In this HOW Conversation, Dov Seidman sits down with Devika Bulchandani—COO of WPP, former CEO of Ogilvy, award-winning industry leader, and HOW Institute board member—for a candid and deeply human exploration of leadership in a world defined by speed, AI, and profound tension. 

Devika reflects on the values forged early in her life, her belief that humanity will always win, and the subtle but powerful shift from leading people to having people choose to follow you. She opens up about: 

-Building trust by giving it first 
-Why real leadership happens in micro-moments 
-Navigating the conflict between efficiency and effectiveness 
-The role of truth in creating movements that lead to lasting change 
-How hope is not only a strategy but an imperative 

This conversation is a masterclass in moral leadership, vulnerability, and what it looks like to stay human while leading at the highest levels. 

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

How do leaders navigate moments of profound loss, transformation, and hope? In this HOW Conversation, Dana Born sits down with Dr. Beth Hillman – Air Force veteran, legal scholar, former president of Mills College, and now President & CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Together, they explore lessons in moral courage, civic responsibility, and the power of education to shape not only informed citizens, but moral ones. 

Dr. Hillman shares her journey across the military, academia, and nonprofit leadership, offering insights on listening, pausing under pressure, and meeting people where they are. From stewarding memory at one of America’s most sacred sites to guiding institutions through change, this conversation highlights how values-driven leadership can inspire resilience and hope for the future. 

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive interview from May 30, 2024]

Hubert Joly has worn many hats throughout his life: CEO, author, educator. But no single hat defines his soul. He explains, “I was not the CEO of Best Buy. I had that job, but that was not who I was. Clarity around our purpose in life, I think that's truly foundational.” 

Former CEO of electronic retailer Best Buy and current senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, Hubert Joly has decades of experience leading people and has declared that we need to unleash human magic. “The purpose of business is to contribute to the common good. It's the idea that you place people at the center because people are not a resource. I hate the words, human resources. People are the source. They're the inspiration and also the destination.” 

This week on HOW Conversations, Hubert speaks with HOW founder and chairman Dov Seidman about placing actions behind words, elevating those around us, and leading with a defined sense of purpose. Watch the full conversation now. 

Learn more about Hubert’s book The Heart of Business here: https://www.hubertjoly.org/book/  

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Apr 25, 2024]

“I have a lack of fear of change,” says Dr. Ann Kirschner, a fearless leader known for her pursuit of new challenges and new opportunities. Dr. Kirschner, who is currently the interim president of Hunter College, follows the thread of reinvention, and it’s evident from her diverse background. She’s involved in classrooms and boardrooms, a pioneer in digital technology, and authored Sala’s Gift: My Mother’s Holocaust Story – based off letters her mother received while in Nazi labor camps. 

This week on HOW Conversations, Dr. Kirschner spoke with Dana Born, Distinguished Fellow at The HOW Institute, about another thread she follows: public education. “Public education changes people’s lives," she says. Growing up in Jackson Heights, Queens, “going to New York City public schools, they were not only educating me, they were educating the whole family.”

Dr. Kirschner also speaks on the need for rebuilding trust in higher education and how getting out of your own experience can help build moral muscle.

Check out Sala's Gift here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/book... 

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Mar 27, 2024]

Tom Monahan has always been curious. In childhood exploring his grandparents’ carnival (still in the family today), he’d pepper each guest with questions about the rides and games. “If you ask people, they’ll tell you stuff.” Mr. Monahan, who was recently tapped as CEO of the executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles, keeps his inquisitive nature front and center, always ready to be inspired by a friendly conversation.   

This week on HOW Conversations, Mr. Monahan spoke with Dana Born, Distinguished Fellow at The HOW Institute, about fueling that curiosity and embracing humility. “Anyone who’s lucky enough to lead people and have had professional success, who doesn’t work the word “luck” into their first twenty words of their story has some soul-searching to do.”  

Even after years of success across various sectors, Mr. Monahan has a tenacious passion for developing and impacting emerging leaders.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Jan 18, 2024]

Anthony Foxx knows the power of someone believing in you. “Like many kids I needed to hear, and heard often, that there was something special about me. And I started to believe that.” Mr. Foxx is currently a Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School. Before that, he served as the 54th Mayor of the city of Charlotte and was the city’s youngest mayor in history. He then moved on to serve as the 17th U.S. Secretary of Transportation under the Obama administration.  

This week on HOW Conversations, Mr. Foxx spoke with Dana Born, Distinguished Fellow at The HOW Institute, about creating a wave of empowering those around you. “If you are someone who works with me, you’re also a leader.”  

