Social Impact

If your goal is to get 500,000 people to turn up on the Mall in Washington, D.C., Twitter is great at that. But if your goal is to make lasting change, you have to work within the system. —Sarah A. Soule, professor of organizational behavior
It Takes More Than Mass Protests to Drive Change
Audio
Speech That Empowers: How to Encourage Growth and Resilience in a Younger Audience
In this podcast episode, we discuss best practices when inspiring young people to seize responsibility.
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Explore the Podcast Series
A megaphone pointed at a brick wall. Credit: Alvaro Dominguez
The Activist’s Dilemma
Extreme actions draw attention to a cause but erode public support — and many protestors fail to see the link.

Executive Education

Leverage Diversity and Inclusion for Organizational Excellence
Leading in Turbulent Times: Managing Reputation and Political Risk
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Alumni Consulting Team for Nonprofits
Center for Social Innovation
See Also Nonprofit
Insights and ideas on the management and leadership of nonprofit organizations.

Latest Stories on Social Impact

July 22, 2021
Audio
Priscilla Chan — How We Can Do Better By Having Hope
The cofounder and co-CEO of the Chan Zuckerberg Institute discusses her pursuit of systemic change in this View From The Top episode.
Career & Success
June 28, 2021
Written
Making Supply Chains Deliver More Than Just Faster, Cheaper Products
Hau Lee envisions a system that benefits buyers, consumers, workers, and the environment.
Supply Chain
June 16, 2021
Audio
DoorDash CEO Tony Xu on Why Obsession With Detail Matters
In this View From The Top podcast episode, Tony Xu talks about adaptability and solving problems by going deep.
Career & Success
June 10, 2021
Audio
Former TaskRabbit CEO Stacy Brown-Philpot on Trusting Your Gut
In this View From The Top podcast episode, Stacy Brown-Philpot discusses diversity, the gig economy, and leading with integrity.
Career & Success
March 19, 2021
Written
The Trickle-Down Tragedy of Corporate Fraud
When companies shut down because of executive malfeasance, bottom-tier workers suffer most — especially when it comes to future earnings.
Accounting
February 19, 2021
Written
The Activist’s Dilemma
Extreme actions draw attention to a cause but erode public support — and many protestors fail to see the link.
Political Economy
February 19, 2021
Written
What’s Behind the Pay Gap in STEM Jobs?
Women are paid less than men for entry-level positions — and it has nothing to do with their skill sets.
Organizational Behavior
February 02, 2021
Written
The Self-Destructive Downside to Corporate Political Spending
There are risks to the bottom line when a firm’s shadowy political donations run counter to its image of social responsibility.
Government
January 07, 2021
Audio
“Never Mistake Presence for Power”
In this podcast episode, a racial equity movement leader discusses the art and science of building Black power.
Leadership
October 29, 2020
Audio
“The State of the Nation Is Dependent on Getting Equity Right”
In this podcast episode, an expert in racial and economic equity explains why ending discrimination is a democratic, economic, and national imperative.
Leadership
October 15, 2020
Audio
“We Need to Stop Tiptoeing Around Race”
In this podcast episode, corporate diversity experts discuss the challenge of creating paths for inclusion.
Leadership
October 15, 2020
Audio
Leadership for Society: The Podcast
Join Professor Brian Lowery as he sits down with prominent leaders for a series of conversations on the most pressing issues of today.
Leadership
August 06, 2020
Written
How Segregated Are We?
Using GPS data to analyze people’s movements, Stanford researchers found that in most U.S. metropolitan areas, people’s day-to-day experiences are less segregated than traditional measures suggest.
Economics
August 03, 2020
Written
Maker: AIDS Memorial Quilt — Sewing as a Catalyst for Change
“My greater hope,” Mike Smith says, “is that people will see what we’re doing and realize that they, too, can do something worthwhile — that it’s easy to be helpful if you want to be.”
Social Impact
July 29, 2020
Written
When the Best AI Isn’t Necessarily the Best AI
Why organizations might want to design and train less-than-perfect AI.
Big Data
July 21, 2020
Written
Using Algorithms to Track Down Rapists
A Stanford scholar has developed a more efficient way to test DNA samples in the hunt for sex offenders.
Operations, Information & Technology
June 10, 2020
Written
The Rise of the ‘Liberaltarian’
Tech industry millionaires are moving the Democratic Party to the left on almost every issue except government regulation. Unions beware.
Political Economy
May 14, 2020
Written
The High Value of Virtual College Advising for Lower-Income Students
New research shows online advising improves college outcomes for underserved high schoolers.
Education
March 26, 2020
Written
Economists to Congress: Don’t Bail out Big Business
An open letter drafted by Stanford professors says the coronavirus stimulus package should benefit workers — not corporations and their wealthy shareholders.
Government
March 18, 2020
Written
Rethinking Workplace Education
Guild offers a data-driven approach to education benefits that has attracted the Fortune 500.
Entrepreneurship