Jeffrey Pfeffer

The Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior
Academic Area:
Jeffrey Pfeffer

Bio

Jeffrey Pfeffer is The Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University where he has taught since 1979. He is the author or co-author of 16 books including:

• Leadership B.S.: Fixing Workplaces and Careers One Truth at a Time
• The Human Equation: Building Profits by Putting People First
• Power: Why Some People Have It — and Others Don’t
• The Knowing-Doing Gap: How Smart Companies Turn Knowledge Into Action
• Hard Facts, Dangerous Half-Truths, and Total Nonsense: Profiting from Evidence-Based Management
• Dying for a Paycheck: How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance — and What We Can Do About It
• 7 Rules of Power: Surprising — But True — Advice on How to Get Things Done and Advance Your Career
• And more than 160 articles and book chapters.

Dr. Pfeffer received his BS and MS degrees from Carnegie-Mellon University and his PhD from Stanford. He began his career at the business school at the University of Illinois and then taught for six years at the University of California, Berkeley. Pfeffer has been a visiting professor at the Harvard Business School, Singapore Management University, London Business School, Copenhagen Business School, and for 14 years, a visitor at IESE in Barcelona.

Pfeffer currently hosts the Pfeffer on Power podcast, available on all podcast platforms and YouTube. From 2003–2007, Pfeffer wrote a monthly column, “The Human Factor,” for the 650,000-person circulation business magazine, Business 2.0 and from 2007–2010, he wrote a monthly column providing career advice for Capital, a leading business and economics magazine in Turkey. Pfeffer has also written for Fortune.com, BNET, the Washington Post, BloombergBusinessWeek.com, BBC’s Capital, Learning Corner for CornerstoneOnDemand, and is an Influencer on LinkedIn.

Pfeffer currently serves on the advisory boards for Collective Health, Medeloop, Quorso, and Veridian, and on the boards of the nonprofits Quantum Leap Healthcare and the San Francisco Playhouse. In the past he has served on the boards of Resumix, Unicru, and Workstream (WSTM), all human capital software companies, Audible Magic, an internet company, SonoSite (SONO), a NASDAQ company designing and manufacturing portable ultrasound machines, Longeveron (LGVN), a biotech company, and Berlin Packaging, a Chicago-based supplier of packaging services.

Pfeffer has presented seminars in 40 countries throughout the world as well as doing consulting and providing executive education for numerous companies, associations, and universities in the United States.

Jeffrey Pfeffer has won the Richard D. Irwin Award presented by the Academy of Management for scholarly contributions to management and numerous awards for his articles and books. He is in the Thinkers 50 Hall of Fame and has been listed as one of the Most Influential HR International Thinkers by HR Magazine. In November 2011, he was presented with an honorary doctorate degree from Tilburg University in The Netherlands.

Stanford University Affiliations

  • Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences 1998–1999

Academic Degrees

  • PhD in Business Administration, Organizational Behavior, Stanford University, 1972
  • MS in Industrial Administration, Carnegie Mellon University, 1968
  • BS in Administration and Management Science, Carnegie Mellon University, 1968

Academic Appointments

  • At Stanford University since 1979
  • Tommie Goh Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship, Singapore Management University, Winter 2006
  • Visiting Professor, IESE Business School, Spring 2006
  • Advanced Institute of Management Visiting Professor, London Business School, Fall 2005
  • Thomas Henry Carroll-Ford Foundation Visiting Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School, 1981–1982
  • Assistant-Associate Professor, University of California, Berkeley, 1973–1979
  • Assistant Professor, University of Illinois, 1971–1973

Awards and Honors

  • BP Faculty Fellow in Global Management for 2021–2022
  • Hank McKinnell-Pfizer Inc. Faculty Fellow for 2015–2016
  • Honorary Doctorate, Tilburg University, The Netherlands, 2011
  • Richard D. Irwin Scholarly Contributions to Management Award, Academy of Management, 1989
  • Terry Book Award, Academy of Management, 1984

Service to the Profession

    • Fellow, Academy of Management
    • Member, Industrial Relations Research Association

    Editorial Board

      • Administrative Science Quarterly

      Research Statement

      Jeffrey Pfeffer has published extensively in the fields of organization theory and human resource management. His current research focuses on the effects of work environments on human health and well-being, power and leadership in organizations, evidence-based management, the knowing-doing gap, and how thinking of time like money affects people’s choices about spending time in ways that promote unhappiness.

