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Citigroup finds itself in a classic leadership bind. The bank recruited Andy Sieg in 2023 to accelerate its wealth strategy and simplify a sprawling organization. Since then, Citi has pointed
Alejandro “Alex” Valladares, a SAM alumnus and former Marshall University chapter president, is making an impact as a Quality & Process Excellence Senior Associate at PwC. His leadership journey shows how SAM involvement prepares students for meaningful careers. Discover how Alex’s story inspires future leaders to pursue excellence and global opportunities.
This week’s roundup tracks how leaders handle scrutiny, culture, retention, and risk in a volatile environment. You will see why Citi is backing a top executive during an ongoing investigation, how psychological safety drives innovation, and what happens when a firm tightens non-compete rules during a rough market patch. We also highlight new research on crisis readiness and a governance probe into alleged diversity data manipulation.
In many organizations, leadership is expected to have all the answers. Managers create strategies, set expectations, and issue instructions that employees are tasked with executing. This top-down approach has long been the standard model, especially in traditional corporate settings. It reinforces the idea that leadership is about control and decision-making, while frontline workers are there to follow direction. While this structure can create a clear chain of command, it also produces blind spots. The people making decisions are often several steps removed from the work itself and may not have the context needed to solve problems effectively.
If you are passionate about ideas, research, and the power of knowledge to shape the future of management, the Knowledge and Publications Committee offers an exciting opportunity to make an impact. This committee is at the heart of SAM’s mission to provide thought leadership, share best practices, and foster innovation among professionals, educators, and students in the management field.
Paramount Skydance is moving fast to translate a complex merger into a simple operating thesis. The company will lean on a reliable drumbeat of live events, a clearer release cadence for films and series, and a heavier use of artificial intelligence to improve development and personalization. The centerpiece is a seven year, multibillion dollar agreement that shifts UFC from a pay per view habit toward a streaming habit inside Paramount+.
This week’s edition tracks how leaders are reshaping strategy through media rights, governance reforms, board appointments, workplace policy, and geopolitics. Paramount’s UFC deal signals a bolder streaming play tied to film output and live sports. McKinsey’s new leadership model aims to cool succession drama. BP’s chair pick links governance directly to execution. Starbucks tightens in-office expectations to reinforce culture. Intel faces Washington scrutiny that blends national security with executive accountability.
In today’s data-rich workplaces, performance metrics are everywhere. Managers track revenue per employee, cost per unit, customer satisfaction scores, and dozens of other indicators meant to guide decisions. These numbers provide clarity and structure in environments that are often fast-paced and uncertain. They offer a snapshot of how things are going and make it easier to set goals and evaluate outcomes. But when numbers begin to dominate the conversation, they can create a false sense of control. Organizations may start optimizing for what is easiest to measure rather than what actually drives long-term success. As a result, what was meant to support performance begins to distort it.
If you have a passion for connecting people, growing networks, and spreading the word about the value of professional engagement, the Membership and Marketing Committee could be your perfect place to serve. This committee plays a critical role in ensuring that the Society for Advancement of Management (SAM) continues to thrive by attracting new members, supporting current members, and creating opportunities for meaningful involvement.
Contributing as a discussant at an academic conference can be one of the most rewarding and sometimes most intimidating roles you will undertake. Whether you are a graduate student stepping into your first session or an early career scholar looking to refine your approach, knowing how to prepare, provide candid yet supportive feedback, and engage attendees in genuine dialogue can transform your impact on the research community.
Gucci, one of the most recognized names in the luxury sector, is entering a defining chapter in its history. Sales have fallen by roughly twenty five percent and profits have been cut nearly in half, creating a sharp contrast to the brand’s legacy of strength and influence. These numbers reflect more than short-term turbulence. They signal a deeper vulnerability at a time when competition in the luxury market is more intense than ever.
IndusInd Bank of India has appointed Viral Damania as CFO effective September 22, 2025. This follows a $230 million loss tied to accounting irregularities of internal derivative trades. The accounting lapse also prompted earlier resignations by former CEO Sumant Kathpalia and deputy Arun Khurana. Damania, with 27 years of banking experience including senior finance roles at Bank of America India and Citibank North America, is expected to help stabilize financial reporting, reinforce internal controls, and rebuild credibility.
In many organizations, the pace of work is relentless. Meetings fill the calendar, emails stack up, and people rush from task to task with little time to think. On the surface, this level of activity may look like productivity. Teams appear busy, deadlines are met, and metrics are updated. But beneath the surface, important questions often go unasked. Are we solving the right problems? Is this work creating value? Could we be doing it in a better way?
The Society for Advancement of Management has a proud tradition of recognizing individuals and organizations that exemplify excellence in leadership, innovation, and community impact. The Awards Committee is at the center of this tradition, playing a vital role in shaping how we honor those whose contributions make a difference in the field of management.
To our Collegiate Members of SAM, My name is Henry “Hank” Johnson, and I have the privilege of serving as President of the Society for Advancement of Management. This is
Many large employers are tightening hybrid norms to regain speed, alignment, and apprenticeship. Microsoft’s plan to require most employees to work in office at least three days per week is the clearest signal so far. The policy reframes presence as a tool for work that benefits from proximity, not a blanket statement about trust. It also raises hard design questions for leaders. Which activities truly need in person time. How should schedules, spaces, and coaching evolve so that office days raise quality rather than just count attendance.