Trump’s chilling effect on big business, with Harvard Business Review’s Adi Ignatius

In this episode of Rapid Response, Bob Safian interviews Adi Ignatius, the former editor-in-chief of Harvard Business Review, about the unprecedented challenges facing business leaders today. They discuss the impact of AI and geopolitical uncertainty, emphasizing the need for CEOs to become knowledgeable about AI and develop their own "foreign policy" to navigate political complexities. Ignatius introduces the concept of "Davos Man" versus "Mar-a-Lago Man," highlighting the tension between stakeholder capitalism and a more traditional focus on shareholder value. The conversation touches on the pressure CEOs face to take political stances, the situation in China and Russia, and Harvard's response to attacks from the Trump administration. Ignatius shares leadership lessons from his time at HBR, stressing the importance of soft skills and the ongoing search for a new paradigm in business that goes beyond just the stock price.