      Journal Articles

      Charles A. O’Reilly, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Personality and Individual Differences
      February 2025 Vol. 233
      Lambert Zixin Li, Peilin Yang, Sara Singer, Jeffrey Pfeffer, Maya B. Mathur, Tait Shanafelt
      JAMA Network Open
      2024 Vol. 7 Issue 11
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Academy of Management Perspectives
      November 2023 Vol. 37 Issue 4
      Erin Frey, Gabrielle S. Adams, Jeffrey Pfeffer, Peter Ronald Belmi
      Journal of Management
      January 2023 Vol. 49 Issue 1 Pages 196–236
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Sara Singer, Martin Stepanek
      Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
      May 2022 Vol. 64 Issue 5 Pages 370–376
      Arthur S. Jago, Nathanael Fast, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Journal of Business Ethics
      January 2022 Vol. 175 Issue 2 Pages 413–425
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Organizational Dynamics
      January 2022 Vol. 51 Issue 1 Pages 1–10
      Charles A. O’Reilly, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Personality and Individual Differences
      November 2021 Vol. 182
      Charles A. O’Reilly, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Personality and Individual Differences
      April 2021 Vol. 172
      John R. Adler, Jr., Hong Do, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Cureus
      February 2021 Vol. 13 Issue 2
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Stacie Vilendrer, Grace Joseph, Jason Kim, Sara Singer
      Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
      November 2020 Vol. 62 Issue 11 Pages E601–E610
      Jieun Pai, Sanford E. DeVoe, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes
      November 2020 Vol. 161 Pages 158–175
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Dan Witters, Sangeeta Agrawal , James K. Harter
      Academy of Management Discoveries
      October 2020 Vol. 6 Issue 3 Pages 325–340
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Academy of Management Discoveries
      April 2020 Vol. 6 Issue 1
      Arthur S. Jago, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Journal of Business Ethics
      November 2019 Vol. 160 Issue 1 Pages 71-87
      Peter Belmi, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Journal of Organizational Behavior
      October 2018 Vol. 39 Issue 8 Pages 990-1007
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Academy of Management Discoveries
      2018 Vol. 4 Issue 1 Pages 94-96
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      People & Strategy
      October 2016 Vol. 39 Issue 4 Pages 32-35
      Peter Belmi, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Journal of Applied Psychology
      May 2016 Vol. 101 Issue 5 Pages 702-720
      Joel Goh, Jeffrey Pfeffer, Stefanos Zenios
      Management Science
      March 13, 2016 Vol. 62 Issue 2 Pages 608-628
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Journal of Management Studies
      January 25, 2016 Vol. 53 Issue 4 Pages 663-669
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      The Academy of Management Perspectives
      November 1, 2013
      Sanford E. DeVoe, Jeffrey Pfeffer, Byron Y. Lee
      ILRREVIEW
      2013 Vol. 66 Issue 5
      Sanford E. DeVoe, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
      April 2010 Vol. 36 Issue 4 Pages 470–483
      Sanford E. DeVoe, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes
      September 2007 Vol. 104 Issue 1 Pages 1–13
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Christina T. Fong, Robert B Cialdini
      Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
      November 2006 Vol. 32 Issue 10 Pages 362-74
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Robert I. Sutton
      Harvard Business Review
      January 2006
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Human Resource Management
      May 20, 2005 Vol. 44 Issue 2 Pages 123–128
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Robert I. Sutton
      Harvard Business Review
      May 1999 Pages 135-142

      Working Papers

      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Sally Blount, Gyorgy Hunyady, John Jost 2003

      Other Publications

      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Leanne Williams
      McKinsey Quarterly
      December 8, 2020

      Books

      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Harper Business
      March 20, 2018
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Harper Business
      New York
      2010
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Harvard Business School Press
      2007
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Robert I. Sutton
      Harvard Business School Press
      Cambridge
      2006
      Charles A. O’Reilly, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Harvard Business School Press
      Boston
      August 1, 2000
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Robert I. Sutton
      Harvard Business School Press
      Boston
      December 3, 1999
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Harvard Business Review Press
      1998
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Oxford University Press
      New York
      June 5, 1997
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Harvard Business School Press
      Boston
      March 1996
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Harvard Business Review Press
      1993
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Pitman
      Marshfield, MA
      1991
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Gerald Salancik
      Harper & Row
      1978

      Executive Education & Other Non-Degree Programs

      Advance your skills, career, and network with the Asian Leadership Program, the first program of its kind from a leading business school.
      Transform your leadership, build community, and explore the complexities of showing up authentically in the Black Leaders Program.
      Learn about cutting-edge social science frameworks and design thinking techniques in a unique partnership between Stanford GSB and d.school.
      Learn how to diagnose and react to organizational dynamics, build power, and increase your influence to amplify your impact.
      Gain general management training — combining conceptual knowledge with individual experiences — and increase your impact in the nonprofit sector.
      Develop your leadership style, create an action plan and inspire innovation in your team, your company, and the world.
      Leverage diverse research, proven methodologies, and design thinking for change management in this collaboration between Stanford and Harvard.
      Gain a competitive advantage using Silicon Valley models and mindsets to recruit, retain, and inspire people for performance and growth.
      Transform knowledge into impact and drive innovation and change in your organization with Stanford LEAD, our flagship online business program.