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Oct 25, 2023]

Leadership Means Doing the Hard Work of Building Up Institutions
Eboo Patel knows leadership is hard work, “Anybody who runs a YMCA, anybody who is a principal of a school, anybody who runs an athletic team, you know that what you have to do is show up everyday and move a half inch forward. That is what building a society looks like.”  Dr. Patel is the Founder and President of Interfaith America, a unique organization that leverages religious diversity to solve societal challenges. On this episode of HOW Conversations, Dr. Patel spoke with Dana Born, Distinguished Fellow at The HOW Institute, about why diversity is essential to a healthy democracy, how leaders need to build up institutions and why he thinks the United States is more like a pot-luck dinner, not a melting pot, “You want people to bring their best dish inspired by their identity and you want those dishes to mix and combine in interesting, creative and delicious ways, and in a space where people can have enriching conversations.” 

B sure to check out Eboo Patel’s new book, We Need to Build, Field Notes for Diverse Democracy. 

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Sep 21, 2023]

Lisa Sherman, President and CEO of the Ad Council, joins The HOW Institute Founder and Chairman Dov Seidman on an all-new episode of HOW Conversations. Together they discuss the new challenges that face leaders in a morally activated world and the frameworks leaders need to help them decide when they should lean-in on social issues. “Finding that intersection as a leader these days between your company’s purpose and an individual’s purpose...that’s where the magic can happen.”

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

 {Archive Interview from Aug 17, 2023]

On this episode of HOW Conversations we welcome Lieutenant General Brian W. Cavanaugh, a Marine Commander. He joined Distinguished HOW Fellow, Dana Born to talk about how Lt. Gen. Cavanaugh draws inspiration from the junior Marines under his command and the importance of leading with empathy, “If you can really walk in other people’s shoes and understand where they are going you can help them get there. And every time you help someone in your unit, your unit gets better. Empathy is key to that, from a moral leadership perspective.”   

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Jul 20, 2023]

Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, joined Dov Seidman, Founder of The HOW Institute, on a new episode of HOW Conversations to discuss Mr. Walker’s new book, From Generosity to Justice: A New Gospel of Wealth. “I was born into an America that believed in my promise.” Mr. Walker tells Dov, “I had hope, hope is the oxygen of democracy. And philanthropy is, in some ways, the business of hope.”

Watch the full episode to learn why Mr. Walker, who is also on the Board of Directors of The HOW Institute, believes philanthropy must harness hope and move beyond charity to address both dignity and justice. 
 
Order your copy of From Generosity to Justice:
https://www.fordfoundation.org/news-a....

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Jun 15, 2023]

“I don’t think there is such a thing as leadership without ethical or moral leadership,” Deval Patrick tells Dana Born on this episode of HOW Conversations. The Honorable Patrick served two terms as the governor of Massachusetts, the first Black person to serve in that role. He is now a professor of practice and the co-director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School.  

Watch the discussion with Governor Patrick and Distinguished HOW Fellow, Dana Born, that touches on leading during crisis, the need for moral leadership in a democracy, and why he believes that leaders can be kind and generous but still have the tough-mindedness to make hard choices. “It is about struggling with the conflicts that you will always find as a leader, as a human being for that matter, between the thing you think you need to do that’s expeditious or seems convenient at the time, and the right thing over time.”  

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from May 11, 2023]

“We need to talk a lot more about love,” Dr. Brenda Cassellius tells HOW Fellow Dana Born on HOW Conversations. “Leaders are constantly giving out love to their teams, to their mission and their purpose. Showing love and doing that unconditionally gives people hope.” Dr. Cassellius has been an educator, administrator and leader and was recently named Executive Director for Fresh Energy.  Over her 30-year career she’s learned that moral leaders inspire people by touching their hearts, not just their minds. Watch the full episode and hear more about the connection between love and trust and why Dr. Cassellius says leaders need to get “spicy” every day.  

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Aug 20, 2025]

What does it take to build one of the largest women-founded and women-owned construction companies in the United States—and lead with purpose through challenges, pivots, and loss?

In this HOW Conversation, Dana Born sits down with Linda Rabbitt, Founder of Rand Construction, to explore her journey of resilience, mentorship, and moral leadership. From lessons learned from her father to navigating setbacks, grief, and reinvention, Linda shares how she has stayed true to her values while paving the way for others.

