“CEOs matter not because they control everything, but because they shape everything that matters.”
NITIN NOHRIA
George F. Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration and
University Distinguished Service Professor at Harvard Business School
The CEO
By studying hundreds of CEOs who have attended the New CEO Workshops at Harvard Business School, Nohria distills what the world's most effective executives actually do — how they set an agenda, allocate time, communicate priorities, drive change, and carry the full weight of the role.
An essential guide for anyone who leads, aspires to lead, or seeks to understand what leadership at the highest level truly demands.
Get your copy today:
Full of practical advice and real stories from CEOs who’ve been through it all, The CEO has everything you need if you want to lead, improve, and keep your company moving forward. Leadership is about learning, questioning, and never getting complacent; this book delivers on all three.”
Jamie Dimon
CEO, JPMorgan Chase
Every organization needs a clear sense of purpose and why it exists — the CEO’s job is to build the culture that turns that mission into reality. Nitin Nohria takes us on that journey, and along the way shares how to keep innovating, adapting, and leading with clarity and conviction.”
Satya Nadella
CEO, Microsoft
Over his long tenure at Harvard Business School, Nitin Nohria has helped shape a generation of business leaders with insight, clarity, and humanity. The CEO brings his lessons and spirit to a wider audience, through a rigorous, curious, and relatable account of the realities of being CEO.”
Michelle Gass
CEO, Levi Strauss & Co.
This book gets to the heart of what CEO jobs really demand: the judgment to know when to exert control, and the discipline to create the conditions for others to succeed. Nitin Nohria explains how legitimacy, not power, defines effective leadership at the top.”
Bob Iger
Former CEO, The Walt Disney Company
In The CEO, Nitin Nohria distills years of observation, experience, and hard-won lessons into a sharp, accessible, and candid perspective on leadership. His insights on judgment, purpose, and restraint land on the page the same way they did in the classroom: brilliantly.”
Reshma Kewalramani
President and CEO, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Nitin Nohria has shaped my approach to leadership for over thirty-five years. In The CEO, he brilliantly captures the essence of the role at each stage of the arc of one’s tenure in the job. Aspiring leaders and long-serving CEOs alike will find lessons they can use throughout this inspiring read.”
Larry Culp
CEO, GE Aerospace
About Nitin
Nitin Nohria studies leadership, institutions, and the responsibilities that come with power. For four decades his research has focused on how leaders make decisions, build organizations, and navigate moments of consequence. He served as the tenth Dean of Harvard Business School from 2010 to 2020 and is the George F. Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration and Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor. He is Executive Chairman of Thrive Capital and serves on the boards of Alsym, Exor N.V., Mass General Brigham, and Rakuten Medical. In 2025, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri, one of its highest civilian awards.
Get Updates From Nitin
Subscribe to Nitin’s Newsletter where he shares updates, articles and much more.
Nitin Nohria served as the tenth dean of Harvard Business School from 2010-2020. He is currently Partner and Executive Chairman at Thrive Capital.
© 2026 Nitin Nohria. All rights reserved.
Where to Buy
“CEOs matter not because they control everything, but because they shape everything that matters.”
NITIN NOHRIA
George F. Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration and
University Distinguished Service Professor at Harvard Business School
The CEO
By studying hundreds of CEOs who have attended the New CEO Workshops at Harvard Business School, Nohria distills what the world's most effective executives actually do — how they set an agenda, allocate time, communicate priorities, drive change, and carry the full weight of the role.
An essential guide for anyone who leads, aspires to lead, or seeks to understand what leadership at the highest level truly demands.
Get your copy today:
Full of practical advice and real stories from CEOs who’ve been through it all, The CEO has everything you need if you want to lead, improve, and keep your company moving forward. Leadership is about learning, questioning, and never getting complacent; this book delivers on all three.”
Jamie Dimon
CEO, JPMorgan Chase
Every organization needs a clear sense of purpose and why it exists — the CEO’s job is to build the culture that turns that mission into reality. Nitin Nohria takes us on that journey, and along the way shares how to keep innovating, adapting, and leading with clarity and conviction.”
Satya Nadella
CEO, Microsoft
Over his long tenure at Harvard Business School, Nitin Nohria has helped shape a generation of business leaders with insight, clarity, and humanity. The CEO brings his lessons and spirit to a wider audience, through a rigorous, curious, and relatable account of the realities of being CEO.”
Michelle Gass
CEO, Levi Strauss & Co.
This book gets to the heart of what CEO jobs really demand: the judgment to know when to exert control, and the discipline to create the conditions for others to succeed. Nitin Nohria explains how legitimacy, not power, defines effective leadership at the top.”
Bob Iger
Former CEO, The Walt Disney Company
In The CEO, Nitin Nohria distills years of observation, experience, and hard-won lessons into a sharp, accessible, and candid perspective on leadership. His insights on judgment, purpose, and restraint land on the page the same way they did in the classroom: brilliantly.”
