Rita McGrath
@rgmcgrath.bsky.social
Columbia University Business School Professor | C-Suite Strategist | Thinkers 50 Top 10 | Best-selling author | Founder, Valize and Rita McGrath Group
https://linktr.ee/ritamcgrath
https://linktr.ee/ritamcgrath
Pinned
Rita McGrath
@rgmcgrath.bsky.social
· Nov 21
Allow me to formally introduce myself.🤝 My name is Rita McGrath, and I am proud to have authored ideas that the late Clayton Christensen said are "some of the most important in management - ever".👇
A new tool from the Thought Sparks Podcast - Action Points.
Action Points are the shovel-ready strategic insights from my conversations with authors, thought leaders, and industry experts that join me on the Thought Sparks Podcast.
Action Points are the shovel-ready strategic insights from my conversations with authors, thought leaders, and industry experts that join me on the Thought Sparks Podcast.
Thought Sparks Form A10007 - Rita McGrath
Rita's thoughts and insights on the industry are shared on her newsletter, Thought Sparks.
www.ritamcgrath.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:23 PM
A new tool from the Thought Sparks Podcast - Action Points.
Action Points are the shovel-ready strategic insights from my conversations with authors, thought leaders, and industry experts that join me on the Thought Sparks Podcast.
Action Points are the shovel-ready strategic insights from my conversations with authors, thought leaders, and industry experts that join me on the Thought Sparks Podcast.
Big news: I’m writing a new book.
Over the past few years, I’ve advised C-suite leaders facing unprecedented levels of change. The most urgent question they’re asking?
How do we build organizations that can adapt—fast?
Coming October 13, 2026.
#Permissionless #Unbossed #Strategy #Innovation
Over the past few years, I’ve advised C-suite leaders facing unprecedented levels of change. The most urgent question they’re asking?
How do we build organizations that can adapt—fast?
Coming October 13, 2026.
#Permissionless #Unbossed #Strategy #Innovation
October 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Big news: I’m writing a new book.
Over the past few years, I’ve advised C-suite leaders facing unprecedented levels of change. The most urgent question they’re asking?
How do we build organizations that can adapt—fast?
Coming October 13, 2026.
#Permissionless #Unbossed #Strategy #Innovation
Over the past few years, I’ve advised C-suite leaders facing unprecedented levels of change. The most urgent question they’re asking?
How do we build organizations that can adapt—fast?
Coming October 13, 2026.
#Permissionless #Unbossed #Strategy #Innovation
💡30 years ago, we introduced a radical idea: plan to learn, not to be right. Today, that idea - Discovery-Driven Growth - is more relevant than ever. In the mid-90s, the internet was just emerging, and traditional competitive advantages were starting to erode.
apnews.com/press-releas...
apnews.com/press-releas...
Discovery-Driven Planning, A Transformative Approach to Managing Uncertainty, Celebrates 30th Anniversary
How Rita McGrath and Ian MacMillan’s revolutionary idea continues to shape strategy in an uncertain world.
apnews.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:48 PM
💡30 years ago, we introduced a radical idea: plan to learn, not to be right. Today, that idea - Discovery-Driven Growth - is more relevant than ever. In the mid-90s, the internet was just emerging, and traditional competitive advantages were starting to erode.
apnews.com/press-releas...
apnews.com/press-releas...
What do gunpowder, Pampers diapers, the iPhone, and Julia Child's The Art of French Cooking all have in common? They were massive forces of disruption that changed the way we live, all featured in Scott Anthony's new book "Epic Disruptions".
Epic Disruptions: 11 Innovations That Shaped Our Modern World
Epic Disruptions: 11 Innovations That Shaped Our Modern World [Anthony, Scott D.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Epic Disruptions: 11 Innovations That Shaped Our Modern World
www.amazon.com
September 16, 2025 at 4:40 PM
What do gunpowder, Pampers diapers, the iPhone, and Julia Child's The Art of French Cooking all have in common? They were massive forces of disruption that changed the way we live, all featured in Scott Anthony's new book "Epic Disruptions".