✨ Topics include:

• Turning setbacks into opportunities for growth
• The power of resilience, relationships, reputation, and results
• Mentorship and sponsorship as keys to elevating women leaders
• Leading with humility, humanity, and hope in difficult times

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Apr 26, 2023]

Rear Admiral Shoshana Chatfield knows that making a difficult decision is never easy, but when done with thought and care, it is an opportunity to learn and grow, “Being a moral leader is being a leader who is willing to engage ethically in self-reflection and also in a broader conversation about how and why we are doing things.” Rear Admiral Chatfield is the President of the Naval War College, the first woman to hold that position. She spoke with HOW Fellow, Dana Born, on an all-new HOW Conversations. Watch the full episode an learn how Rear Admiral Chatfield uses empathy, listening and values to exercise her moral muscles. 

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Mar 15, 2023]

“Why? Why not? And where’s the data?” These are the three questions Honorable Gina Ortiz Jones asks every day. “They’re simple questions,”  she says, but they show, “the holes, assumptions and…also the data that we’re not collecting.” Honorable Jones is the former Under Secretary of the Air Force. She joined HOW Fellow, Dana Born, for a new episode of HOW Conversations.  Watch the full episode to hear how Honorable Jones’ mentors helped her focus on a path that would lead her to become the first openly lesbian undersecretary of any military branch. 

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Jan 24, 2023]

Bill George has a challenge for the next generation — lead with authenticity. “We need you as leaders to step up now and hear the call.”  Bill is a professor at Harvard Business School, a best-selling author and the former CEO of Medtronic.  On this new episode of HOW Conversations Bill spoke with Dov Seidman, Founder and Chairman of The HOW Institute, about why emerging leaders must keep their purpose and values in sight. When they do, Bill says,  "the world is a better place...and not just for the people on top, but for everyone.”   

Bill's new book, written with Zach Clayton, “True North, Emerging Leader Edition,” is available on Amazon https://a.co/d/gLmDkvb

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from May 23, 2022]

As the leader of the oldest university in the U.S. and one of the most prestigious schools in the world, Dr. Larry Bacow, the President of Harvard University, has had to make his share of difficult decisions using moral authority. To guide him, he has a strong but simple values-based leadership framework, “Do the right thing, it is usually not that difficult to figure out. It is often excruciatingly difficult to do. And that’s when you really need to do it.”   

We were honored to welcome Larry for a new episode of HOW Conversations with the HOW Institute Founder and Executive Chairman, Dov Seidman. In their wide-ranging discussion Larry spoke about values of a leader, Harvard’s recently released report, Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery, and why he believes, “we bear a moral responsibility to address the persistent corrosive effects” of slavery. They also discussed Larry’s principled leadership for taking a stand on societal issues and leading a large university through a pandemic.  “You cannot lead unless you can persuade people the future is going to be better than the present,” he told Dov in the latest edition of our leadership video series, HOW Conversations. 

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Apr 29, 2022]

“The companies that stay true to their purpose, they have better performance... it's like a compass, it's telling you what is important, what is not important, in everything that you do.” Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla believes strong company morals and vision can make or break a company. Dr. Bourla joined Dov Seidman for an episode of HOW Conversations where they discussed the uprising of stakeholder capitalism, leading in crisis, and the inspirational story behind Dr. Bourla’s new book – Moonshot: Inside Pfizer's Nine-Month Race to Make the Impossible Possible.  Dr. Bourla explains why ethical leadership is important and the pressure of decision making as a leader. 

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Mar 17, 2022]

“An empathetic leader can tolerate friction. The empathetic leader doesn't see friction or pushback or disagreement as a sign of personal failure, but a sign that he or she is dealing with human beings.” MIT professor and The Empathy Diaries author Dr.Sherry Turkle believes the last two years of pandemic isolation has prepared us for empathy, mutuality and principled decision making. Sherry joined Brig. Gen. Dana Born for HOW Conversations where the two discussed radical empathy in the workplace, values-based leadership and Dr.Turkle’s practices for empathy. Sherry also explains an empathetic leadership framework that can aid moral dilemmas when making a decision.

The Empathy Diaries is now available in paperback! https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/bo...

Check out Dr. Sherry Turkle's other book, Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other
https://www.amazon.com/Alone-Together...

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Feb 24, 2022]

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of Anti-Defamation League, doesn't like what he sees.  Hate -- of all kinds -- is on the rise.  In his new book, It Could Happen Here, Why America is Tipping from Hate to the Unthinkable – And How We Can Stop It, Jonathan explains what’s at risk if we don’t confront hatred head-on but also why he is hopeful; he believes that decent, moral people far outnumber the haters. In part-two, Jonathan sits down with Dov Seidman to discuss how we can tap into our moral courage to speak up when we see injustice and why we need values-based leadership in a transactional world. Jonathan also explains moral decision making as a leader and gives an authentic apology framework.

Use promo code "ADLMEMBER" at checkout for an exclusive discount on Jonathan's book, It Could Happen Here.
https://www.harpercollins.com/product...

