Leadership in a Time of Change

What are the most challenging issues facing leaders today? Conventional wisdom looks to straightforward attributes such as maintaining shareholder values, bottom-line efficiency, managing relationships, and, simply stated, “getting s**t done”. But these are not conventional times. The national mood around our leaders — from the realms of business and politics, education, the media, science, and even nonprofits — is increasingly cynical. More than ever, today’s successful leaders must prove not only their integrity, sense of purpose, strength of vision, and management skills, but also demonstrate a firm grasp of the economic, social, and cultural changes rippling through our society; an inclusiveness that responds to our changing demographics; and, perhaps most important, a steady hand on the wheel to weather whatever storms may lie ahead. This summer, we’ve invited a varied group of leaders from “C-suites” and other corridors of power to join us for a series of candid talks and interviews about the world they see around them, the one on the horizon, and the challenges and opportunities they face each and every day.