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• Background Note | HBS Case Collection | September 2015 (Revised March 2018)

  Note on Human Behavior: Situation versus Character

  Nitin Nohria, Sandra J. Sucher, Joseph Badaracco and Bridget Gurtler

  When we think of human behavior, especially from a moral perspective, we often rely on explanations based on character. We think that good decisions and responsible behavior require people with integrity and strong character and that immoral behavior originates within people with little integrity and weak character. However, important research in recent decades strongly suggests that situational factors often dominate character in ethical decision making—for leaders and for members of their organizations. This note summarizes the recent research, shows its implications for the basic steps in ethical decision making, and provides a basis for in-depth discussion of the character-versus-situation question.

  Keywords: Decision Choices and Conditions; Ethics; Behavior; Personal Characteristics; Power and Influence; Situation or Environment;

  Citation:

  Nohria, Nitin, Sandra J. Sucher, Joseph Badaracco, and Bridget Gurtler. "Note on Human Behavior: Situation versus Character." Harvard Business School Background Note 316-078, September 2015. (Revised March 2018.)  View Details

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• Teaching Note | HBS Case Collection | February 2018

  Still Leading Series—Issues in Transitioning to New Forms of Service Later in Life

  Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Rakesh Khurana, James Honan and Ai-Ling Jamila Malone

  The Still Leading case series includes an introductory note, “Still Leading (A): Issues in Transitioning to New Forms of Service Later in Life” and 10 supplementary cases that cover the transition of highly accomplished and prolific leaders (Hon. Robert McDonald, Hon. Mike Bloomberg, Gerry House, Lee Iacocca, General Claudia Kennedy, Sherry Lansing, Dr. Evelyn Murphy, Paul Newman, Hon. Colin Powell, and Louis Gossett Jr.). The Still Leading cases are part of an opening series of cases used in the Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard University. The cases document a number of individual’s lifetime personal and professional trajectories. They focus on the nature of career processes and transitions. The materials offer an opportunity for readers to inductively reason about the structure of significant career transitions and the developmental patterns across different arenas. The cases also create a context for participants to engage in introspection by asking them to reflect on patterns of development in their own career histories.

  Keywords: Leadership; Personal Development and Career; Transition;

  Citation:

  Kanter, Rosabeth Moss, Rakesh Khurana, James Honan, and Ai-Ling Jamila Malone. "Still Leading Series—Issues in Transitioning to New Forms of Service Later in Life." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 318-101, February 2018.  View Details

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• Case | HBS Case Collection | January 2018

  Mary Barra, CEO, General Motors

  Nitin Nohria, Kerry Herman and Sarah Gulick

  Library case detailing the career of Mary Barra, GM’s CEO from January 2014, and her handling of the GM ignitions scandal, GM’s move into electric and autonomous car development, and activist investors.

  Keywords: CEO; female ceo; Automobiles; Leadership; Crisis Management; Auto Industry; Michigan;

  Citation:

  Nohria, Nitin, Kerry Herman, and Sarah Gulick. "Mary Barra, CEO, General Motors." Harvard Business School Case 418-042, January 2018.  View Details

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