If/Then
If/Then
Stanford GSB
How do we lead with purpose, make better decisions, and navigate an uncertain future? On If/Then, Stanford GSB faculty break down cutting-edge research on leadership, strategy, and more, exploring enduring questions and the forces reshaping business and society today, from AI to geopolitics. Hosted by senior editor Kevin Cool.
The Art of Friction
“Great leaders are people who think of themselves as trustees of other people’s time,” says Huggy Rao.
May 20
23 min
Unconventional Wisdom
Seeing the world differently can be costly, but it can also provide a competitive edge.
May 6
26 min
Why Who You Are Affects How You Think
The moment we see someone as an individual rather than a category, we become more likely to find common ground.
Apr 22
24 min
The Paradox of Masculinity
“We spend a lot of time talking about gender inequality through the lens of women’s disadvantage,” she says. “I think that many of the problems that we’re seeing today… are actually bound up in masculinity.”
Apr 8
26 min
What We Actually Learn From Experience
Steven Callander has spent years building a mathematical framework to answer the question of how people learn from experience. “Here in Silicon Valley, the expression that you learn from failure is very widespread and very intuitive. But the question is… what do you learn? How do you optimally learn from that experience?” In this episode, Callander, the Herbert Hoover Professor of Public and Private Management and Professor of Political Economy at Stanford Graduate School of Business, explains the hidden, deceptively simple logic of correlated learning — and it may change how you think about finding the right job, the right market, or the right strategy.  “It fascinates me and I can't stop thinking about it,” he says.   Has theory made an impact on your life? Tell us more at [email protected]. Related Content:Steven Callander faculty profileHow to Turn Old Ideas Into Creative Solutions to Modern ProblemsWhat We’re Still Learning from Silicon Valley’s Bank Collapse Chapters: 00:00 Ann Miura-Ko on learning and the search for patterns in Venture capital 02:51 Introduction 05:23 What is correlated learning? 06:40 Where does this research apply in the real world? 09:28 Brownian Motion 12:45 Steven Callander’s Framework 15:25 Examples of correlated learning when seeking expert advice 20:53 Applying correlated learning 23:57 Why correlated learning research? 24:51 Conclusion If/Then, from Stanford GSB, features conversations with faculty that explore how their research deepens our understanding of business and leadership. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 25
25 min
How Dating and Sports Explain the Job Market
Seemingly unrelated activities — like taking a soccer penalty kick or crafting an online dating profile — involve an embedded economics.
Mar 11
25 min
If/Then Returns: Season Three
If/Then Season 3 is coming next week. GSB faculty explore innovative research that deepens our understanding of business and leadership.
Mar 4
1 min
GSB at 100: "The Moment"
The fourth and final episode of GSB at 100 captures a snapshot of a once-in-a-century milestone.
Dec 22, 2025
28 min
GSB at 100: "The Experience"
From management to modeling, we explore the classroom experience at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Nov 26, 2025
29 min
GSB at 100: "The Spirit"
Meet some of the people whose work powers a school that changes lives, organizations, and the world.
Nov 12, 2025
24 min
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