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Rich Lesser

Global Chair, Boston Consulting Group, Inc.

Search every verified Rich Lesser interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Rich Lesser, global chair of Boston Consulting Group, has commented on the impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce. In an August 2023 interview, Lesser discussed a BCG survey indicating that AI had become a growing concern for CEOs, noting that 72% of CEOs in the firm's annual AI radar said they personally owned AI, up from 36% the previous year. He stated that while there is a job displacement risk from AI, there is a "five times bigger need to reshape jobs in an AI world," and that over half of American jobs will need to be reshaped, meaning what employees do will change rather than the jobs disappearing. Lesser advised that most CEOs are focused on embedding AI into workflows and reskilling the workforce rather than on job cuts. In earlier remarks, Lesser addressed labor shortages and workplace dynamics. In a June 2021 interview, he described the economy as "worker-driven" and said employers should consider the "employee value propositions" they create, including balance, fulfillment, and learning opportunities. He also spoke about diversity and inclusion efforts, stating in a 2018 speech that his organization's journey involved embedding such priorities into strategy, engaging with employees, and persisting through challenges. In a 2015 speech, he emphasized the importance of mentorship and helping young professionals build networks and develop strengths while remaining authentic.

Recent appearances

Notable quotes

“I heard so many cos say to me, I want to avoid going to Brussels, Washington, uh you know, the capitals of whatever country I'm based in. I government should do government. I want to run my business. I hope they'll stay out of my hair and I'll work hard to try to keep government out of my hair was often their expression. But I that's it. Right now in a very complicated world, the CEO is statesmen somewhat related to ”

“I think one of the things that a co has always had to do is to balance delivering performance in the short term with positioning an organization for growth and success in the long term. That's I think of that as what the core of vitality means to build vitality in a company. Right now that is harder than ever. It's harder than ever because short-term performance when there's so much change going on around us is not e”

“I think this could well be a substantial issue because even if it only has a couple percent impact on unemployment, that would be very meaningful in the US, which has been hanging around 4% give or take for quite a number of years now. And if that were to go up meaningfully, even if the overall benefits were still substantial, I think that would have an important narrative effect in the political environment.”

“I used to have a joke that actually isn't a joke, which over my many years, I felt like if you invested against the mood of Davos. When people were really exuberant, you would underinvest. When people were really conservative or pessimistic, you'd probably actually make more money.”

“We need to raise the price of carbon over time. You don't have to raise it all at once, but because a lot of what you're trying to do is change long-term project planning, capital investments. So, as long as people know the price of carbon's going up, you don't have to do it all tomorrow. And we have to be sensitive to the politics of this. Personally, I don't think that raising the price of carbon for consumer-facin”

“Who knows how to be bold and pragmatic? It's business leaders. You don't prepare for the future if you're not bold and you don't get to have a long term unless you have a short term. Business can be a great partner to government to move this, but it has to earn trust. It has to be seen as putting society's interests really up there and not just working to further its own short-term interests in this.”

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