Still Leading (B1): Hon. Bob McDonald—Profiting from Purpose

Rosabeth Moss Kanter; Ai-Ling Jamila Malone

Teaching Note | HBS Case Collection | January 2018

Still Leading (B1): Hon. Bob McDonald—Profiting from Purpose

by Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Ai-Ling Jamila Malone

Abstract

This case is included in the Still Leading series, which is part of an opening series of cases used in the Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard University. This case can also be taught as a standalone case as it is rich with many key leadership lessons that fall outside the series objective. McDonald’s career exemplifies a commitment to values. Throughout his career and life, he consistently maintained a set of values despite the changing context and periods of transition. His values seem to anchor him, especially during uncertain times. Teaching Note for HBS No. 318-050.

Keywords: Leadership; Personal Development and Career; Values and Beliefs; Transition;

Language: English

Format: Print

15 pages

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Citation:

Kanter, Rosabeth Moss, and Ai-Ling Jamila Malone. "Still Leading (B1): Hon. Bob McDonald—Profiting from Purpose." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 318-102, January 2018.

Chinese appliance company Haier's 2016 acquisition of iconic GE Appliances ushered in strategic and structural changes to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship at the U.S. company, and to help it grow. Haier, which had a model designed to bring the company closer to users of its products, wanted GEA to adopt a version of the model that suited the U.S. market, U.S. consumers, and GEA's employees. This case describes GEA's efforts to do that as a member of the Haier Group. Teaching Note for HBS No. 319-044.

Chinese appliance company Haier's 2016 acquisition of iconic GE Appliances (GEA) ushered in strategic and structural changes to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship at the U.S. company and to help it grow. Haier, which had a model designed to bring the company closer to users of its products, wanted GEA to adopt a version of the model that suited the U.S. market, U.S. consumers, and GEA's employees. This case describes GEA's efforts to do that as a member of the Haier Group.

This teaching note assists in the classroom instruction of the HBS No. 318-089, “City Year at 30: Toward Long-Term Impact.” It offers to instructors a case summary and analysis, along with student preparation questions and a guide for classroom discussion of the case. The teaching note helps explain teaching objectives of the case, including lessons on how to manage the growth and evolution of not-for-profit social enterprises and how to pursue even bigger societal change.

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Still Leading (B1): Hon. Bob McDonald—Profiting from Purpose

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