The Iscte Business School congratulates Professor Pedro Fontes Falcão on the publication of the article “The Skills Board Chairs Need Now” in the March–April 2026 issue of the prestigious Harvard Business Review.

Co-authored with Randall S. Peterson of London Business School, the article explores the essential skills that today’s board chairs must master. It highlights the challenges of managing divergent stakeholder priorities, adapting strategies in response to emerging technologies, and building consensus among directors.

The research combines the Professor’s academic expertise with his practical insight as a board member and director of several companies. This high-profile publication reinforces the excellence and global impact of the research carried out at Iscte.

The Iscte Business School further congratulates Professor Pedro Fontes Falcão on this achievement, with the article appearing in the March–April 2026 issue of Harvard Business Review—one of the world’s most influential publications in leadership and strategy.

Co-authored with Randall S. Peterson of London Business School, the article is the result of in-depth research into the evolving role of board chairs in an increasingly complex, volatile, and technologically disruptive business environment.

It also identifies a clear shift in the profile required of board chairs. Leadership based solely on experience and formal authority is no longer sufficient—according to the authors, success now depends on a set of critical capabilities.

The authors further emphasise that the effectiveness of board chairs increasingly relies on interpersonal skills—such as active listening, emotional intelligence, and the ability to influence—which complement traditional technical expertise.

Bridging academia and practice

One of the distinguishing features of this work is its strong connection between theory and practice. The research integrates empirical evidence with Pedro Fontes Falcão’s direct experience as a board member and director across several organisations, offering insights that are both practical and highly relevant for business leaders.

This approach reinforces Iscte Business School’s mission to produce knowledge with real impact on society and organisations, positioning the School as a strategic partner for executives and decision-makers.

Global impact and international recognition

Publication in Harvard Business Review represents not only recognition of the scientific quality of the work, but also of its relevance to contemporary corporate governance challenges.

At a time when organisations are undergoing profound transformations—from digital transition to increasing ESG demands—this contribution places research produced in Portugal at the centre of the global debate on leadership and governance.

This achievement further strengthens the international positioning of Iscte Business School as a leading institution in the production of innovative, relevant, and practice-oriented knowledge.

Read the full article here.