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If/Then

Stanford GSB

How do we lead with purpose, make better decisions, and navigate an uncertain future? On If/Then, Stanford GSB faculty break down cutting-edge research on leadership, strategy, and more, exploring enduring questions and the forces reshaping business and society today, from AI to geopolitics. Hosted by senior editor Kevin Cool.

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  • 22 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 28 min
  • English

Episodes 22

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  • S2 · E37
    Jul 9, 2025 · 23 min

    Think Fast, Talk Smart: "Tensions and Trade-Offs of Leadership and Communication"

    This week on If/Then, we’re sharing an episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, a podcast hosted by Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturer and friend of the show, Matt Abrahams. How do you communicate with others when you’re confused yourself? For fellow GSB lecturer Rob Siegel, leadership isn’t about avoiding uncertainty: it’s about embracing the clarity that ambiguity can bring. In his latest book, “The Systems Leader: Mastering the Cross Pressures That Make or Break Today's Companies,” Siegel explores how leaders today are “living in dualities,” caught between managing existing processes and adapting to emerging disruptions. “The sooner we get comfortable with [change] in the sense of ‘I don't have to like it, but I can deal with it,’ then [we can] lead our teams and give them the calm to know they can get through this.” On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Siegel and Abrahams explore how to communicate effectively amid constant change. From preparation strategies for spontaneous speaking to building trust through candid conversations, you'll hear practical tips for communicating with clarity when nothing is certain but change. More Resources: Rob Siegel, faculty profile Matt Abrahams, faculty profile Think Fast Talk Smart If/Then is a podcast from Stanford Graduate School of Business that examines research findings that can help us navigate the complex issues we face in business, leadership, and society. For a full transcript of this episode, visit our podcast’s website. Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Kevin Cool previews season three and introduces a featured episode from Think Fast Talk Smart. (00:00:40) Introduction to Rob Siegel Matt Abrahams welcomes Rob Siegel and introduces his new book The Systems Leader. (00:01:34) Teaching in a Time of Chaos Rob explains how his course on systems leadership evolved amid global uncertainty and AI disruption. (00:02:39) Frameworks for Modern Leadership Rob outlines key leadership frameworks, including five cross pressures from his book. (00:04:01) Communication’s Role in Leadership They discuss how facts, context, and communication help leaders navigate uncertainty. (00:06:18) Balancing Innovation and Execution The conversation turns to managing the tension between creative innovation and operational goals. (00:08:00) Leading Through Ambiguity They explore how leaders can embrace ambiguity as a normal, strategic part of leadership. (00:09:41) Navigating Short- vs Long-Term Thinking Rob breaks down how leaders balance quarterly goals with long-term planning and vision. (00:12:32) Strength and Empathy in Leadership Matt and Rob examine how leaders can balance warmth and strength in team relationships. (00:16:03) How to Keep Students Engaged Rob shares his best practices for engaging students through preparation, spontaneity, and challenge. (00:18:55) Building Trust Through Genuine Care They reflect on the role of genuine interest in others as a foundation for trust and communication. (00:21:35) Communication Role Models and Recipes Rob names Irv Beck as a communicator he admires and shares his top three ingredients for great communication. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  • S2 · E36
    Jun 25, 2025 · 29 min

    Culture Still Eats Strategy For Breakfast

    Do you stick to the rules or do you roll through stop signs? Whether you’re “tight” or “loose” — how closely you adhere to social norms — has major implications for your life at home and at work. “To be effective, we want to be ambidextrous,” says Michele Gelfand, the John H. Scully Professor in Cross-Cultural Management and Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “Even if we might lean tight or loose, we want to be able to create a context where we can have both tight and loose elements.” Sophisticated strategies will fail if they don’t account for deeply embedded norms, and Gelfand breaks down why the adage that “culture eats strategy for breakfast” is more than just a management cliché. “From the moment we wake up to the moment we go to sleep, [culture is] affecting everything from our politics to our parenting,” Gelfand says. “But we take it for granted — we don’t even think about it. So it’s kind of invisible. And that’s a pretty profound puzzle.” What’s the biggest cultural adjustment you’ve made? Share your story at ifthenpod@stanford.edu. This episode was recorded on January 28, 2025. Related Content: Faculty profile Psst — Wanna Know Why Gossip Has Evolved in Every Human Society? Class Takeaways — The Art of Negotiation Why the Pandemic Slammed “Loose” Countries Like the U.S. If/Then is a podcast from Stanford Graduate School of Business that examines research findings that can help us navigate the complex issues we face in business, leadership, and society. Each episode features an interview with a Stanford GSB faculty member. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Showing 21–22 of 22 episodes