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

 [Archive Interview from Feb 24, 2022 ]

CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, Jonathan Greenblatt, knows what it's like to have moral authority but doesn't believe everyone needs it to make principled decisions.  "The most important question of our time is also the simplest, 'Now what?  I’m upset what do I do?' Many of us have the moral capacity to lead and people are looking for leadership and than doesn’t mean they need a messianic figure, but the spark that catalyzes them can be incredibly consequential."

Jonathan sat down with Dov Seidman for a new two-part episode of HOW Conversations.  They spoke about Jonathan’s new book, It Could Happen Here, Why America is Tipping from Hate to the Unthinkable – And How We Can Stop It. Their conversation touched on how to use moral courage to fight hate, why we need strong human connections in a transactional world and moral responsibility.   
Use promo code "ADLMEMBER" at checkout for an exclusive discount on Jonathan's book, It Could Happen Here.
https://www.harpercollins.com/product...

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Jul 13, 2021]

The pandemic was a time when people in all spheres of society were being called up to be leaders.  “You have to take that role and responsibilities very seriously. It’s not just about yourself it’s about your community,”  Dr. David Agus tells Dov Seidman on part two of their HOW Conversation.  “As a leader, your behavior influences many, many others. We all have to realize that. This pandemic brought that out in spades.”  Dr. Agus explains how he makes values-based decisions when facing a dilemma where all the data may not be available and the importance of moral responsibility in science. 

Dr. Agus is the founding Director of the Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine at the University of  Southern California and a professor of medicine and engineering at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and Viterbi School of Engineering.  Watch the full episode to learn why Dr. Agus believes the best treatments combine science with hope.  “When I can convey that hope to others, I know they feel better.”

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Jul 6, 2021]

Dr. David Agus believes leaders have a moral responsibility to be transparent and accurate, especially during a pandemic, “We saw people just talking and not thinking of the ramifications of their words and of their actions. There weren't people stepping up to really normalize the right ideas, the right behavior and it became more about a belief system than data.” He sat down with Founder and Executive Chairman of the HOW Institute, Dov Seidman, where the two discussed frameworks for values-based decision making, battling misinformation in science and adapting under pressure.

Dr. David Agus specializes in treating cancer and is a researcher at the Ellison Institute at the University of  Southern California.  He is also a regular contributor to CBS News and has spent much of the past year answering questions about COVID-19 and vaccines on TV and social media.     

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive interview from Jul 17, 2025]

What does it mean to lead with moral clarity when the stakes are high and the pressure is on?

In this episode of HOW Conversations, Dana Born sits down with Chip Brewer, President & CEO of Topgolf Callaway Brands, for a compelling discussion on leadership grounded in values, integrity, and bold decision-making.

From pausing before acting in moments of controversy, to building cultures that prioritize innovation and character, Chip shares powerful stories from his leadership journey — including the moment he walked away from a product launch, the lessons golf teaches us about life and leadership, and why moral leadership is both a mindset and a muscle.

This is a must-listen for anyone interested in purpose-driven leadership, ethical decision-making, and creating cultures rooted in trust and transformation.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Jun 28, 2021]

Sondra Samuels has been admirably leading her North Minneapolis community through challenges for more than 20 years.  Last year, the founder and CEO of the Northside Achievement Zone - known as NAZ --  relied on her values-based leadership frameworks when the pandemic hit her neighborhood hard followed by the murder of George Floyd just a few miles away.  Sondra believes progress comes through unity, “Those of us in any leadership capacity that has to be our rallying cry, I don't move forward without you and you don't move forward without me, no matter how much you think you do.”  Sondra talks with Dov Seidman about how she brings people together to have difficult conversations, used a pause to start community healing after George Floyd’s murder and why she believes true justice starts with extending mercy.  The two also discuss the moral imperative for leading with empathy and the importance of community leaders.

NAZ is a collaborative of 33 community-based organizations and 8 schools providing family support to make measurable change in North Minneapolis.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Jun 17, 2021]

Jennifer Musisi has been threatened by men with machetes and once found a grenade under her car.  Both encounters occurred while she was serving as the Executive Director of Kampala, Uganda, a position similar to a big city mayor.  

“It was scary, some of us were attacked, some of my staff were physically beaten up,”  Jennifer Musisi tells Dana Born, HOW Institute Distinguished Fellow, on the latest episode of HOW Conversations.  Jennifer was given a mandate to clean up corruption in Kampala and when she started modernizing the tax collection system she made some people very upset, “but it made me realize that if they're willing to put up a fight this big, that means what they're losing is also very big. So that even gave us more determination and made us resolute to fight for the benefit of the citizens.”  Despite the dangers, Jennifer says she never thought of quitting, “when we're entrusted with leadership, we're entrusted with responsibility to make change where change needs to be made.”  

