Jeffrey Cohn

Jeffrey previously helped develop Harvard Business School’s first leadership case on Apple and became a recognized expert in CEO succession at Spencer Stuart and Heidrick & Struggles. Jeffrey has also taught leadership at Yale Law School and INSEAD, working with senior executives as they wrestle with strategy, succession, and culture in real time. Today he advises boards and coaches managing partners, CEOs of private equity backed portfolio companies, and their leadership teams, linking leadership behavior to measurable business results.

Working closely with law firms and portfolio company leaders, he helps high-performing operators confront the real blockers to growth perfectionism, over-control, risk aversion, and quiet self-doubt—so they can evolve into more effective leaders. His writing has appeared in Harvard Business Review, CNN, Fortune, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, and other outlets, where he examines what truly drives leadership outcomes. He also hosts the Imperfect Leaders podcast, exploring the missteps and course corrections behind enduring leadership careers. Jeffrey holds a bachelor’s degree in Applied Microeconomics from Vanderbilt University and an MBA in Finance from Tulane University.