Reflecting on What Matters After a Terminal Cancer Diagnosis

Reflecting on What Matters After a Terminal Cancer Diagnosis

Author: Harvard Business Review October 10, 2023 Duration: 28:24
How does someone who's been told he will die much sooner than expected find contentment in the time he has left? As a former therapist, cofounder of the Deeper Coaching Institute, and business book author, Mark Goulston has spent his entire career trying to help others manage their emotions, improve their communication, and find the right balance between the personal and the professional. Faced with his own cancer diagnosis, he's been reflecting on lessons learned in his own life, things he and clients wish they'd done differently, and how to both prepare for a "good" death and leave a meaningful legacy. He shares his newfound perspective and his advice for early, mid- and late-career leaders.

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 AI Skills You Should Be Building Now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:31
Generative artificial intelligence is here to stay, and that means employees and managers need to think even more carefully about how to make the most effective use of it. Accenture's H. James Wilson, global managing dir…
Dysfunctional Leadership Teams — and How to Fix Them [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:43
CEOs get a ton of credit or blame for a company’s performance. But the entire leadership team is vital to success, and any dysfunction is often overlooked. Sometimes the CEOs leading them don’t even see that they’re not…
Lessons from a Turnaround Expert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:00
When a company, division, or product line has been struggling for some time, it can feel nearly impossible to get things back on track. But big turnarounds are possible, provided you have a team willing to work hard, be…
Is Your Company Reading Data the Wrong Way? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:35
We live in an age where we have more data than ever. But most leaders have two strong reactions to new data. Either they rely too heavily on studies or information to make decisions. Or they dismiss outright data that co…
What to Do When You’re Overlooked [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:13
Are you the sort of person who works really hard, hits your deadlines, runs successful projects, wins over clients... but never seems to get noticed for all that diligence, much less promoted? Especially if you’re on the…
The Right Way to Manage Emotions on Your Team [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:46
Many managers don't know what to say when a team member appears angry, frustrated, or sad. They might even feel it is unprofessional to acknowledge those feelings at all. But research shows that avoidance is costly. Doct…
An Astronaut’s Advice on High-Stakes Collaboration [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:32
It's hard to imagine a more challenging work environment than the International Space Station. During her 24 years as a NASA astronaut, including a six-month stint on the ISS, Cady Coleman learned pivotal lessons about e…
Trying to Persuade and Other Big Mistakes Marketers Make [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:01
Many marketers today focus on getting consumers to consciously change their behavior. But that’s a sure path to failure, according to Leslie Zane, founder of Triggers Brand Consulting. She says neuroscience research show…
Is People-Pleasing Holding You Back? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:52
There's a fine line between pitching in to help your team and taking on too much at the expense of your mental health and performance. Author and coach Hailey Magee walks us through why some of us fall into people-pleasi…
Why We Should Pay More Attention to Departing CEOs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:50
When news breaks of a CEO succession, much of the attention is given to the new leader and how they will change the company. But new research shows that the leave-taking process of the outgoing chief executive is often m…