Leading business minds

Some lethality is intentional, such as overwhelming military force, yet there are other types of lethality. In this piece Neil Stott, Management Practice Professor of Social Innovation and Co-Director of the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation at Cambridge Judge Business School, argues that organisational lethality – the capability and capacity to kill – is increasingly pervasive. He says there is an imperative to treat organisational lethality not as a regretful by-product of organising but as a moral failure requiring urgent collective action.

Strategic AI linkups between tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft and smaller firms drive innovation and growth, but should address power imbalances, data control and ethical challenges, says research from Cambridge Judge Business School and the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing.

Leadership that inspires awe in followers can bring unity and purpose to organisations, but beware the dark side of worship as well as hubris. Professor Jochen Menges and other Cambridge Judge researchers explore the interplay of charisma, awe and narcissism, and develop a framework to help firms channel inspiring leadership for the common good rather than aggrandisement.