Think Ahead
Think Ahead is a monthly podcast from London Business School that brings together thought leaders and distinguished guests to debate and discuss hot topics in the business world and beyond. Each episode offers fresh perspectives on what matters most, helping listeners navigate the present and prepare for the future. The show is produced by Think at London Business School.
Episodes
Can AI make better people decisions than humans?
Decisions about who to hire, promote and reward shape organisational performance, culture and fairness. For decades, we have heavily relied on intuition. As data and AI become more embedded in the workplace, leaders face a critical question: how should evidence and human judgement work together in people decisions?
Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics and Dean of London Business School, is join
Who’s really in charge? Human oversight in an age of autonomous AI
As AI evolves from offering advice to taking action, organisations face a critical question: who is really in charge?
To discuss, Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics and Dean at London Business School, is joined by Dr Ekaterina Abramova, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Management Science and Operations at London Business School, and Sue Preston, Worldwide Vice President and General Manager of Ad
Can your business thrive in today’s landscape?
How can organisations stay agile as markets shift, technologies accelerate and global pressures reshape business overnight? In this episode of Think Ahead, Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics and Dean at London Business School, speaks with Jessica Spungin, Adjunct Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at LBS, and Suzanne Heywood, Chief Operating Officer of Exor and Executive Chair of CNH In
How influence really works in modern leadership
In a world defined by uncertainty, the leaders who thrive are those who understand how influence, trust and human psychology shape decision-making and team performance.
In this episode of Think Ahead, Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics and Dean at London Business School, sits down with Niro Sivanathan, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School, and Diana Torres, Senior M
Living the 100-year life: Leading and thriving in an age of longevity
How do you thrive in a world where living to 100 could become the norm? In this episode of Think Ahead, host Sergei Guriev is joined by two leading voices shaping the future of work and retirement:
- Lynda Gratton, Professor of Management Practice in Organisational Behaviour at London Business School
- Andy Briggs, Group CEO of Phoenix Group, the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement busin
Currency crossroads: The dollar, the Euro, and the future of global power
As global monetary dynamics shift, the challenge for business leaders is no longer just about managing exchange rates but about strategy, resilience, and long-term competitiveness.
Hélène Rey, Lord Bagri Professor of Economics at London Business School, joins Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics and Dean of London Business School, to explore how the erosion of the US dollar’s dominance, the Eur
Decoding the digital consumer: Data, experimentation and AI
In an era defined by digital transformation, data abundance and consumer fragmentation, organisations face a new imperative: to thrive in complexity.
In this episode, host Sergei Guriev is joined by Professor of Marketing, Anja Lambrecht and Chief Economist of Zalando, Greg Crawford to explore how firms can build agility, resilience and strategic foresight by leveraging data, economics and AI.
Regulation, reporting, and the value question: ESG in a shifting landscape
As sustainability regulation accelerates across global markets, the real challenge for business leaders is no longer just about ticking boxes but about strategy, transparency, and long-term value creation.
Professor Marcel Olbert, Assistant Professor of Accounting, and Katharina Neureiter, Co-Head of Global Sustainability at The Carlyle Group, join host Sergei Guriev, Dean of London Business Sch
Beyond greenwashing: How ESG became a corporate battleground
As political backlash against the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework intensifies, the real questions facing corporate leaders are no longer about terminology or disclosure but about strategy, legitimacy, and resilience. Ioannis Ioannou, Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Anna Lungley, Head of Sustainability Consulting at Fujitsu, join host Sergei Guriev, Pro
think ahead: Highlights from season two
As London Business School marks its 60th anniversary, the season finale of Think Ahead steps back to reflect on the defining conversations that shaped this year’s series. Host Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics and Dean of London Business School, revisits pivotal moments with faculty, alumni, and global leaders who explored the forces reshaping business – from ethical leadership and employee e
think ahead: The future of AI: Regulation, geopolitics and business impact
As AI continues to reshape the global business landscape, regulation is emerging not merely as a compliance issue, but as a strategic concern. From data governance and energy demands to talent mobility and market access, the evolving policy environment around AI is influencing where and how organisations can innovate, invest, and compete.
In this episode, Michael Jacobides, Professor of Strate
think ahead: AI-ready marketing: The next shift in digital marketing strategy
The digital marketing landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with AI, automation, and data-driven strategies redefining how brands connect with consumers. How can businesses adapt and stay ahead in this rapidly changing environment?
Host, and Professor of Economics, Dean of London Business School, Sergei Guriev is joined by Xu Zhang, Assistant Professor of Marketing, and Alex Schultz, C
think ahead: Leading through polarisation: Navigating divides in today's workplace
Societal polarisation is on the rise, with political divides, environmental concerns, generational shifts, and controversial public figures shaping today’s workplace dynamics. Issues such as climate change, corporate sustainability, and healthcare innovation are becoming increasingly contentious, adding to the challenges business leaders face. How can they foster cohesion while navigating these gr
think ahead: Unlock the power of purposeful teams: How to motivate, strengthen relationships, and drive results
In this episode, Sergei Guriev, Dean of London Business School and Professor of Economics, delves into the key elements of building and leading purpose-driven teams. He is joined by Professor Randall S Peterson, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School, and Helen Beurier, Chief People Officer at Newton, a management consultancy.
Our panellists discuss the three critical fac
think ahead: Master the art of ethical leadership: Build trust and navigate complexity
What does it mean to be an ethical leader in today’s interconnected and diverse world? This episode explores the fundamental principles of ethical leadership, highlighting how leaders can cultivate trust, accountability, and inclusivity to create resilient, thriving organisations.