Jennifer and Dana also discussed frameworks for making change and building systems of accountability, the moral imperative of upholding ethical standards and elevating others.  Jennifer served as the Kampala Executive Director for eight years and is now the City Leader in Residence at the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative at the Ash Center.   

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Jun 10, 2021]

"We all are leaders, we can't just criticize what's going on out there without taking some responsibility for in here, in our hearts."  Senator Cory Booker joined Dov Seidman on a new episode of HOW Conversations. It's not often we hear the words 'love' and 'politics' in the same conversation but Senator Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, told Dov he believes leadership, in particular American leadership, is founded in love and love can help cure what ails society, "This world needs the best of what America is.  Not a divisive cacophony of conflict but a country that finds common ground and stands together for our common values.... We need millions and millions of those moments where we stop and lead with love."   

Senator Booker and Dov's wide reaching discussion explored how we can overcome political division through values-based leadership, the importance of taking risks with humility and how we can all come together through leadership and values. The two also discussed leadership frameworks, reimagining capitalism and building moral authority. 

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Jun 3, 2021]

Dr. Heather Wilson knows a thing or two about leadership, she’s had an incredibly varied and impressive career.  Dr. Wilson graduated from the Air Force Academy and went on to start her own company.  She has been an advisor to U.S. national laboratories on nuclear weapons and non-proliferation, a cabinet secretary in New Mexico’s state government, a U.S. Congresswoman and served as the 24th Secretary of the Air Force and is currently the president of University of Texas El Paso. 

“Building relationships of trust over time is one of the most important things you can do as a leader.” Dr. Heather Wilson tells The HOW Institute Fellow Dana Born on a new episode of HOW Conversations.  “Over time, those relationships of trust and that network of trust that radiates out from you is invaluable. Because when things get really hard, I don't need anything else.”  Dr. Wilson explains how to develop and build relationships of trust, her leadership frameworks, and leading through the pandemic with values-based leadership.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive interview from May 27, 2021]

“I believe that businesses cannot prosper in a failing world,” Ajay Banga, the Executive Chairman of Mastercard, tells The HOW Institute Founder, Dov Seidman, on a new episode of HOW Conversations.  Ajay explains why he thinks capitalism as we know it needs an overhaul and why business is in need of values-based leadership. “This [wealth] inequality, this climate inequality, they don't work for me, and they don't work for my children, and they don't work for you.”

Ajay, who is a founding Board Member of The HOW Institute, and Dov also discuss Mastercard’s decision to keep all employees on the payroll during the pandemic even though the costs hurt the company’s bottom line, “It's a tough hit, but it's the right hit for the long term, you know why? Because those very people are far more loyal today. And by the way, the skills they have is what's made our company what it is.” Ajay explains Mastercard's company morals, establishing a respectful culture and he shares leadership advice for emerging moral leaders.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from March 12, 2021]

Angela Ahrendts believes success comes from putting others first and utilizing values-based leadership frameworks, “My definition of moral leadership is always doing what’s best for the greater good of the whole, not yourself, not your boss, not your board.” Angela, a HOW Institute Board Member and the Chair of Save the Children International, spoke with Dov Seidman, Founder and Chairman of The HOW Institute, on the second part of their HOW Conversations.  

The two discuss how seeing humanity in others leads to a more thoughtful work culture, fostering meaningful connections and the imperative of stakeholder capitalism. “All stakeholders have got to be involved in a company's success or I believe in the future your company won't be successful,” Angela tells Dov.  Angela was formerly the SVP of Apple Retail and CEO of Burberry and she has some good advice for those just starting out on their leadership journey.  Watch the full episode to hear more from Angela and learn about the findings of The HOW Institute’s new Human Connection in the Virtual Workplace report.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from March 4, 2021]

“Deep values help build deep trust. Deep trust empowers individuals. And it unites groups of people, ordinary people, to collectively do extraordinary things,” says Angela Ahrendts, a member of the Board of The HOW Institute and the Chair of the Board of Save the Children International.  Angela spoke with Dov Seidman, Founder and Chairman of The HOW Institute,  on this special episode of HOW Conversations.  

Angela is the catalyst behind The HOW Institute's research report Human Connection in the Virtual Workplace. The report found that since the start of the pandemic human connection was strained for all employees but for some more than others, particularly women and younger workers. Yet, the findings also showed workers felt more meaningfully connected when their supervisors exhibited and embodied responsible, ethical and moral leadership behaviors. 

