Rik Kirkland

Artificial intelligence meets the C-suite

July 13, 2017

Here is a brief excerpt from an interview of the authors of The Second Machine Age, Erik Brynjolfsson,  Andrew McAfee, and Jeremy Howard who examine the impact that “thinking” machines may have on top-management roles for the McKinsey Quarterly, published…

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Adam Grant on “Six secrets to true originality”

November 30, 2016

Here is a brief excerpt from an article in which Rik Kirkland interviews Adam Grant for the McKinsey Quarterly, published by McKinsey & Company. Grant shares six tips on generating great ideas, including reframing your creative process, not worrying about…

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Tracy Wolstencroft, CEO of Heidrick & Struggles, on the changing nature of leadership

June 16, 2015

Here is a brief excerpt from an interview of Tracy Wolstencroft, CEO of the global executive-search firm. He explains the importance of authentic leadership, listening, and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.To read the complete article, check out other resources (a…

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Heineken’s CEO on leading a 150-year-old company

November 6, 2014

As Heineken marks its 150th year, CEO Jean-François van Boxmeer speaks about innovation, managing for the long term, and how he aims to uphold the company’s rich legacy. What challenges are unique to leading an iconic company deep into its…

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The Great Decoupling: Now What?

October 1, 2014

Here is a composite of several brief excerpts from interviews of several thought leaders conducted by Rik Kirkland for The McKinsey Quarterly, published by McKinsey & Company. The rapid advance of machine learning presents an economic paradox: productivity is rising,…

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Wharton’s Adam Grant on the key to professional success

June 26, 2014

Here is a brief excerpt from a transcript of an interview of Adam Grant by Rik Kirkland for the McKinsey Quarterly in which Grant explains why generosity in the workplace continues to be more effective than selfishness and why it…

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Leading in the 21st century: An interview with Shell’s Ann Pickard

June 23, 2014

Here is a brief excerpt from an interview of Ann Picard by Rik Kirkland for the McKinsey Quarterly, published by McKinsey & Company. To read the complete article, check out other resources, learn more about the firm, obtain subscription information,…

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Leading in the 21st century: An interview with HCA CEO Richard Bracken

December 4, 2013

Here is a brief excerpt of an interview of Richard Bracken conducted by Rik Kirkland, Ramesh Srinivasan, and Rick Schlesinger. The chairman and chief executive officer of one of the world’s largest operators of health-care facilities discusses leadership in a…

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Blogging on Business Update from Bob Morris (Week of 5/20/13)

May 27, 2013

I hope that at least a few of these recent posts will be of interest to you: BOOK REVIEWS Breaking Out: How to Build Influence in a World of Competing Ideas John Butman What You’re Really Meant to Do: A…

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Connecting everything: A conversation with Cisco’s Padmasree Warrior

May 20, 2013

Padmasree Warrior, Cisco’s chief technology and strategy officer, describes how the exponential growth of connectivity between people and devices, both mobile and network, will change commerce, business systems, and individual behavior. Despite two decades of increasing connectivity between people and…

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