Hosted by Sergei Guriev, Dean of London Business School and Professor of Economics, this episode features Elinor Flyn
think ahead: Resilience through disruption and transformation
In this episode of the think ahead podcast series, Professor Costas Markides, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, sits down with John Fallon, former CEO of Pearson, one of the UK’s largest educational organisations, to explore how companies can navigate the challenges of digital disruption and transformation.
Together, they discuss the pivotal strategies Pearson employed to shift from tra
think ahead: Tackling digital risks in the era of AI
With the continual rise of digital risks from cyberattacks to misinformation, this episode of the think ahead podcast series explores the current challenges and threats to organisations as the volume and scale of disruptions continues to rise.
Professor S. Alex Yang, Professor of Management Science and Operations at London Business School, host of the podcast, is joined by Gal Sadeh, Principal A
think ahead: Eco-innovation in action: transforming business through sustainability and circular economy solutions
Eco-innovation is reshaping industries by embedding environmental goals directly into business models that not only reduce harm but actively restore resources.
This edition of the think ahead podcast series is hosted by Professor Yiannis Ioannou and explores real-world cases of eco-innovation in action. Sean Millard from The Royal Mint shares insights on transforming electronic waste into high-val
think ahead: Universal ownership: Navigating climate change
In this second episode of a two-part special edition of the think ahead podcast series focusing on sustainability, Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance at London Business School talks with Tom Gosling, Executive Fellow of Finance at London Business School about universal ownership and its role in tackling climate change.
Universal ownership is the concept that institutional investors hold such large,
think ahead: Rational sustainability
In this first episode of a two-part special edition of the think ahead podcast series focusing on sustainability, Tom Gosling, Executive Fellow of Finance at London Business School, talks with Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance at London Business School. They delve into a radical new perspective that explores retiring the term ESG in favour of ‘Rational Sustainability.’
Taking us through a trilogy
think ahead: How belonging transforms organisations
“When different minds connect, ideas grow into something even bigger”
Besides academic research and intergroup relations, what are the practical applications organisations can implement to drive forward belonging?
From the business case for diversity to the case for fairness, we look at the factors that leaders need to address in order to build representative teams and create a culture of belon
think ahead: Next-Gen Finance - Innovation shaping the future of Fintech
As new technology continues to fuel innovation, how will this impact the rising growth of the fintech industry?
In this edition of the think ahead series, Gary Dushnitsky, Associate Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship at London Business School and Paul Christensen, CEO & Co-founder of Previse explore advances in technology and the disruptors pushing forward the fintech sector.
Listen to their
think ahead: Career Reinvention - Hints and Tips for Making the Transition
As we live longer, face a myriad of new challenges, opportunities and increasingly question the role of work in our lives, there is a growing trend of revisiting the idea of a career for life. More and more of us are interested in exploring career opportunities outside the traditional box, to pursue different directions, realign our professional lives to our passions and create a work/life balance
think ahead: The Power Paradox - How dominance and humility can shape leadership success
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a humble leadership style versus a dominant style of leadership? In this edition of the think ahead podcast series, two of our leading faculty make the case for opposing leadership styles in a lively discussion and exchange of ideas.
Dan Cable and Niro Sivanathan, both Professors of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School, draw on their exten
think ahead: Breaking barriers - Female entrepreneurs, navigating obstacles and paving the pathway to success
This episode of the think ahead podcast series explores the issues that women continue to face in achieving success as entrepreneurs and looks at how these barriers can be overcome.
Julian Birkinshaw, Olenka Kacperczyk and Rupal Patel discuss the obstacles facing female entrepreneurs as they strive to run successful business. How far do we have to go to achieve a fair representation of female entr
think ahead: How can AI be the answer to our environment crisis?
In this episode of the think ahead podcast, we look at how AI can be part of the solution to the global environment crisis. Julian Birkinshaw and Jean Pauphilet discuss the ways in which AI has the potential to be a central component of the solutions to reduce our environmental footprint. The discussion explores how AI tools are being applied to cleaning up plastic from the oceans, weather forecas
think ahead: Navigating the ESG investment landscape and business accountability
In this episode of the think ahead podcast, Julian Birkinshaw and Ioannis Ioannu address key questions around ESG and sustainability. They discuss investing in ESG funds and the potential benefits and downfalls this entails as well as shareholder activism, investor motivation and how asset managers can impact change.
They also discuss business accountability through the lens of people, planet and
think ahead: How can business and society take advantage of AI opportunities?
In this episode of the think ahead podcast, Julian Birkinshaw and Michael Jacobides discuss some of the many questions that were raised by our audience at our recent think ahead event on The Business Implications of AI. They answer questions about generative AI and the phenomenon that is ChatGPT, looking at how this is driving efficiencies for both individuals and businesses. They also explore the
think ahead: Issues and uncertainties in the global economy
How can businesses deal with the challenges and opportunities facing them from global economic pressures and uncertainties? This was one of the questions discussed at a recent LBS event by a panel of LBS faculty that included Professor Richard Portes, Professor Lucrezia Reichlin, Professor Jérémie Gallien, and Professor Nicos Savva. The panel explored the multiple inter-connected pressures on the
think ahead: Breakthrough growth and how to achieve it
What is breakthrough growth and what are the secrets to achieving it? Julian Birkinshaw, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Vice Dean at London Business School and Helen Edwards, Adjunct Associate Professor of Marketing, discuss what it means, how to achieve it and the pitfalls to avoid.
Julian and Helen introduce a detailed discussion on the topic, which was recently held at LBS, in
