CEO Series: Ursula Burns on Leading with Authenticity at Xerox

CEO Series: Ursula Burns on Leading with Authenticity at Xerox

Author: Harvard Business Review May 27, 2021 Duration: 29:32
Ursula Burns, CEO of Xerox from 2009 to 2016, rose from humble beginnings to become the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. In this interview with HBR editor-in-chief Adi Ignatius, she talks candidly about the frequent challenges and occasional advantages of being "the only" and explains why organizations needs to do a better job of promoting both economic and racial equality -- themes that also animate her new memoir, "Where You Are is Not Who You Are".

Each week, the HBR IdeaCast from Harvard Business Review sits down with experts whose ideas are shaping the world of work. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a conversation focused on practical insights for leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs navigating real challenges. You'll hear from scholars, CEOs, and innovators dissecting topics across management, marketing, and organizational strategy, translating complex research into actionable advice. The discussions get into the nuances of building effective teams, driving growth, making strategic decisions, and understanding the forces transforming industries. By tuning into this podcast, you gain access to the forefront of business thinking, a resource for anyone looking to sharpen their skills and lead more effectively. The consistent, in-depth dialogue provides a valuable perspective that goes beyond headlines, offering a deeper understanding of how to succeed in a competitive landscape. It's a direct line to the ideas that matter, presented through thoughtful conversation designed to provoke reflection and inspire change in your own professional approach.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

HBR IdeaCast
Podcast Episodes
The 2 Types of Respect Leaders Must Show [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:34
Kristie Rogers, an assistant professor of management at Marquette University, has identified a free and abundant resource most leaders aren’t giving employees enough of: respect. She explains the two types of workplace r…
How Some Companies Beat the Competition… For Centuries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:26
Howard Yu, Lego Professor of Management and Innovation at IMD Business School in Switzerland, discusses how the industrial cluster in the Swiss city of Basel is a unique example of enduring competitive advantage. He expl…
Architect Daniel Libeskind on Working Unconventionally [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:26
Daniel Libeskind, a former academic turned architect and urban designer, discusses his unorthodox career path and repeat success at high-profile, emotionally charged projects. He also talks about his unusual creative pro…
When India Killed Off Cash Overnight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:38
Bhaskar Chakravorti, the dean of global business at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, analyzes the economic impact of India’s unprecedented demonetization move in 2016. With no advance warning, India pulled the tw…
Getting People to Help You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:31
Heidi Grant, a social psychologist, explains the right ways and wrong ways to ask colleagues for help. She says people are much more likely to lend us a hand than we think they are; they just want it to be a rewarding ex…
How to Become More Self-Aware [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:17
Tasha Eurich, an organizational psychologist and executive coach, talks about why we all should be working on self-awareness. Few people are truly self-aware, she says, and those who are don’t get there through introspec…
Bill Clinton and James Patterson on Collaboration and Cybersecurity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:15
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and author James Patterson discuss their new novel, The President is Missing, in which a fictional president fights a cybersecurity attack amid intense political dysfunction. The coauth…
Ask Better Questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:06
Leslie K. John and Alison Wood Brooks, professors at Harvard Business School, say people in business can be more successful by asking more and better questions. They talk through what makes for a great question, whether…
How AI Is Making Prediction Cheaper [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:41
Avi Goldfarb, a professor at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, explains the economics of machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence that makes predictions. He says as prediction gets che…
Dual-Career Couples Are Forcing Firms to Rethink Talent Management [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:31
Jennifer Petriglieri, an assistant professor of organizational behavior at INSEAD, asks company leaders to consider whether they really need to relocate their high-potential employees or make them travel so much. She say…