 The two also discuss the role of love in business, leadership frameworks for working virtually and engendering trust in others. “Our job as leaders is to look ahead, use our instincts to unite our teams of people. What underpins all of that is trust, ” Angela tells Dov. 

Watch the episode to hear why Angela believes that trust allows us to make deeper human connections and what she learned about moral leadership while she was the SVP of Apple Retail and the CEO of Burberry.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview Feb 25, 2021]

When leaders invest in others it drives their own success forward says Paul Polman, member of the Board of The HOW Institute.  Paul spoke with Dov Seidman, Founder and Chairman of The HOW Institute in Part Two of their HOW Conversations.  

If investing in others works for individuals then, “it must be true for companies as well, because companies are a collective of individuals” says Paul.  But putting others, not just shareholders, at the center of the company takes moral courage and needs a framework.  Paul co-founded IMAGINE, an organization that is helping leaders be brave and work toward long term solutions for the challenges of sustainability and inequality.  

Paul and Dov also discuss finding your moral compass, the importance of moral authority paired with formal authority and insight to how we can scale moral leadership. Watch the second part of this HOW Conversations and learn why Paul has hope for a better future.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview Feb 18, 2021]

“COVID has been a rude awakening for most of us. For the first time we have seen that our current system isn't really working as well as we intended,” says Paul Polman a HOW Institute Board Member and the former CEO of Unilever. Paul spoke with Dov Seidman, Founder of The HOW Institute, in this episode of HOW Conversations about the challenges and the opportunities the pandemic has revealed.  

Paul told Dov that a greener, more inclusive future is within reach but it will take moral leadership and courage from individuals plus strong public and private partnerships, “Business cannot succeed in societies that fail nor can business be a bystander in a system that gives them life in the first place.”  The two also discussed the shortage of moral leaders (and why they still have hope for a turnaround), making long-term moral decisions and goals, and implementing strong company morals. 

In 2019 Paul co-founded Imagine, an organization dedicated to helping CEOs and businesses be sustainable, equitable and inclusive.  Watch part one of Paul's HOW Conversations to hear some of his solutions for a better, healthier post-pandemic world.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview Feb 4, 2021]

The first time Ellen Ochoa applied to NASA’s space program she wasn’t selected but she saw her rejection as an opportunity, “Sometimes people ask, ‘Well, how did you cope with that failure?’ But I didn’t really see it as a failure. I knew the odds were low, and I had the chance to go to Johnson Space Center to meet other astronauts and get some ideas of what might make me a better candidate in the future.”  Not long afterwards Ellen was selected.  She went on to become the first Hispanic, woman astronaut and flew four missions to space.  Later she took the helm of the Johnson Space Center as its director. “I think redefining failure is important,” Ellen tells Dana Born, HOW Institute fellow, on this episode of HOW Conversations. 

When things don't go right, Ellen says to ask yourself, "What can I learn even though I didn't do as well as I want?" Watch this episode to see why Ellen believes moral leaders need to be humble and curious. And find out how she and her crewmates repaired a torn solar panel on the International Space Station and turned what could have been a failure into a success. 

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Jun 17, 2025]

In this powerful HOW Conversation, HOW founder Dov Seidman sits down with Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action and author of Fired Up, to explore how an ordinary moment turned into a national movement. Shannon shares how moral courage, storytelling, and a refusal to quit helped build the nation’s largest grassroots group fighting gun violence. 

They discuss: 

• How Shannon turned outrage into organized action after Sandy Hook 
• Lessons on scaling a movement from passion to institution 
• Why “losing forward” is key to long-term change 
• The practice of pausing, humility, and handing over power 
• Her new book Fired Up – part manifesto, part roadmap for reigniting purpose 

Whether you’re an activist, leader, or someone seeking your next bold step, this conversation is for you. 

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Jan 28, 2021]

“There's no one right way to lead,” says retired General Janet Wolfenbarger, a trailblazing leader in the U.S. military.  In 1980, she graduated from the Air Force Academy in the first class of women and went on to become the first woman in the Air Force to receive four stars.  Janet says although there are many paths to moral leadership, watching and listening to others guided her, “The biggest teacher for me of a good leader came from observing people in leadership roles. Understanding what approaches, character traits, and values were articulated, how they worked and, in some cases, didn't work.” 

Janet spoke to HOW Institute Fellow, Dana Born, in this latest episode of HOW Conversations where the two also discussed the advantages of being a "quiet leader", transitioning skills from the military to the corporate world and how anyone can be a moral leader.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview Jan 14, 2021]

“One of the things that I think is important to any moral leader is the ability to do self-reflection and be honest with yourself,” says retired Chief Master Sergeant Kaleth O. Wright.  Kaleth was the highest-ranking enlisted man in the Air Force when he retired last year and is now the CEO of the Air Force Aid Society.  