I was sad to learn of the passing of fashion icon Giorgio Armani, who defined professional dressing for a generation. In 2024 I wrote an appreciation for an essay collection about him on the occasion of his 90th birthday, which I've reprinted. The man was a genius.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/giorgi...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/giorgi...
Giorgio Armani Does Things His Way
In 2024 I wrote this appreciation for a collection of essays about Giorgio Armani on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Those who have singlehandedly spurred an inflection point in human affairs are a...
www.linkedin.com
September 4, 2025 at 8:20 PM
I was sad to learn of the passing of fashion icon Giorgio Armani, who defined professional dressing for a generation. In 2024 I wrote an appreciation for an essay collection about him on the occasion of his 90th birthday, which I've reprinted. The man was a genius.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/giorgi...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/giorgi...
I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be joining the MIT Sloan Management Review Editorial Advisory Board! It's an honor to offer guidance to SMR on the state of management, and collaborate with my fellow board members to help highlight the best and brightest in research and practice.
#MITSloan
#MITSloan
August 6, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be joining the MIT Sloan Management Review Editorial Advisory Board! It's an honor to offer guidance to SMR on the state of management, and collaborate with my fellow board members to help highlight the best and brightest in research and practice.
#MITSloan
#MITSloan
Great piece in Forbes about strategic optionality, citing one of my favorite reminders that "Snow melts from the edges", from my book, Seeing Around Corners.
www.forbes.com/councils/for...
www.forbes.com/councils/for...
Strategic Optionality: How Global Leaders Build Resilience By Design
The real danger isn't moving too quickly, but committing too early to a single path.
www.forbes.com
August 1, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Great piece in Forbes about strategic optionality, citing one of my favorite reminders that "Snow melts from the edges", from my book, Seeing Around Corners.
www.forbes.com/councils/for...
www.forbes.com/councils/for...
In a rapidly changing world, how should firms and leaders approach value creation?
We're convening the Management Summit this September 23-24 in Lisbon to explore proven strategies for creating value.
Learn more here: www.managementsummit.org
We're convening the Management Summit this September 23-24 in Lisbon to explore proven strategies for creating value.
Learn more here: www.managementsummit.org
July 16, 2025 at 2:05 PM
In a rapidly changing world, how should firms and leaders approach value creation?
We're convening the Management Summit this September 23-24 in Lisbon to explore proven strategies for creating value.
Learn more here: www.managementsummit.org
We're convening the Management Summit this September 23-24 in Lisbon to explore proven strategies for creating value.
Learn more here: www.managementsummit.org
Today's episode of the Thought Sparks Podcast features Frank Rose, a digital anthropologist and senior fellow at the Columbia University School of the Arts.
Watch and listen to Frank's episode: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCw0...
#ThoughtSparks #ThoughtSparksPodcast #StrategicStorytelling #Persuasion
Watch and listen to Frank's episode: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCw0...
#ThoughtSparks #ThoughtSparksPodcast #StrategicStorytelling #Persuasion
The Strategic Edge of Storytelling with Rita McGrath and Frank Rose
YouTube video by Rita McGrath
www.youtube.com
July 15, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Today's episode of the Thought Sparks Podcast features Frank Rose, a digital anthropologist and senior fellow at the Columbia University School of the Arts.
Watch and listen to Frank's episode: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCw0...
#ThoughtSparks #ThoughtSparksPodcast #StrategicStorytelling #Persuasion
Watch and listen to Frank's episode: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCw0...
#ThoughtSparks #ThoughtSparksPodcast #StrategicStorytelling #Persuasion
Here's a scoop - you heard it here first, folks. Sylvia Acevedo, one of my personal leadership icons, rocket scientist, former CEO of the Girl Scouts and much more will be joining our September edition of "Leading Strategic Growth and Change," my Columbia Executive Education course.
July 14, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Here's a scoop - you heard it here first, folks. Sylvia Acevedo, one of my personal leadership icons, rocket scientist, former CEO of the Girl Scouts and much more will be joining our September edition of "Leading Strategic Growth and Change," my Columbia Executive Education course.
One of the best lines ever!
ht Betty Davis.
July 11, 2025 at 1:28 AM
One of the best lines ever!
