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Great Leaders Question Philosophical Assumptions

Hoque, Faisal ; Scade, Paul ; Sanklecha, Pranay and Spoelstra, Sverre LU (2026) In Harvard Business Review
Abstract
Business leaders increasingly face decisions that are not just technical or financial but deeply philosophical. Questions about what a company is for, what counts as reliable knowledge, and what responsibilities organizations owe customers, employees, and society now shape strategy as much as markets or technology. Yet most executives have never been trained to think explicitly about these issues. Developing philosophical proficiency can help leaders surface the hidden assumptions that guide their choices. By examining the nature of their business, clarifying how evidence and expertise are evaluated, and defining the ethical commitments they are willing to defend even under pressure, leaders can make decisions with greater consistency and... (More)
Business leaders increasingly face decisions that are not just technical or financial but deeply philosophical. Questions about what a company is for, what counts as reliable knowledge, and what responsibilities organizations owe customers, employees, and society now shape strategy as much as markets or technology. Yet most executives have never been trained to think explicitly about these issues. Developing philosophical proficiency can help leaders surface the hidden assumptions that guide their choices. By examining the nature of their business, clarifying how evidence and expertise are evaluated, and defining the ethical commitments they are willing to defend even under pressure, leaders can make decisions with greater consistency and credibility. Companies that do this well build clearer identities, stronger decision processes, and more resilient cultures. Over time leaders must also cultivate practical wisdom, the judgment that comes from testing ideas against real situations. Organizations that practice this reflection adapt faster and lead. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to specialist publication or newspaper
publication status
published
subject
categories
Popular Science
in
Harvard Business Review
publisher
Harvard Business School Publishing
ISSN
0017-8012
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c8ebe6e8-c938-4bc7-9764-6e81741d1a71
alternative location
https://hbr.org/2026/06/great-leaders-question-philosophical-assumptions
date added to LUP
2026-07-11 17:17:52
date last changed
2026-08-04 15:57:05
@misc{c8ebe6e8-c938-4bc7-9764-6e81741d1a71,
  abstract     = {{Business leaders increasingly face decisions that are not just technical or financial but deeply philosophical. Questions about what a company is for, what counts as reliable knowledge, and what responsibilities organizations owe customers, employees, and society now shape strategy as much as markets or technology. Yet most executives have never been trained to think explicitly about these issues. Developing philosophical proficiency can help leaders surface the hidden assumptions that guide their choices. By examining the nature of their business, clarifying how evidence and expertise are evaluated, and defining the ethical commitments they are willing to defend even under pressure, leaders can make decisions with greater consistency and credibility. Companies that do this well build clearer identities, stronger decision processes, and more resilient cultures. Over time leaders must also cultivate practical wisdom, the judgment that comes from testing ideas against real situations. Organizations that practice this reflection adapt faster and lead.}},
  author       = {{Hoque, Faisal and Scade, Paul and Sanklecha, Pranay and Spoelstra, Sverre}},
  issn         = {{0017-8012}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{06}},
  publisher    = {{Harvard Business School Publishing}},
  series       = {{Harvard Business Review}},
  title        = {{Great Leaders Question Philosophical Assumptions}},
  url          = {{https://hbr.org/2026/06/great-leaders-question-philosophical-assumptions}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}