Reshma Kewalramani
President and CEO, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Nitin Nohria has shaped my approach to leadership for over thirty-five years. In The CEO, he brilliantly captures the essence of the role at each stage of the arc of one’s tenure in the job. Aspiring leaders and long-serving CEOs alike will find lessons they can use throughout this inspiring read.”
Larry Culp
CEO, GE Aerospace
HBR 2024 PRIZE WINNER
Leaders Must React
Winning the HBR Prize for best article of the year
READ HERE
HBR 2024 PRIZE WINNER
Leaders Must React
Winning the HBR Prize for best article of the year
READ HERE
HBR 2024 PRIZE WINNER
Leaders Must React
Winning the HBR Prize for best article of the year
READ HERE
HBR 2024 PRIZE WINNER
Leaders Must React
Winning the HBR Prize for best article of the year
READ HERE
About Nitin
Nitin Nohria studies leadership, institutions, and the responsibilities that come with power. For four decades his research has focused on how leaders make decisions, build organizations, and navigate moments of consequence. He served as the tenth Dean of Harvard Business School from 2010 to 2020 and is the George F. Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration and Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor. He is Executive Chairman of Thrive Capital and serves on the boards of Alsym, Exor N.V., Mass General Brigham, and Rakuten Medical. In 2025, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri, one of its highest civilian awards.
Nitin Nohria served as the tenth dean of Harvard Business School from 2010-2020. He is currently Partner and Executive Chairman at Thrive Capital.
© 2026 Nitin Nohria. All rights reserved.
Where to buy
Get Updates From Nitin
Subscribe to Nitin’s Newsletter where he shares updates, articles and much more.
Get Updates From Nitin
Subscribe to Nitin’s Newsletter where he shares updates, articles and much more.
“CEOs matter not because they control everything, but because they shape everything that matters.”
NITIN NOHRIA
George F. Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration and University Professor at Harvard Business School
The CEO
By studying hundreds of CEOs who have attended the New CEO Workshops at Harvard Business School, Nohria distills what the world's most effective executives actually do — how they set an agenda, allocate time, communicate priorities, drive change, and carry the full weight of the role.
An essential guide for anyone who leads, aspires to lead, or seeks to understand what leadership at the highest level truly demands.
Get your copy today:
Full of practical advice and real stories from CEOs who’ve been through it all, The CEO has everything you need if you want to lead, improve, and keep your company moving forward. Leadership is about learning, questioning, and never getting complacent; this book delivers on all three.”
Jamie Dimon
CEO, JPMorgan Chase
Every organization needs a clear sense of purpose and why it exists — the CEO’s job is to build the culture that turns that mission into reality. Nitin Nohria takes us on that journey, and along the way shares how to keep innovating, adapting, and leading with clarity and conviction.”
Satya Nadella
CEO, Microsoft
Over his long tenure at Harvard Business School, Nitin Nohria has helped shape a generation of business leaders with insight, clarity, and humanity. The CEO brings his lessons and spirit to a wider audience, through a rigorous, curious, and relatable account of the realities of being CEO.”
Michelle Gass
CEO, Levi Strauss & Co.
This book gets to the heart of what CEO jobs really demand: the judgment to know when to exert control, and the discipline to create the conditions for others to succeed. Nitin Nohria explains how legitimacy, not power, defines effective leadership at the top.”
Bob Iger
Former CEO, The Walt Disney Company
In The CEO, Nitin Nohria distills years of observation, experience, and hard-won lessons into a sharp, accessible, and candid perspective on leadership. His insights on judgment, purpose, and restraint land on the page the same way they did in the classroom: brilliantly.”
Reshma Kewalramani
President and CEO, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Nitin Nohria has shaped my approach to leadership for over thirty-five years. In The CEO, he brilliantly captures the essence of the role at each stage of the arc of one’s tenure in the job. Aspiring leaders and long-serving CEOs alike will find lessons they can use throughout this inspiring read.”
Larry Culp
CEO, GE Aerospace
HBR 2024 PRIZE WINNER
Leaders Must React
Winning the HBR Prize for best article of the year
READ HERE
HBR 2024 PRIZE WINNER
Leaders Must React
Winning the HBR Prize for best article of the year
READ HERE
HBR 2024 PRIZE WINNER
Leaders Must React
Winning the HBR Prize for best article of the year
READ HERE
HBR 2024 PRIZE WINNER
Leaders Must React
Winning the HBR Prize for best article of the year
READ HERE
About Nitin
Nitin Nohria studies leadership, institutions, and the responsibilities that come with power. For four decades his research has focused on how leaders make decisions, build organizations, and navigate moments of consequence. He served as the tenth Dean of Harvard Business School from 2010 to 2020 and is the George F. Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration and Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor. He is Executive Chairman of Thrive Capital and serves on the boards of Alsym, Exor N.V., Mass General Brigham, and Rakuten Medical. In 2025, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri, one of its highest civilian awards.
Nitin Nohria served as the tenth dean of Harvard Business School from 2010-2020. He is currently Partner and Executive Chairman at Thrive Capital.
© 2026 Nitin Nohria. All rights reserved.
Where to Buy