      Cases

      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      2016
      Charles O'Reilly, Jeffrey Pfeffer, David Hoyt, Davina Drabkin
      2014
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      2013
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      2012
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      2011
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      2010
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      2009
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Megan Anderson
      2009
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      2009
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      2009
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      2008
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Megan Anderson
      2008
      Harold Grousbeck, Joel Peterson, Jeffrey Pfeffer, Alex Tauber
      2006
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      2004
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Thomas D. Dee, II
      2004
      Victoria Chang, Charles O'Reilly III, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      2004
      Victoria Chang, Charles O'Reilly III, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      2004
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Victoria Chang
      2003
      Victoria Chang, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      2003
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Victoria Chang
      2003
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Victoria Chang
      2003
      Jeffrey Pfeffer, Victoria Chang
      2001
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      2000
      Charles O'Reilly III, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      1999
      Charles O'Reilly III, Jeffrey Pfeffer
      1995
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Jeffrey Pfeffer
      Jeffrey Pfeffer

      In the Media

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      November 04, 2022
      Author David Gelles says former GE CEO Jack Welch spurred era of “profits over people.”
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      June 06, 2022
      Jeffrey Pfeffer says that rising to the top requires a willingness to break rules — and competence is often overrated.
      June 03, 2021
      In this podcast episode, we discuss the body language and word choices that can help you “power up” or “power down” your communication.
      October 14, 2020
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      September 03, 2020
      A new study shows that workers’ pay structure — hourly vs. salaried — affects how they perceive and spend their downtime.
      April 30, 2020
      For employers, best practices during a pandemic are no different than before: take care of your people.
      April 17, 2020
      Here’s a curated collection from the archives that offer self-care wisdom and helpful life lessons during a period of worldwide stress.
      February 03, 2020
      People believe corporations are less ethical than people, even when the crimes are the same.
      December 03, 2018
      From tips for career satisfaction to an economist’s stint as an Uber driver, here are the stories that caught our readers’ attention.
      November 07, 2018
      When money is on the line, a new study finds, people give less weight to social warmth.
      April 19, 2018
      Stanford GSB professors recommend their favorite books and articles related to the concept.
      March 15, 2018
      A new book examines the massive health care toll today’s work culture exacts on employees.
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      Why a Stanford-trained entrepreneur sees gold in all that red tape.
      December 05, 2017
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      August 21, 2017
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      June 01, 2017
      Whether it’s now or later, people opt for guaranteed gains or losses when ambiguity reigns.
      April 18, 2017
      A new study reveals spikes in stress when employees are told to think of time as money.
      December 12, 2016
      Long commute? Spend the time listening to these 10 Stanford Business stories.
      August 30, 2016
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      July 11, 2016
      Confronted by their mortality, men, more than women, seek power to ease their anxiety.
      June 06, 2016
      Our inclination to rationalize low acts by high-status people has deep psychological roots.
      February 25, 2016
      Researchers analyze workplace health to find inequalities.
      December 19, 2015
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      September 29, 2015
      Power skills and behaviors matter for career success.
      September 09, 2015
      Advice given to leaders is too often based on the ideal world, not reality.
      April 30, 2015
      Those in the know share where to go to learn more about reward and related topics.
      March 19, 2015
      A professor of organizational behavior describes how you can increase your influence at work.
      February 23, 2015
      Stanford scholars identify 10 work stressors that are destroying your health.
      February 20, 2015
      Repaying favors is the norm in our personal lives, but not in the workplace.
      December 11, 2014
      Explore 10 Stanford Business stories from 2014, including pieces on happiness and networking.
      May 21, 2014
      How to connect to the people who matter.
      March 24, 2014
      A professor of organizational behavior says office power dynamics are part of our DNA.
      January 06, 2014
      New research by Stanford GSB Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer shows that the more money we earn, the more money we want.
      June 07, 2013
      A professor of organizational behavior argues that “human sustainability” may pay off too.
      April 01, 2009
      A professor of organizational behavior says companies spend too much time on polar bears and not enough on people.
      September 01, 2007
      Research shows bonuses and incentives are nice gestures of recognition, but aren't effective to drive behavior.
      August 01, 2006
      Studies show that those who are paid hourly think of time as a commodity.
      August 01, 2006
      Recent research shows having an agent or recruiter negotiate a deal for you makes you seem more likeable — and can get you a better deal.
      April 01, 2006
      The Southwest Airlines chairman and former CEO explains the business philosophy that has his company thriving in the brutal airline industry.
      June 01, 2005
      A professor of organizational behavior says senior leaders need to understand how their mental models of business affect organizational performance.
      September 15, 2003
      Even some well-established practices may be counterproductive
      November 01, 1999
      Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert Sutton explore how companies can turn talk into action, and why promoting internal competition may not help.
      September 01, 1997
      A study reveals the tendency of leaders to inflate the worth of work produced with their direct oversight.

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