A roundtable discussion with the Charlie Rose Monday, October 13, 2008

The 2008 Alumni Achievement Award recipients discuss the current financial crisis, the changing relationship between business and government, and the key elements of effective leadership.

John Doerr Partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers

Jeffrey R. Immelt Chairman, GE

Anand G. Mahindra Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

Meg Whitman Former President & CEO, eBay

James D. Wolfensohn Chairman, Wolfensohn & Company LLC

Overview

The basics of leadership haven't changed much over the last 100 years. Leadership is about acting with integrity, persuading others to follow (because they want to, not because they have to), creating a culture of openness, having discipline, communicating clearly, and forging relationships built on mutual confidence. Not much changes during a crisis. Leaders focus on the basics, prioritize, create a sense of urgency, make decisions, and act.

While the core elements of leadership don't change, the tools of leadership and the techniques for training leaders can change. With this in mind, HBS should explore opportunities to change its curriculum to ensure that its leadership education remains at the forefront.
Context

The panelists reflected on important leadership lessons they have learned and how to apply these lessons in times of crisis.

Source:
http://www.hbs.edu/centennial/businesssummit/leadership/leadership-for-the-21st-century.html