Conversation with Jared Cohen — The Macroeconomic Environment + Life After Power

Leadership Lessons

Jared Cohen examines the careers of past U.S. presidents to uncover valuable leadership lessons. He highlights how figures like William Howard Taft deferred personal dreams for public service, ultimately achieving his goal of becoming Chief Justice of the Supreme Court later in life. This illustrates the powerful lesson that "a dream deferred does not necessarily need to be a dream denied" 1. Cohen also discusses the post-presidency legacies of George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, noting their contrasting approaches to legacy building. Bush's hands-off approach and Carter's active involvement both led to increased popularity, demonstrating diverse paths to legacy enhancement 2.

   

Modern Dynamics

Modern leadership is increasingly shaped by social media, altering the attributes required for effective leadership. Cohen notes that today's leaders often emerge as social media celebrities before honing their leadership skills, a reversal from past practices 3. This shift demands a new skill set focused on creating viral, relatable moments. In his role at Goldman Sachs, Cohen navigates the intersection of technology and geopolitics, emphasizing the importance of adapting to rapid changes in these areas. He explains that success involves leveraging these changes to create new business opportunities 4.