Reposted by Rita McGrath
Maybe it's time to understand why, from the 1980s, US productivity went to profits and not to wages. It was the import of cheap consumer goods from China! Will wages have to go up and profits down now? Shouldn't the US specialise in high tech industries and services and pay better?
April 13, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Maybe it's time to understand why, from the 1980s, US productivity went to profits and not to wages. It was the import of cheap consumer goods from China! Will wages have to go up and profits down now? Shouldn't the US specialise in high tech industries and services and pay better?
Congratulations to Armstrong World Industries for making Industry Week's U.S. 50 Best Manufacturing List. It's an impressive achievement - from a growth perspective and to debut in the #2 spot.
I'm thrilled to learn that CEO Vic Grizzle has found my research helpful in growing the company.
I'm thrilled to learn that CEO Vic Grizzle has found my research helpful in growing the company.
Armstrong World Industries Targets Stability, Achieves Growth
The Pennsylvania-based maker of ceiling tiles and engineering architectural installations for buildings took a multi-year approach to targeting stability and adaptability, making...
www.industryweek.com
July 2, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Congratulations to Armstrong World Industries for making Industry Week's U.S. 50 Best Manufacturing List. It's an impressive achievement - from a growth perspective and to debut in the #2 spot.
I'm thrilled to learn that CEO Vic Grizzle has found my research helpful in growing the company.
I'm thrilled to learn that CEO Vic Grizzle has found my research helpful in growing the company.
Today's episode of the Thought Sparks Podcast features Karla Trotman, CEO of ElectroSoft, Inc, the largest Black- and woman-owned electronics contract manufacturer in the United States and author of "Dark, Dirty, Dangerous: Building the Vibrant Future of Manufacturing". 💡
youtu.be/zG6j7AjpLjU?...
youtu.be/zG6j7AjpLjU?...
The Future of Manufacturing with Rita McGrath and Karla Trotman
YouTube video by Rita McGrath
youtu.be
July 1, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Today's episode of the Thought Sparks Podcast features Karla Trotman, CEO of ElectroSoft, Inc, the largest Black- and woman-owned electronics contract manufacturer in the United States and author of "Dark, Dirty, Dangerous: Building the Vibrant Future of Manufacturing". 💡
youtu.be/zG6j7AjpLjU?...
youtu.be/zG6j7AjpLjU?...
My guest on the Thought Sparks Podcast next week is Karla Trotman, CEO of ElectroSoft, Inc, the largest Black- and woman-owned electronics contract manufacturer in the United States.
Tune in for the episode release at 11 am EST on Tuesday, July 1:
linktr.ee/ritamcgrath
#ThoughtSparksPodcast
Tune in for the episode release at 11 am EST on Tuesday, July 1:
linktr.ee/ritamcgrath
#ThoughtSparksPodcast
Rita McGrath | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree
Professor at Columbia Business School. Author, speaker, and strategic advisor.
linktr.ee
June 26, 2025 at 5:05 PM
My guest on the Thought Sparks Podcast next week is Karla Trotman, CEO of ElectroSoft, Inc, the largest Black- and woman-owned electronics contract manufacturer in the United States.
Tune in for the episode release at 11 am EST on Tuesday, July 1:
linktr.ee/ritamcgrath
#ThoughtSparksPodcast
Tune in for the episode release at 11 am EST on Tuesday, July 1:
linktr.ee/ritamcgrath
#ThoughtSparksPodcast
Thanks to @yetvart.bsky.social for this glowing review of Thought Sparks! Published biweekly on Tuesdays, Thought Sparks tie in new and enduring ideas around innovation and strategy with today’s business trends.
Find Thought Sparks on Substack: thoughtsparks.substack.com
Find Thought Sparks on Substack: thoughtsparks.substack.com
June 24, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Thanks to @yetvart.bsky.social for this glowing review of Thought Sparks! Published biweekly on Tuesdays, Thought Sparks tie in new and enduring ideas around innovation and strategy with today’s business trends.
