logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
50m 5s

473: MIT Professor Deborah Ancona on How...

FirmsConsulting.com & StrategyTraining.com
About this episode

Welcome to Strategy Skills, episode 473—an interview with Deborah Ancona, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management.

 

In this episode, we explore "family ghosts," a rarely discussed topic that significantly impacts professional growth, behavior, and attitudes toward work. We discuss how to achieve your greatest potential as a leader by recognizing your own "family ghosts" and determining which ones to embrace or leave behind.

 

Deborah Ancona is a distinguished Professor of Management and Founder of the MIT Leadership Center. Deborah specializes in studying, teaching, and consulting in the areas of individual leadership, team effectiveness, and organizational transformation. Her new work centers on how Family Ghosts end up in the Executive Suite.

 

Deborah is also the coauthor of X-Teams: How to Build Teams That Lead, Innovate, and Succeed, a classic book on teams and collaboration. This work demonstrates how an externally focused team model is key to driving innovation and ensuring your organization's success.

 

Get X-Teams here: https://rb.gy/jyzhwq

 

Here are some free gifts for you:

Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach

 

McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf

 

Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

Up next
Yesterday
592: London School of Economics Lecturer on AI, Strategy, and the Future of Marketing
This week’s podcast features Jenna Tiffany, London School of Economics lecturer, sharing actionable insights on why most marketing misses the mark and what real value looks like in an AI-driven business environment. Key discussion points include: The real reason marketing sometim ... Show More
54m 47s
Oct 6
591: Founder and CEO of Xenopsi Ventures on Behavioral Science That Sells
MichaelAaron Flicker, founder and CEO of Xenopsi Ventures and coauthor of Hacking the Human Mind, explains how applied behavioral science transforms insight into repeatable commercial advantage across brands, products, and customer experiences. Drawing from his experience buildin ... Show More
49m 3s
Oct 1
590: Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author on What Good Leaders Can Learn From Bad Bosses
Mita Mallick, Wall Street Journal–bestselling author and workplace strategist, examines how everyday managerial choices determine whether organizations are resilient, humane, and productive. Drawing on her leadership roles in marketing and human resources, as well as her lived ex ... Show More
52m 8s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
359: Traditional Leadership Is Failing and How High-Performing X Teams Innovate and Excel
🔥 What used to work in leadership doesn’t anymore. Learn what kind of leadership communication actually yields innovative results and growth.As a high-performing leader, you’re constantly juggling responsibilities while navigating rapid change. But what if the key to staying ahe ... Show More
28m 15s
Oct 2024
722: The Playbook for Winning the Status Game (with Alison Fragale, Distinguished Scholar of Organizational Behavior)
Welcome to an interview with the author of Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve, Alison Fragale. In her book, Alison addresses the recurring questions from high powered and early career women alike: How do women thread the needle of kindness and competence in t ... Show More
47m 29s
Dec 2024
Proven Strategies for Building an Audiology Team That Excels in Patient Care | Liz Wiseman
Leaders, including those in audiology, often overburden or underutilize their teams. This can lead to burnout, poor performance, and stagnation. Liz Wiseman, who became a leader at just 24 in a rapidly growing company, faced leadership challenges early in her career. Through obse ... Show More
43m 8s
Oct 2024
227: Building Confidence and Courage at Work with Ellen Taaffe
How can you overcome perfectionism and people pleasing at work?In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I sat down with the extraordinary Ellen Taaffe to delve deep into the intricacies of women's leadership and personal growth. Ellen, with her vast experience spanni ... Show More
39m 52s
Nov 2024
Transformational Leadership
Welcome to another insightful episode of "Accelerate Your Business Growth." Today, we're thrilled to have Brenda Neckvatal, a two-time best-selling author, award-winning HR professional, and serial entrepreneur featured in prominent publications like Forbes and Fast Company. Bren ... Show More
34m 54s
Sep 2023
609: Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action (with the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, Atif Rafiq)
Welcome to an interview with the author of Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action, Atif Rafiq. In this book, Atif shares the breakthrough methods to put your company on the path to innovation, creativity, and growth. Atif has wr ... Show More
52m 37s
Feb 2025
When Hiring, Emphasize Skills Over Degrees
The best leaders know that a person’s skillset and their willingness to learn are more important than the degree they have. Ginni Rometty, former Chairman and CEO of IBM, understands this deeply. She spearheaded a company-wide shift to skills-based hiring and development during h ... Show More
31m 36s
Sep 9
Dr. Colin M. Fisher: The Hidden Science of Group Dynamics | Strategy and Leadership Podcast
How do you build teams that truly work together instead of falling into dysfunction? In this Strategy and Leadership podcast, Dr. Colin M. Fisher—Associate Professor of Organizations and Innovation at UCL School of Management and author of The Collective Edge—shares two decades o ... Show More
25m 15s
Jan 2025
How to Get Leadership Succession Right
When Jason Buechel became CEO of Whole Foods in 2022, he faced the challenge of succeeding co-founder John Mackey, who led the company for over 40 years. This leadership transition was not only a personal challenge for Buechel but also a significant shift for the entire organizat ... Show More
31m 59s
Apr 2025
#234: Mary Barra, Chair and CEO of General Motors – Seek the truth
Ever made a decision based on limited info, internal spin, or wishful thinking? You’re not alone—but there’s a better way. In this episode, David sits down with General Motors Chair and CEO, Mary Barra. She shares how a relentless commitment to the truth leads to better decisions ... Show More
50m 36s