He spoke with Dana Born, HOW Institute Fellow, about how his moral leadership journey led him to post a heart-felt essay on Twitter after the death of George Floyd.  In the post Kaleth called upon himself to, “do better in ensuring every Airman in our ranks has a fair chance at becoming the best version of themselves,” and took responsibility for not doing more.  Kaleth also discussed finding courage as a leader, how being in charge means making impossible decisions, and the benefits of having tough conversations with those in your community. 

Watch the full episode to learn why Kaleth wrote the essay and why he believes moral leaders need to be both courageous and vulnerable.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

[Archive Interview from Dec 17, 2020]

Moral leaders must have a strong sense of purpose and must be willing to put personal desires aside to achieve shared goals, says retired General Stanley McChrystal. “Things only matter if they link to a purpose that we've all looked at and we've all accepted, and we are committed to.  As a leader I have to keep pointing where we want to be going,” Stan told Dana H. Born, HOW Institute Fellow on this episode of HOW Conversations. 

The two also discussed transparent leadership, being intentional within leadership and moral decision making. Gen. McChrystal spoke about leadership built on values and the importance of active citizenship.  Stan is the CEO and founder of the McChrystal Group in Alexandria, VA.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/  

[Archive Interview from Dec 3, 2020]

"We’re never going back to life as it was in January 2020," says Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation. Darren spoke with Dov Seidman, the Founder and Chairman of the HOW Institute for Society on this episode of HOW Conversations. In a post-COVID world, “moral leaders see themselves as part of something bigger than themselves,” says Darren. And to meet the challenges of the post-COVID world moral leaders will need a new set of skills including, “empathy, compassion, humility, curiosity and grace.”

Darren and Dov discussed finding shared truths and building trust, the characteristics of a moral leader and leading through nuance. Darren explains the imperative for finding hope during times of crisis and the importance of empathy in society. 

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/  
 

[Archive Interview from Nov 19, 2020] 

Retired Air Force General David Goldfein says,  “The higher you go in rank and responsibility the harder the decisions are, and they should be.” Dave spoke with HOW Institute Fellow, Dana H. Born, in the latest episode of HOW Conversations.   Dave tells Dana he’s learned it can be lonely at the top because when it comes to moral dilemmas and making tough decisions,  “some number of people are not going to like the direction you take, and so don't take the happy road, take the right road.”  

Dana and Gen. Goldfein discussed the need for recognizing when you have blinders on certain situations, how to develop moral leaders and making risk decisions. Hear more from Dave Goldfein about moral leadership including why it is important to have a diverse team around you and why leadership is a privilege.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/  

[Archive Interview from Oct 29, 2020]

Admiral William H. McRaven is the former director of U.S. Special Command Operations where he commanded the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden.  'Speaking truth to power can always be dangerous,'  but being truthful is the 'foundation of integrity,'  McRaven tells Brig. Gen. Dana H. Born in this episode of HOW Conversations.

The two also discussed bringing truth and trust to leadership, finding moral courage and making authentic apologies. Admiral McRaven explains how the truth can be dangerous, the need for having humility as a leader and how to create a wave of moral leadership.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/  

[Archive Interview from Oct 27, 2020]

On this episode of HOW Conversations, the CEO of Levi Strauss & Co. Chip Bergh tells Dov Seidman how difficult it was to learn only about 3% of Levi’s leadership management are black and how he’s leading the plan to fix the problem using transparency and humility. ‘A diverse organization at all levels will outperform a homogenous one every single time’ Chip tells Dov. 

Chip and Dov discuss the hard choice Chip had to make to lay off staff during the crises and what Chip learned about leadership from the Army. The two also talk about having a leadership playbook, CEO activism and the importance of taking care of yourself. 

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/  
 

[Archive Interview Oct 27, 2020]

Admiral James Stavridis says when leaders set positive goals and visions people will stand and deliver—leaders need to be “dealers of hope.”   Admiral Stavridis is a member of the board of The HOW Institute and an Operating Executive at the Carlyle Group.  He spoke with HOW Senior Fellow, Brigadier General Dana Born, in the first of a series of special HOW Conversations with military leaders.  

The two also discussed the difficulty of making decisions in moral nuance, leading with humility and the difference between leadership and character. Watch the full episode with Admiral Stavridis to learn more about the difference between leadership and character and which books every moral leader should read.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/  

[Archive Interview Oct 27, 2020]

Lt. General Nadja West, the recently retired Army’s top doctor, knows what it takes to be a successful moral leader. She was one of the first women to graduate from West Point and went on to earn a medical degree. Lt. Gen. West spent 37 years in the military rising to become a three-star general and the first black Surgeon General of the U.S. Army. 

