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INTERVIEWS

At Eye Level with Experts and Professionals

“Make Sure You Have 35 Years of Experience. And Not One Experience Repeated 35 Times.” — Ken Allen, CEO of DHL

Ken Allen, CEO of DHL, explains what executives will need tomorrow to be able to “deliver”.

“In Times of Confusion, It’s Crucial That the Message Gets Through.” — Abhijit V. Banerjee & Esther Duflo / Photo by Bryce Vickmark/MIT/UPI/laif

Nobel Laureates Esther Duflo and Abhijit V. Banerjee on the surprisingly commonsensical nature of economics, and how COVID-19 will affect the global fight against poverty and the quality of economic policy.

“Passivity Is Depressing, Activity Is Energizing.” — Rosabeth Moss Kanter / Photo: Jason Grow

The doyenne of leadership experts, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, on the importance of advanced leadership in times of crisis, more diversity at the executive level, and the need to reinvent institutions.

“The Focus is ‘Enough’ Rather Than ‘More’”

The mainstream economics notion that unfettered growth accompanied by greater consumption and productivity benefits society is false, argues Rob Dietz, Program Director at the Post Carbon Institute. In an interview with getAbstract, he shares his vision of a new economic way forward.

“If a Diversity Expert Can Fail So Epically, Anyone Can.”

Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran on subtle acts of exclusion, how to recognize them, how to avoid them and how to deal with them proactively – on both sides of a conversation.

“Education Ministries Across Latin America Have Been Quite Creative.” — Lima city at lockdown on coronavirus pandemic in 2020 / Photo: Christian Vinces / getty

Learning loss, especially among the world’s poor, is a major concern following months of school lockdowns. Yet new teaching tools and digital initiatives rolled out during the pandemic could benefit the cause of improving literacy in the long term.

“Our Level of Knowledge About China Is Not Sufficient”

China is systematically trying to expand its influence in the world. China expert Mareike Ohlberg – co-author of Hidden Hand – Exposing How the Chinese Communist Party Is Reshaping the World – speaks of infiltration. In this interview, she explains the methods Beijing is using and why the West must react.

The World Post-Pandemic? It’s Not Going To Be What You Expect. — Paolo Gallo

The “New Normal” has turned into the buzzword du jour. But is the world really going to settle into a new routine following the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic? Author and executive coach Paolo Gallo doesn’t think so.

“It’s Up To the Users To Advocate for Change” — Brian Solis, photo by Stuart Tracte

Has COVID-19-induced physical distancing made our unhealthy relationship with technology worse? Not necessarily, argues digital anthropologist and author Brian Solis. But the time has come for consumers to start demanding for technology that will help us make more of ourselves.

…and unfortunately, this also applies to the economic system the world largely adopted and is now relying on: capitalism. The world’s leading inequality scholar, Branko Milanović talks about global income disparities, resurgent ideologies and the most promising strategies for dealing with both.

“When You Talk to People About Fairness, the Conversation Immediately Becomes Political” — Michael Kearns and Aaron Roth

Computer scientists Michael Kearns and Aaron Roth research how computer programs can affect our lives. Even when written without malice, algorithms have the potential to treat people unfairly or violate their privacy. How do you get algorithms to be decent?

As the world strategizes on what the “New Normal” should look like, Vlatka Hlupic argues that humane, social-minded companies will survive in the post-pandemic world. How can we become part of a company that is a force for good?

“We Lead the World in Science, and We Also Lead the World in Opposition to Science” — Jared Diamond, American historian and anthropologist, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and UCLA professor, playing piano in the living room of his home in the Bel-Air neighborhood of Los Angeles; photo by Damon Casarez /Redux/laif

Jared Diamond, world-famous historian of societal crises and collapses, currently lives in self-imposed quarantine in California. When he’s not writing papers on the birds of New Guinea or playing Beethoven sonatas on the piano, he is concerned about the effect the current pandemic will have on his country and the world. What gives him hope?

“People Who Don’t Feel Respected Will Not Want to Show Up Every Day and Contribute to Your Organization.”

A millennial herself, Crystal Kadakia provides globally relevant insight into her generation in her book, The Millennial Myth. Here, she shares some of her thoughts on how to attract millennial talent.

“You Can Watch the March of Ideas from the Minds of Economists and into Our Lives.”

After decades of free-market policies in the United States and Britain, working-class voters are in full revolt. In The Economists’ Hour Binyamin Appelbaum surveys the last half-century and sees an obvious path from the economics of Milton Friedman, Arthur Laffer and others to today’s disgruntled masses.

Efosa Ojomo, Clayton M. Christensen and Karen Dillon

In one of his last interviews, economist Clayton M. Christenen, who passed away in January, argues that only innovation can lift nations out of poverty.

“The Emergence of Liberty Is Perhaps Even More Surprising than Economic Growth.”

To get an idea of the political construction of the world of tomorrow, one has to travel back in time – sometimes a few thousand years. Renowned MIT economist Daron Acemoğlu talks about the making and the most interesting findings of his new book.

Kai Strittmatter, Foto Anton Turovinin (Piper Verlag) — Kai Strittmatter by Anton Turovinin (Piper Verlag)

The “Middle Kingdom” is back. But not the way one had imagined in the West: While the Chinese economy is growing, the freedoms of the population are dwindling, says China expert Kai Strittmatter.

In his book Open to Think, Dan Pontefract offers strategies for cutting through the clutter, thinking more clearly and making better decisions. His prescription: be more deliberate with your time.

“Public Attention Is Not Awarded Rationally. It Has To Be Carried by a Story” — Robert J. Shiller, Kai Nedden/laif

In his new book, economist and Nobel laureate Robert Shiller argues that he and his fellow dismal scientists need to look beyond the usual data point: Stories are what really drive decisions to spend, save or speculate.

“Access to Much Greater Intelligence Will Be a Step-Change in Our Civilization” — Stuart Russell by Mehdi Chebil/Polaris/laif

Leading computer scientist Stuart Russell on the major breakthroughs towards the first human-level AI, its foreseeable economic and social effects – and the risks of massive pullbacks on the way.

"Many people are underestimating the pace and scope of change and aren’t thinking correctly about how it will appear this time." (Richard Baldwin; Photo by Tmi Kimmo Räisänen) — Richard Baldwin by Tmi Kimmo Räisänen

Economist and bestselling author Richard Baldwin believes that many business leaders and politicians continue to grossly underestimate the impact of digital change. Here, he explains how to position yourself correctly in competition with “Globots.”

To Thrive In Modern Economy, Forget Doing Things the Old Way

During his business career, Lars Kolind was group chairman of Grundfos, the world’s largest manufacturer of water pumps. It might sound like a staid business, but this role led Kolind to groundbreaking epiphanies.

Slowing Down and Connecting with Others Is Good for You

Talk about a paradox: Many busy managers and professionals are around people all day, yet they’re also plagued by loneliness. Michael Lee Stallard is co-author of Connection Culture, and he says this very malaise afflicted him. Stallard was a high-ranking executive on Wall Street but a stranger to his own children. getAbstract: How did you […]

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