When professor emeritus of management Michael Useem was told to build a leadership course from the ground up at Wharton, he had to become an expert on the subject first. Through decades of in-depth research and developing innovative learning opportunities, Useem has done just that. Today, he is an award-winning teacher, a consultant for companies across the globe on leadership development and governance, and is the author of multiple books, including The Leader’s Checklist. In this insightful conversation with Wharton Dean Erika James, Useem discusses his unique journey through academia and why leadership skills are critical for all ages.

The talk is part of the series “What I’ve Learned,” which puts the spotlight on Wharton faculty who have made a lasting impact on their fields. Watch the video for the full conversation.

Comments

New This Week

NVIDIA’s Leadership Crisis Reveals a Bigger Problem
Podcast

NVIDIA’s Leadership Crisis Reveals a Bigger Problem

November 13, 2026 • 12 min listen

Henning Piezunka, Wharton associate professor of management, discusses the challenges of replacing influential founders, preparing future CEOs, and building organizations that can thrive beyond their most powerful leaders.

Why Employees Choose Purpose Over Pay
Podcast

Why Employees Choose Purpose Over Pay

November 11, 2026 • 11 min listen

J. Daniel Kim, Wharton assistant professor of management, discusses new research showing how a strong social mission can help startups recruit talented employees while reducing labor costs.

Why Baseball’s Best Decisions Go Beyond Data
Podcast

Why Baseball’s Best Decisions Go Beyond Data

November 11, 2026 • 58 min listen

Dan Szymborski, senior writer at FanGraphs, and Eric Babitz, director of player acquisition for the Milwaukee Brewers, explore Hall of Fame standards, projections, and building winning rosters.