can make conversations more civil and productive.
  2. Even in politics, you can learn valuable lessons about communication and connection with others.
  3. Charm and positivity can help navigate uncomfortable discussions, making it easier to share different viewpoints.

Living Evil: Unearthed Bodies And Sacrificial Lambs

Richard Lewis • 1906 implied HN points • 17 May 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Multiple reports of harassment and misconduct by key figures in the esports industry were brought to light, leading to their termination.
  2. New management at Evil Geniuses used past incidents involving employees as excuses to remove them, while also driving out senior employees who challenged their decisions.
  3. The company culture at Evil Geniuses shifted dramatically after the departure of senior staff, leading to a challenging and unbearable work environment.