In a time marked by relentless volatility, rising uncertainty, and a sense of “perma-crisis,” leaders are searching for ways to stay steady, clear-headed, and connected to what truly matters. Today’s challenges demand not just sharper strategic thinking, but also deeper emotional grounding. It’s not just the mind, but the heart that has to lead.

In this episode, Harvard Business School professor and historian Dr. Nancy Koehn joins host Dr. Antonio Oftelie to bring these concepts to life. Drawing from her book Forged in Crisis and her research on figures like Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and civil rights figures, Dr. Koehn shares how great leaders confronted turbulence, grew their capacity in real time, and guided others through uncertainty. Together, they reflect on practical approaches for cultivating resilience, communicating with honesty and hope, and sustaining oneself while offering grounded insight for anyone striving to exercise leadership today.