In this episode of HOW Conversations, Lt. Gen. West spoke with Dana Born, HOW Fellow, about the importance of leading with dignity and respect, taking the time to be empathetic, and remembering your humility. The two also discussed finding your purpose, communicating with stakeholders of tough decisions and values-based frameworks for leading. Watch the full episode to learn more on moral leadership, leading with empathy and finding humility.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/  

[Archive interview from Oct 27, 2020] 

Nancy Gibbs, the former editor in chief of TIME magazine, the Lombard Director of the Shorenstein Center at Harvard Kennedy School and a HOW Institute Board member, says we are at an extraordinary moment in history.  Faced with the simultaneous crises of a pandemic, economic instability and social injustice, moral leadership has evolved from worthy pursuit to a critical survival skill.  In the premier episode of HOW Conversations Nancy speaks with Dov Seidman, founder and chairman of The HOW Institute for Society.

The two discuss shared truths in a fractured society, the thought of leadership as a survival skill and building frameworks. Watch the full interview to learn more about moral leadership, values-based frameworks and the imperative for rebuilding trust.

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/  

[Archive Interview from May 28, 2025]

What does it mean to lead with integrity when the whole world is watching? 

In this inspiring HOW Conversation, Chief Master Sergeant Jo Bass—the first woman and Asian American to hold the top enlisted role in the U.S. Air Force—opens up about her journey, the evolution of purpose, and what it really takes to lead with moral courage. 

From humble beginnings and a Honda Civic to guiding over 600,000 service members, Chief Bass shares hard-earned wisdom on: 

• Finding purpose through service 
• Building moral muscle in a divided world 
• Staying grounded in values when making tough decisions 
• Creating a culture of resilience and well-being 

This episode is packed with honesty, heart, and hard truths—and it’s a must-listen for anyone committed to leading with humanity. 

READY TO START YOUR MORAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY? Moral leadership is more imperative today than ever before. The HOW Institute for Society was founded on the belief that those in positions of formal authority should also have moral authority.  We are creating the tools leaders need to make principled, ethical and values-based decisions.  We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world rooted in deep human values and trust in our social fabric. The Institute channels philosophical reasoning to address modern problems. Today, HOW we do what we do matters more than ever and in ways it never has before.  

Learn more at https://thehowinstitute.org/   

For this episode of HOW Conversations, Dov Seidman spoke with Angela Ahrendts.  Angela is an incredibly inspirational person who has always endeavored to put heart and humanity at the center of business.  Her list of accomplishments is long: she’s the former CEO of Burberry, a former Senior Vice President at Apple Retail, she’s also a member of the HOW Institute for Society’s board of directors and she recently joined the Save the Children International as the Chair of the Board.   Dov and Angela's conversation touches on leading with empathy and the importance of human connection at work. 

In this installment of the HOW Conversations podcast, co-host Dana Born had the honor of chatting with her former classmate at the Air Force Academy, retired U.S. Air Force General David Goldfein. General Goldfein – who prefers to be called Dave now that he’s retired - dedicated his life’s work to serving the United States, notedly referring to his job as a sacred duty. During his time as a command pilot he was shot down, rescued and led missions to rescue others.   By the time  Dave retired in 2020 he was the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, overseeing almost 700,000 service men and women - a tremendous leadership responsibility and one that he did not take lightly.   Listen as Dana and Dave discuss the importance of serving with humility, courage and building a strong moral character. 

In this installment of the HOW Conversations podcast, Dov Seidman speaks with Darren Walker, the President of the Ford Foundation, a global, social-justice philanthropy. Under Darren’s leadership, the Ford Foundation became the first non-profit in US history to issue a $1 billion social bond. The proceeds were used to strengthen and stabilize non-profit organizations in the wake of COVID-19.  Darren is also a board member of The HOW Institute, he is at the vanguard of the kind of leadership we need in this world. In this conversation Darren shares his insights on the urgent need for moral leadership, and the importance of restoring truth and trust in society. 

Ajay Banga is the former Executive Chairman and CEO of Mastercard, during Ajay’s 12-year tenure, Mastercard’s revenue tripled, but what makes Ajay so admirable is how he led Mastercard with his heart, putting moral decency at the center of the culture and of all decision making. He has proven that companies can do well by doing good.  Ajay's conversation with Dov Seidman took place in 2021 just as Ajay was wrapping up his time at Mastercard and he was reflecting on how he, and other leaders at the company, had paused and then pivoted to help employees deal with the many ups and downs of the pandemic.