Why Business Leaders Need Political Diplomacy Skills Now

In this HBR IdeaCast episode, Alison Beard and Adi Ignatius discuss the anxieties of corporate leaders regarding changing geopolitical dynamics and economic policies. They interview Srividya Jandhyala, an associate professor at ESSEC Business School and author of "The Great Disruption," about navigating these challenges through corporate diplomacy. Jandhyala explains how geopolitics have shifted from a tailwind to a headwind for companies, affecting even small and mid-sized businesses. She emphasizes the need for companies to scan the environment, personalize information, and adapt their strategies, organizational structures, and talent to address issues like market access, competition, investment security, and the cost of doing business. The conversation also touches on the role of former diplomats, lobbying, the integration of government affairs into strategy, and the impact of new technologies on estimating political risks, highlighting companies like Shein as examples of those navigating this complex landscape.