Most efforts to transform organizations will fail, writes Michael Beer, the Cahners-Rabb Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus, at Harvard Business School. "And, in most cases, these efforts will miss the mark not because the new strategy is flawed, but because the organization can’t carry it out," according to Beer's recent article on strategy. To survive the pandemic, Beer writes, leaders must examine six hidden barriers that make their companies ineffective: Unclear values and conflicting priorities Ineffective senior team Ineffective leadership styles Poor coordination Inadequate leadership development Inadequate vertical communication Click for article  

Even at the most respected companies that follow meticulous succession processes, well-suited candidates may not even make it into the shortlist because they get overshadowed by “safe” or “chosen” candidates, according to a Harvard Business Review report. The report identifies three reasons companies often pick the wrong leaders. Likability, it turns out, counts more than it should. Research shows that highly decisive leaders are 12 times more likely to excel as CEOs, but they tend to ruffle feathers. Their performance reviews might include statements such as "doesn't play nice in the sandbox" and "needs to soften her approach." Click for article