Summary
Marketers are increasingly concerned about the effectiveness of their ad campaigns, particularly when high dashboard metrics do not translate into actual revenue. This phenomenon, referred to as "bullspend," highlights the need for a shift in focus from mere impressions to tangible results. The discussion emphasizes that platforms like LinkedIn offer the highest return on ad spend among major networks, urging marketers to prioritize revenue generation over superficial metrics.
The conversation also critiques traditional organizational structures that hinder innovation and adaptability. Many companies operate with outdated, rigid processes reminiscent of 20th-century manufacturing, which stifles creativity and responsiveness. In contrast, the octopus serves as a metaphor for a more effective organizational model—one that is fluid, curious, and capable of learning and adapting to complex environments. This "octopus organization" fosters open communication, encourages the sharing of ideas, and prioritizes discovery over presentation in meetings.
Show Notes
From Rigid to Resilient: Why You Need to Lead Like an Octopus
27 Jan 2026
---
Stuck in endless meetings, stale ideas, and rigid org charts? You might be running a Tin Man organization—engineered for efficiency, not adaptability. Today’s leaders need something smarter. Enter the octopus: more flexible, curious, and built to thrive in complexity. Learn how your company can evolve from rigid to resilient—by thinking like an octopus.
Read more in "The Octopus Organization: A Guide to Thriving in a World of Continuous Transformation": https://www.amazon.com/Octopus-Organization-Thriving-Continuous-Transformation/dp/B0DRZGTH31
Books, tools, and more: store.hbr.org
Follow us: https://hbr.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvard-business-review/ https://www.facebook.com/HBR/ https://twitter.com/HarvardBiz https://www.instagram.com/harvard_business_review
Sign up for Newsletters: https://hbr.org/email-newsletters
#HarvardBusinessReview #YourCareer #Career #Job #Work #Business #Harvard #HarvardBusinessSchool
Copyright © 2025 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from Harvard Business Review
Are Your Beliefs Holding You Back as a Leader?
Check out our September-October 2019 issue: Don’t let metrics undermine your business, how dual-career couples make it work, and putting purpose at the core of your strategy. Subscribe today at https://trib.al/PxEVr8oUploaded 21-08-19Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Quit Your Job with No Regrets | Christine vs. WorkUploaded 13-09-2114 Sep 2021---𝙎𝙪𝙗𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝘼𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮! ✨ https://www.youtube.com/c/HBRAscend ✨Is there a right way—and a wrong way—to quit your job? Here’s what to do and say in the moment.Subscribe to the Ascend newsletter: https://hbr.org/email-newsletters?movetile_hbpascendnl&hideIntromercial=true Learn more about our sponsor, Confluence, at https://www.atlassian.com/software/confluence/meet-less and https://www.atlassian.com/software/confluence and If you’re thinking about quitting your job, you’re not alone. Right now, studies are showing a record number of workers are thinking about quitting. What should you consider before you decide to quit? What are the actual words you should use when quitting your job? 0:00 Do you really know how to quit your job?01:49 How do you know when to quit?03:31 Tell your boss first04:21 Get to the point!04:56 The formula06:06 Ok, let's practice07:48 Let's try this for (almost) realIn this episode, Innovation Editor Christine Liu turns to Dorie Clark, author of “The Long Game”, for answers. If quitting looks like the best decision for you, here’s how to break the news to your boss, what to say in the meeting, and how to think about your last days on the job.Learn more about Dorie Clark: https://dorieclark.com/Watch more about Confluence on their YouTube Channel: About: https://youtube.com/watch?v=jqg8o-ataIQ&ab_channel=AtlassianProduced by Andy Robinson, Christine Liu, and Kelsey AlpaioVideo by Andy Robinson and Christine LiuEditing by Andy RobinsonAnimation and Design by Riko Cribbs and Karen PlayerFollow us:https://hbr.org/ascendhttps://www.facebook.com/hbrascend/https://twitter.com/HBRAscendhttps://www.instagram.com/hbrascend/#GreatResignation #CareerMove #IQuit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stand Out in a Job Interview | The Harvard Business Review Guide