Boredom, self-doubt, and invisible meetings—this year’s biggest hits helped leaders rethink how they think. If 2025 was a year of recalibration, it makes sense that so many leaders turned to videos about reframing how they operate—mentally, socially, and strategically. Across YouTube, HBR.org, and social platforms, more than 60 million viewers sought insight into topics including why imposter syndrome might be useful, what really drives innovation, and how high performers subtly shape decisions before meetings ever start. Alongside our popular horizontal formats, we launched a growing library of short-form videos, giving authors new tools to personally connect with broader audiences on platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, LinkedIn, and even TikTok. Here’s a look at what resonated most in 2025—and what’s coming next. 1. You Need to Be Bored. Here’s Why. Arthur C. Brooks Our most-watched video of all time (11M+ views on YouTube alone), this short explainer from Harvard professor and HBR author Arthur C. Brooks struck a chord with an enormous audience. The video unpacks the science behind the brain’s “default mode network”—a system that only activates when we’re not actively engaged—and explains why mental rest is essential to creativity, resilience, and even happiness. With more than 700,000 likes and tens of thousands of comments, the video reached well beyond HBR’s typical audience, resonating with viewers worldwide seeking clarity in a year of nonstop stimulation. 2. Lean Into Imposter Syndrome. Don’t Give In to It. Arthur C. Brooks Another standout from Brooks explored the psychology of self-doubt—especially among high achievers. Framed for ambitious “strivers,” this video explains why imposter feelings can be a signal of healthy humility rather than a sign of failure, and how leaders can use that discomfort to target their learning and development. 3. The Real Meeting Happens Before the Meeting Gorick Ng Career adviser Gorick Ng shared a behind-the-scenes view of how decisions really get made. The message: formal meetings are often just the visible tip of the iceberg. The real influence happens in advance—when stakeholders are consulted, coalitions are built, and agendas are shaped off the record. This practical insight into workplace power dynamics resonated across levels, from aspiring managers to senior executives. 4. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy on Agility, AI Strategy, and the Role of Managers HBR IdeaCast This wide-ranging interview with Andy Jassy offered a rare view into how Amazon’s CEO is managing one of the world’s most complex companies. The discussion covered Amazon’s evolving AI strategy, the decision to bring employees back to the office, and Jassy’s ambition to simplify decision-making by reducing layers of management. As companies everywhere debated similar challenges, this video gave viewers a valuable reference point at enterprise scale. 5. Walls and Moats Won’t Save You. Innovation Will. Scott D. Anthony Using the fall of Constantinople as metaphor, innovation expert and professor at Dartmouth’s Tuck Business School Scott Anthony challenged leaders to examine whether their strongest defenses are actually their biggest vulnerabilities. The short video, part of our Quick Study series, reminds leaders that what worked in the past may not protect them from future disruption. With cinematic pacing and a timely message, the video stood out as both a history lesson and a wake-up call. New This Year: HBR Shorts Our short-form video initiative is designed to give HBR authors a way to distill their big ideas into small packages—short, self-shot videos that speak directly to audiences on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube Shorts. These explainers challenge our experts to clarify their thinking and allow them to stay in conversation with readers, watchers, and learners throughout the week. The most successful Shorts so far have been article-based explainers and tips from our flagship IdeaCast podcast. Both offer timely business insights to the busy leaders and executives who need them. Finally, we introduced short teasers for one of our newest video offerings—HBR Executive Masterclass—helping audiences sample ideas before committing to deeper learning. Here are a few videos that held your attention this year: 1. Forget Perks. Here’s What Makes Employees Happy. Arthur C. Brooks In one of our most-watched clips of the year, Harvard professor Arthur C. Brooks lays out a simple truth: employee happiness and profit rise together. During an IdeaCast Live event with HBR editor-at-large Adi Ignatius, Brooks shared data showing that companies with the highest levels of employee well-being consistently outperform the market—yet many organizations still invest in perks instead of what people truly want: friendship, empowerment, efficiency, and to be heard. His evidence-based, practical take on building happier workplaces struck a chord with executives looking to boost performance by strengthening culture. Watch it on Instagram . 2. What Psychological Safety Really Means Amy Edmondson Harvard professor Amy C. Edmondson—whose work on psychological safety has fueled several of our most-watched videos this year—clarifies one of leadership’s most misunderstood concepts. In this clip, she breaks down what psychological safety isn’t and offers simple, everyday behaviors leaders can use to help teams speak up, learn faster, and make better decisions. Drawn from her HBR Executive Masterclass , her message resonated with leaders at every level. Watch it on Instagram . 3. Stop Solving Your Team’s Problems for Them Elizabeth Lotardo In one of our standout leadership videos this year, researcher and consultant Elizabeth Lotardo tackles a quiet but pervasive source of burnout: leaders taking on every problem their team brings them. Drawing on her work in organizational psychology , she shares five simple questions that shift teams from dependency to independent problem solving. Viewers responded to her practical, compassionate approach to building high-performing teams without burning themselves out. Watch it on Instagram . 4. To Lead Better, Shift the Beliefs Holding You Back Muriel M. Wilkins Executive coach and Coaching Real Leaders host Muriel M. Wilkins—whose HBR Executive Masterclass on reframing limiting beliefs came out this year—explores why shifting your mindset doesn’t mean changing who you are. In this IdeaCast conversation with HBR executive editor Alison Beard, she explains how long-held beliefs are learned, malleable, and expandable—and how adopting a new, more constructive belief can unlock clearer action and healthier leadership. Wilkin’s grounded reframing resonated with leaders aiming to break perfectionist habits and grow. Watch it on Instagram . 5. Managing in the Age of Outrage Karthik Ramanna In this teaser from his HBR Executive Masterclass, Leading in the Age of Outrage , Oxford professor Karthik Ramanna explains why traditional crisis management no longer works. In an era defined by outrage and polarization, he argues that leaders need a new strategic skill set—one that helps them navigate the velocity and intensity of public anger without slipping into firefighting. His framework, drawn from research in governance and public policy, gave many executives a clearer path to maintaining trust and legitimacy during turbulent times. Watch it on Instagram . Looking Ahead Across all formats, the videos that resonated most in 2025 were those that helped leaders reframe familiar challenges in new ways—often by shifting the focus from external change to internal clarity. That aligns with what we continue to hear from our audience: that in an era of volatility and pressure, they’re hungry for tools that improve their thinking, not just their tactics. As we build our 2026 video slate, we’ll continue to combine rigorous insight, human connection, and bold storytelling—whether in 30-minute masterclasses or 60-second shorts. We hope you’ll keep watching.