Find Thought Sparks on Substack: thoughtsparks.substack.com
Find Thought Sparks on Substack: thoughtsparks.substack.com
Live from New York...it's a special edition of the Thought Sparks Podcast featuring Sharon Price John, Build-A-Bear Workshop CEO!
Tune into "Thought Sparks Live" here: youtu.be/IjygirZBgcs?...
#ThoughtSparks #ThoughtSparksPodcast #leadership #womeninleadership #womeninbusiness #strategy
Tune into "Thought Sparks Live" here: youtu.be/IjygirZBgcs?...
#ThoughtSparks #ThoughtSparksPodcast #leadership #womeninleadership #womeninbusiness #strategy
Unlocking Confidence with Rita McGrath and Sharon Price John
YouTube video by Rita McGrath
youtu.be
June 19, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Live from New York...it's a special edition of the Thought Sparks Podcast featuring Sharon Price John, Build-A-Bear Workshop CEO!
Tune into "Thought Sparks Live" here: youtu.be/IjygirZBgcs?...
#ThoughtSparks #ThoughtSparksPodcast #leadership #womeninleadership #womeninbusiness #strategy
Tune into "Thought Sparks Live" here: youtu.be/IjygirZBgcs?...
#ThoughtSparks #ThoughtSparksPodcast #leadership #womeninleadership #womeninbusiness #strategy
As reciprocal tariffs mount and global trade relationships shift, apparel brands are facing an #inflectionpoint. What exactly does this mean?👇
- Once-reliable assumptions about stable pricing, frictionless trade, and predictable costs no longer hold true.
- Once-reliable assumptions about stable pricing, frictionless trade, and predictable costs no longer hold true.
June 13, 2025 at 3:24 PM
As reciprocal tariffs mount and global trade relationships shift, apparel brands are facing an #inflectionpoint. What exactly does this mean?👇
- Once-reliable assumptions about stable pricing, frictionless trade, and predictable costs no longer hold true.
- Once-reliable assumptions about stable pricing, frictionless trade, and predictable costs no longer hold true.
Mergers and acquisitions are an attractive strategy for companies looking to consolidate abnd recalibrate. I spoke with Jessica Binns at Vogue Business about fashion M&A and the uncertainty around US tariffs and supply chain issues.
➡️Read more here: www.voguebusiness.com/story/compan...
➡️Read more here: www.voguebusiness.com/story/compan...
The state of fashion M&A in 2025
Deal-making appears to be heating up again as strong players chase growth and scale — while distressed brands become targets in a volatile, high-interest-rate market.
www.voguebusiness.com
June 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Mergers and acquisitions are an attractive strategy for companies looking to consolidate abnd recalibrate. I spoke with Jessica Binns at Vogue Business about fashion M&A and the uncertainty around US tariffs and supply chain issues.
➡️Read more here: www.voguebusiness.com/story/compan...
➡️Read more here: www.voguebusiness.com/story/compan...
Reposted by Rita McGrath
The Merger Mirage: The Triumph of Hope over Experience, by Rita McGrath @rgmcgrath.bsky.social / Thought Sparks - Substack thoughtsparks.substack.com/p/the-merger...
The Merger Mirage: The Triumph of Hope over Experience
Synergy. Market expansion. Gaining share. Cost savings. Diversification. Talent acquisition. Owning a unique asset. Moving into a high-growth sector. These and many more reasons have often propelled c...
thoughtsparks.substack.com
June 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The Merger Mirage: The Triumph of Hope over Experience, by Rita McGrath @rgmcgrath.bsky.social / Thought Sparks - Substack thoughtsparks.substack.com/p/the-merger...
Outside of political junkies in places like Washington, ordinary people are busy getting on with their lives. They aren't glued to the latest in 50+ announcements over tariffs, industrial policy or (yawn) bilateral trade agreements.
I joined WHEC to break it down: www.whec.com/top-news/con...
I joined WHEC to break it down: www.whec.com/top-news/con...
Consumer Alert: Steel and aluminum tariff hike could raise prices on cars, appliances, and more
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The tariff on steel and aluminum increased from 25% to 50% early Wednesday morning, raising concerns about its impact on consumers. President Donald Trump says he hopes the move redu...
www.whec.com
June 9, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Outside of political junkies in places like Washington, ordinary people are busy getting on with their lives. They aren't glued to the latest in 50+ announcements over tariffs, industrial policy or (yawn) bilateral trade agreements.
