Let’s talk about a subject that in its most narrow interpretation has become a bit taboo in today’s world and with good reason. That subject is how you appear to the world. The taboo part refers to all the myriad of ways we react as humans to the physical presentation of others. Some aspects of… Continue reading Personal Presentation
Author: Kevin Sharer
Simplifying Complexity
Beginnings are a good chance to think about objectives and plans, so let’s review what some of the big ideas here at HBS should be for you. For most of you those include learning to be a leader and critical thinker, meeting new friends, having new experiences, learning about yourself and perhaps positioning yourself for… Continue reading Simplifying Complexity
PRIMARY COLORS Bringing Clarity to Career Planning
The new year starts. For the class of 2019, the new, challenging, and hopefully rewarding world of HBS is coming into focus. For the class of 2018, the freedom, diversity, and enrichment of the EC year awaits. The question of career and first job choice is lurking somewhere in just about everyone’s psyche though as… Continue reading PRIMARY COLORS Bringing Clarity to Career Planning
What Are the Elites To Do
You may wonder why this subject has anything to do with you as you work hard at school, try to find a job, and balance a hopefully fulfilling and busy personal life with everything else that is going on. For most of you, let’s not even talk about your current balance sheet and cash flows.… Continue reading What Are the Elites To Do
Thank You Mr President
This Thanksgiving, like many of you, I spent a few minutes contemplating my many blessings. One blessing in particular provoked a surprising flood of gratitude in my heart: I am deeply and profoundly thankful to Barack Obama for his service to our country over the past eight years. No, this is not a back… Continue reading Thank You Mr President
Deciding on a Job: Don’t Overthink It
Last year the column entitled Primary Colors provided a framework for how to think about career choices. The main thesis of the piece was that there were three broad pathways to choose between, and the fundamental choice was deciding which one appealed to you. These pathways were described as operator with CEO being the ultimate… Continue reading Deciding on a Job: Don’t Overthink It
A Teachable Moment
Every once in a while something happens in the business world that compels us to stop, take notice, reflect, and learn. Enron’s collapse, the financial crisis, the VW diesel emission scandal, and BP’s Macondo oil well explosion come to mind. The Wells Fargo reputation implosion unfolding now is another example, and it is full of… Continue reading A Teachable Moment
Protecting the American Innovation Ecosystem
As he was driving to meet a schoolmate acquaintance with an intense and deep experience base in politico-military affairs, he wondered what to talk about. They had met a few times, had friends in common, but no deep shared experiences or obvious common interests. Maybe the meeting was about fundraising given the new person’s position.… Continue reading Protecting the American Innovation Ecosystem
It’s Legal but is it Right?
Google the phrase “do the right thing” to see the many ways in which this mantra is intrinsic to American and other healthy cultures. At HBS this message is paramount. It goes without saying that we all want to be successful in life and business, always in ways that are rewarding, legal, honest, and honorable.… Continue reading It’s Legal but is it Right?
Your Moment to Shine: The Presentation to the C-Suite
Dylan is scheduled to make his first presentation to the sector executive with responsibility for his boss’ business. He’s excited and a bit worried. Though he spent a few years in consulting and did well at HBS, he realizes that as an operating manager he is now in a new environment where the stakes are… Continue reading Your Moment to Shine: The Presentation to the C-Suite
Aim High?
By Harvard Business School Professor Kevin Sharer, Former Amgen Chairman & CEO Bill floated on air as he headed out of his office, toward the bar down the street. His annual review had exceeded his highest hopes. He knew he was good, but this confirmed to him that others knew it too. “Your achievements this… Continue reading Aim High?
Professor Kevin Sharer: Listening is Underrated
By Professor Kevin Sharer, HBS Professor & Former AMGEN CEO When we think about “Leadership” we think about action. The word is kinetic. What verbs come to mind? Decide. Choose. Inspire. Speak. Allocate. Risk. Win. Here at HBS, where our mission is to develop leaders, we reward these actions explicitly through the practice of assessing… Continue reading Professor Kevin Sharer: Listening is Underrated
Kevin Sharer: Beware the Press
HBS Professor Kevin Sharer, former CEO of Amgen, shares his insights on how to approach and handle the press. Sometime in your career and perhaps much earlier than you now imagine, you will find yourself working with the press or being a subject of press interest. This possibility may conjure pleasant thoughts of personal or… Continue reading Kevin Sharer: Beware the Press
A Memo to VW’s CEO, Dr. Müller
Professor Kevin Sharer, former CEO of Amgen, has some advice for leaders who find themselves charged with investigating and cleaning up a catastrophe. It has happened again. For the at least fifth time in fifteen years another enormous, preventable, and egregious transgression has been purposefully or carelessly committed by a previously respected company. It will… Continue reading A Memo to VW’s CEO, Dr. Müller
Professor Kevin Sharer: What is Your HBS Strategy?
Professor Kevin Sharer, former CEO of Amgen, makes the case for developing an explicit strategy for your time in school. Steve Hind, editor of The Harbus, wrote in the last edition to suggest that you think purposefully about the choices you make at HBS with an eye towards social choices in general and some EC… Continue reading Professor Kevin Sharer: What is Your HBS Strategy?
Primary Colors: Bringing Clarity to Career Planning
Professor Kevin Sharer, former CEO of Amgen, outlines the three big considerations to keep in mind as you think about the next stage of your career. The new year starts. For the class of 2017, the new, challenging, and hopefully rewarding world of HBS is coming into focus. For the class of 2016, the freedom,… Continue reading Primary Colors: Bringing Clarity to Career Planning
KEVIN SHARER: THE JOURNEY BEGINS
Professor Kevin Sharer, former CEO of Amgen, the world’s largest biotechnology company, shares his thoughts on the five things the Class of 2015 can do to have a successful life and career. Spring is a time of new beginnings and so it is for over nine hundred members of the class of 2015 who enter… Continue reading KEVIN SHARER: THE JOURNEY BEGINS
CEO seven months after HBS
Professor Kevin Sharer, former CEO of Amgen, shares the story of a HBS graduate who found himself the owner and CEO of a multi-million dollar company just seven months after graduating from his MBA. [stag_dropcap font_size=”50px” style=”normal”]W[/stag_dropcap]e at HBS are rightly and deservedly known as the institution most focused on the general manager’s view, and we… Continue reading CEO seven months after HBS
Kevin Sharer: Turn Up the Music
Former Amgen CEO and HBS Professor Kevin Sharer asks how music can help us unlock the creativity needed to innovate and thrive. [stag_dropcap font_size=”50px” style=”normal”]T[/stag_dropcap]he night air is sweet, cool, and soothing at this most iconic of all music venues in the City of Angels. Eighteen thousand people wait in delicious anticipation for one of the greatest… Continue reading Kevin Sharer: Turn Up the Music
