AACSB Pulse

10. Why We’re Bad at Disagreement—and How to Do It Better

From naive realism to receptiveness: How to disagree more constructively when everyone thinks they’re right. Host Eileen McAuliffe, AACSB's executive vice president of EMEA and chief thought leadership officer, talks with Harvard expert on disagreement, Julia Minson. They explore the root cause of disagreement and the surprising benefits of opening ourselves to opposing views. Their conversation is shaped by three big questions: 1. Throughout your book, you talk about naïve realism—our deeply held belief that we are fundamentally right—as a common obstacle to more productive conversations. Can you discuss this phenomenon and explain its role in disagreement?  2. You argue that the solution to these entrenched beliefs is to develop receptiveness—to open ourselves to other views, especially ones that oppose our own. What are some strategies for developing receptiveness in ourselves and in preparing future leaders? 3. Can you explain the HEAR framework and how it signals to others that you are genuinely listening? To view a full transcript of the episode, visit https://www.aacsb.edu/insights/podcasts/2026/aacsb-pulse-why-were-bad-at-disagreement-and-how-to-do-it-better [https://www.aacsb.edu/insights/podcasts/2026/aacsb-pulse-why-were-bad-at-disagreement-and-how-to-do-it-better].

9. Beyond Accreditation: Creating the Global Standards

From strategic vision to community input to broader impact: shaping AACSB’s Global Standards for quality business education everywhere. Join host Eileen McAuliffe, AACSB’s executive vice president, chief thought leadership officer, and managing director of EMEA, in a discussion with two of the people behind the work to shape AACSB’s Global Standards for Business Education™ [https://www.aacsb.edu/educators/global-standards?_gl=1*1m8t4la*_gcl_au*MTc3NDYwMDE1Ni4xNzc2NDM1MTIy]: chief accreditation officer Stephanie Bryant and task force member Frank Buckless. They explore three big questions: 1. What was the broader vision behind developing these standards, particularly in terms of how AACSB sees its role in shaping business education worldwide? 2. How did you ensure you received broad feedback, and how did the task force structure its discussions around the large volume of input? 3. Looking ahead, how do you see these new standards influencing how business schools operate, innovate, and demonstrate impact in their communities? To view a full transcript of the episode, visit https://www.aacsb.edu/insights/podcasts/2026/aacsb-pulse-beyond-accreditation-creating-the-global-standards [https://www.aacsb.edu/insights/podcasts/2026/aacsb-pulse-beyond-accreditation-creating-the-global-standards].

8. Why Finance Leaders Must Lean Into AI

Inside AI’s impact on finance and accounting: Meta’s Jason Pikoos discusses shifting roles, smarter strategy, and new expectations for graduates. Host Eileen McAuliffe, AACSB's executive vice president, chief thought leadership officer, and managing director of EMEA, has a conversation with Meta’s director of modern finance, Jason Pikoos, on how AI is reshaping the finance industry—and what that means for how business schools need to prepare future finance leaders. She delves into three big questions: 1. You’re working at the forefront of technological innovation at Meta, and you’re in a finance role that’s especially ripe for AI-driven transformation. Given that vantage point, what does the future of finance look like? 2. How is AI changing the way companies structure themselves and develop their people? 3. Thinking about the next generation of finance leaders, what skills and competencies will matter most—and how should business schools evolve to prepare them? To view a full transcript of the episode, visit https://www.aacsb.edu/insights/podcasts/2026/aacsb-pulse-why-finance-leaders-must-lean-into-ai [https://www.aacsb.edu/insights/podcasts/2026/aacsb-pulse-why-finance-leaders-must-lean-into-ai].

7. Building Business Education in China

AACSB president and CEO, Lily Bi, guest-hosts this episode of AACSB Pulse, featuring Xiongwen Lu, dean of the Fudan University School of Management and an AACSB board member. From the Elevate: Asia Pacific Conference in Hong Kong, Lily and Xiongwen discuss the evolution of business education in China and how Fudan's School of Management built its programs, reputation, and industry connections over 40 years. They center their conversation on three big questions: 1. Fudan’s School of Management recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. What do you think has driven that success, and how do you sustain momentum as the school matures? 2. Fudan University sits at an intersection of Eastern and Western approaches to business education. What are the biggest differences and similarities between how business schools in China and the West prepare future leaders for a global economy? 3. Fudan University has a deep tradition in the humanities and arts, while the School of Management is also investing in areas like AI, data science, and other technologies. How can these diverse disciplines work together with core business disciplines to meet the evolving needs of students, employers, and society? To view a full transcript of the episode, visit https://www.aacsb.edu/insights/podcasts/2026/aacsb-pulse-building-business-education-in-china [https://www.aacsb.edu/insights/podcasts/2026/aacsb-pulse-building-business-education-in-china].

6. Business Schools, Rankings, and the Media

A discussion on the power and limits of rankings, and how business schools can redefine excellence around mission, impact, and relevance. Host Eileen McAuliffe, AACSB's executive vice president, chief thought leadership officer, and managing director of EMEA, sits down with Phil Baty, chief global affairs officer at Times Higher Education, while at the World Academic Summit in Saudi Arabia. The two discuss Times Higher Education’s rankings and their influence, and how to best convey an institution’s purpose and impact to the public. They examine the following three big questions: 1. The World University Rankings were first launched over 20 years ago. Can you talk a bit about the origins of those rankings and how they grew to be what they are today? 2. Rankings can be a contentious issue among higher ed institutions—particularly those that aren’t often represented in the top numbers. How well do you think rankings reflect the excellence of a university? 3. Since much of the media narrative around higher education is about cost and return on investment, how can business schools leverage their expertise in measuring value to reshape this conversation in the public sphere? To view a full transcript of the episode, visit https://www.aacsb.edu/insights/podcasts/2026/aacsb-pulse-business-schools-rankings-and-the-media [https://www.aacsb.edu/insights/podcasts/2026/aacsb-pulse-business-schools-rankings-and-the-media].