I joined WHEC to break it down: www.whec.com/top-news/con...
I joined WHEC to break it down: www.whec.com/top-news/con...
How can leaders make decisions under conditions of exponential change?
My latest for Dialogue Review lays out methods for leaders to spot exponential change and make effective decisions.
My latest for Dialogue Review lays out methods for leaders to spot exponential change and make effective decisions.
Masters of velocity - Dialogue Review
In a world defined by ... Read more
dialoguereview.com
June 5, 2025 at 3:10 PM
How can leaders make decisions under conditions of exponential change?
My latest for Dialogue Review lays out methods for leaders to spot exponential change and make effective decisions.
My latest for Dialogue Review lays out methods for leaders to spot exponential change and make effective decisions.
Reposted by Rita McGrath
Many thanks to @rgmcgrath.bsky.social for featuring me on her Thought Sparks Podcast where we discussed how we can reclaim capitalism in service of a society that benefits us all.
💡 Find the episode on your favorite podcast platform: linktr.ee/RitaMcGrath
#ThoughtSparks #RitaMcGrathMedia
💡 Find the episode on your favorite podcast platform: linktr.ee/RitaMcGrath
#ThoughtSparks #RitaMcGrathMedia
June 4, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Many thanks to @rgmcgrath.bsky.social for featuring me on her Thought Sparks Podcast where we discussed how we can reclaim capitalism in service of a society that benefits us all.
💡 Find the episode on your favorite podcast platform: linktr.ee/RitaMcGrath
#ThoughtSparks #RitaMcGrathMedia
💡 Find the episode on your favorite podcast platform: linktr.ee/RitaMcGrath
#ThoughtSparks #RitaMcGrathMedia
Amy Edmondson and myself in Basel last year for the Novartis Culture Lab, yukking it up with a (kid-you-not) dinosaur fossil. 🦖 We're convening in Boston today for this year's C-LAB, so stay tuned for updates over the next few days!
@amycedmondson.bsky.social
#NovartisCLAB #LifeAtNovartis
@amycedmondson.bsky.social
#NovartisCLAB #LifeAtNovartis
June 4, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Amy Edmondson and myself in Basel last year for the Novartis Culture Lab, yukking it up with a (kid-you-not) dinosaur fossil. 🦖 We're convening in Boston today for this year's C-LAB, so stay tuned for updates over the next few days!
@amycedmondson.bsky.social
#NovartisCLAB #LifeAtNovartis
@amycedmondson.bsky.social
#NovartisCLAB #LifeAtNovartis
What does optimistic leadership look like? 💡
My guest on the Thought Sparks Podcast next week is Peter Georgescu, chairman emeritus of Young & Rubicam.
Tune in for the episode release at 11 am EST on Tuesday, June 3, wherever you get your podcasts:
linktr.ee/ritamcgrath
#ThoughtSparksPodcast
My guest on the Thought Sparks Podcast next week is Peter Georgescu, chairman emeritus of Young & Rubicam.
Tune in for the episode release at 11 am EST on Tuesday, June 3, wherever you get your podcasts:
linktr.ee/ritamcgrath
#ThoughtSparksPodcast
Rita McGrath | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree
Professor at Columbia Business School. Author, speaker, and strategic advisor.
linktr.ee
May 30, 2025 at 4:04 PM
What does optimistic leadership look like? 💡
My guest on the Thought Sparks Podcast next week is Peter Georgescu, chairman emeritus of Young & Rubicam.
Tune in for the episode release at 11 am EST on Tuesday, June 3, wherever you get your podcasts:
linktr.ee/ritamcgrath
#ThoughtSparksPodcast
My guest on the Thought Sparks Podcast next week is Peter Georgescu, chairman emeritus of Young & Rubicam.
Tune in for the episode release at 11 am EST on Tuesday, June 3, wherever you get your podcasts:
linktr.ee/ritamcgrath
#ThoughtSparksPodcast