Poets & Thinkers
Poets & Thinkers explores the humanistic future of business leadership through deep, unscripted conversations with visionary minds – from best-selling authors and inspiring artists to leading academic experts and seasoned executives.
Hosted by tech executive, advisor, and Princeton entrepreneurship & design fellow Ben Lehnert, this podcast challenges conventional MBA wisdom, blending creative leadership, liberal arts, and innovation to reimagine what it means to lead in the AI era.
If you believe leadership is both an art and a responsibility, this is your space to listen, reflect, and evolve.
Poets & Thinkers
The Myth of Greatness and Ethics in Business with author and writer Avram Alpert
What if our obsession with being the best is actually holding us back? In this inaugural episode of Poets & Thinkers, we explore the myth of greatness with Avram Alpert. He is a writer and teaches at Princeton University.
Avi challenges the idea that only the “best” deserve success. He proposes an alternative: “Embracing a ‘good-enough’ approach.” – with a focus on fostering sustainability, fulfillment, and a more equitable society.
Avram takes us on a journey through the themes of his book, “The Good-Enough Life”. He unpacks how values influence business, politics, and human connection. We discuss real-world examples of how collaboration, rather than competition, drives meaningful progress. Avram shares how and how leaders can reshape systems to prioritize collective well-being over individual accolades.
In this candid and eye-opening conversation, we explore:
- Why the pursuit of “greatness” can be a trap
- How ethical constraints clash with business ambitions
- What history teaches us about cooperation vs. competition
- The surprising power of “good enough” leadership for a better future
This episode is an invitation to shift your perspective on success, challenge the status quo, and imagine a world where everyone gets a seat at the table.
Topics
01:00 - Introduction to Avram Alpert and his work
04:30 - The intersection of values and business
07:00 - Role of systemic constraints in ethical decision-making
12:00 - The paradox of societal progress vs. individual well-being
18:00 - Defining greatness vs. “good-enough”
22:00 - The “good-enough parent” and its implications for society
27:00 - How history shows us the power of collaboration
36:00 - The paradox of human nature: individualism vs. collectivism
42:00 - What qualities do we need in future leaders?
46:00 - The case for a “good-enough” future
Resources Mentioned
The Good-Enough Life by Avram Alpert
The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith
Connect with Avram:
Get in touch: ben@poetsandthinkers.co
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