Unprecedented times call for unprecedented leadership. In this multimedia article, HBS Professor Linda Hill, Faculty Chair of the Leadership Initiative, and HBS alumnus Dr. Rakesh Suri, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, explore what it takes to build and lead an agile and resilient organization. Dr. Suri and his colleagues have been part of Professor Hill’s longitudinal research on digital transformation, agility, and innovation. Since the Covid-19 crisis, Professor Hill has been checking in with Dr. Suri on a regular basis. During their candid discussions, he shared his thoughts about a range of topics relevant to all leaders: how to manage yourself, how to manage your ecosystem, and how to lead your organization virtually.

After unprecedented lockdowns and restrictions to flatten the curve of Covid-19 infection, business and government leaders are wrestling with the question of when and how to ease them. If there were ever a time for rational decision making, it is now. Leaders should apply three principles to what may be the most consequential decision of their careers.

Workplace relationships are important. According to Harvard Business School Professor Teresa Amabile, when people experience a positive “inner work life,” boosted by camaraderie and close bonds with teammates and coworkers, they tend to be more productive and creative.

One surprising casualty of social distancing? Laughter. Think about it: When was the last time you had a funny thought alone and laughed at it out loud? The isolation we have imposed on ourselves to combat the pandemic is severely curtailing social interaction, leading to decreased laughter, and a consequent reduction in beneficial chemicals that our bodies need.

Much as our hospital system has limited capacity, so do we. In addition to the numerous, tangible challenges many employees now face in getting work done, there are several intangible challenges that we all face that greatly reduce our capacity to do work.

Dr. Amy Edmonson is a Harvard Business School professor and author of The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth. Her research shows that for teams of any type to excel, the team members need to receive continual strong signals that they’re feeling psychologically safe — that is, they belong to the group.

Five questions to ask yourself.

During stressful periods, people look for support from their partners more than ever, but personal space is important too. A Harvard expert on healthy relationships offers advice for the COVID-19 lockdown and beyond.

While we’re all experiencing greater job and family stress in this new normal, recent research has found there are steps that employees can take to protect their well-being.

According to surveys of nearly 240,000 people hospitalized around the country.

A classic business concept — the S-curve — can help chart the way forward.

The coronavirus pandemic might lead to major changes in patient care, physician compensation, and regulation. Experts from Harvard Business School's Health Care Initiative share their predictions.