Staying Principled in a Time of Uncertainty artwork
HBR IdeaCast

Staying Principled in a Time of Uncertainty

Oct 27, 2026 · 31 min

How do you lead through a crisis, build an innovative company, and prepare an organization for long-term success? For Kenneth Chenault, former CEO of American Express and current chairman at General Catalyst, effective leadership starts with two responsibilities: defining reality and giving people hope. Chenault, who led Amex from 2001 to 2018, navigated the company through 9/11 and the 2008 finan…