Leading Through Scarcity: Purpose Over Panic

CEO lessons for navigating constant change: When resources are tight and uncertainty is high, what keeps organizations moving forward? New Jersey Performing Art Center CEO John Schreiber and BCG’s Rishi Varma share how purpose-led strategy, prioritization, and the right partnerships drive growth. Clear, actionable plans grounded in mission give leaders a north star, helping them stay focused and make hard calls with confidence.

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John Schreiber, President and CEO, New Jersey Performing Arts Center https://www.njpac.org/about/our-people/

Rishi Varma, Managing Director & Senior Partner, BCG https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/rishi-varma

When Strategy Follows Purpose: The Art of Revival, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/when-strategy-follows-purpose-art-of-revival

BCG's CEO Agenda, https://www.bcg.com/executives/ceo-agenda/insights

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:57 The role of NJPAC

02:33 Why did the organization need to reshape?

05:47 How BCG partnered with NJPAC

07:52 Leading change in a legacy organization

11:16 CEO lessons for navigating constant change

13:28 Building resilience without abundant resources

14:25 How do leaders lead with less?

15:42 When does expanding mission become overreach?

17:36 What should leaders consider before expanding beyond the core?

18:44 How do you build coalitions that unlock real value?

19:54 What impact are you most proud of beyond Newark?

21:23 How do you think about legacy and long-term impact?

23:06 What stands out from disruption and change?

24:45 Outro

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