From the DealBook Summit: Influential People Share Their Insights

At last week’s DealBook Summit in New York City, leaders in business, tech, media, law and other disciplines were invited by The New York Times to lead conversations about pressing issues in their fields. Ahead of the summit, The Times sent questions to each of the Groundbreakers. Their answers have been edited and condensed.

The Groundbreakers

• Neil Blumenthal: Co-founder and Co-C.E.O., Warby Parker
• Sharon Brous: Founder and senior rabbi, IKAR
• Steve Case: C.E.O., Revolution
• Ron Conway: Founder, SV Angel
• Katie Couric: Co-founder, Katie Couric Media
• Lynn Forester de Rothschild: Chairwoman, E.L. Rothschild, and founder and co-chair, the Council for Inclusive Capitalism
• Karla Gallardo: Founder and C.E.O., Cuyana
• Ryan Gellert: C.E.O., Patagonia
• Adam Grant: Organizational psychologist, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and author and host of “WorkLife”
• Jonathan Greenblatt: C.E.O. and national director, the Anti-Defamation League
• Chris Hadfield: Astronaut, commander of the International Space Station, combat fighter/test pilot and author
• Jonathan Haidt: Author and the Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business
• Sarah Harden: C.E.O., Hello Sunshine and Candle Studios
• Sherrilyn Ifill: President and director-counsel emeritus, the N.A.A.C.P. Legal Defense Fund
• Walter Isaacson: Author
• Neal Katyal: Former U.S. acting solicitor general
• Karlie Kloss: Entrepreneur and founder, Kode With Klossy
• David Miliband: President and C.E.O., the International Rescue Committee
• Sara Moonves: Editor in chief, W Magazine
• Hartmut Neven: Founder and lead, Google Quantum AI
• Michael Oren: Former Israeli ambassador to the United States and author
• Ai-jen Poo: President, the National Domestic Workers Alliance
• Steve Rattner: Chairman and C.E.O., Willett Advisors
• Eric Ripert: Chef and co-owner, Le Bernardin
• Liev Schreiber: Co-founder, BlueCheck Ukraine, and actor
• Rajiv Shah: President, the Rockefeller Foundation
• Priscilla Sims Brown: President and C.E.O., Amalgamated Bank
• Tim Wu: The Julius Silver Professor of Law, Science and Technology, Columbia Law School, and former special assistant to the president for technology and competition policy
• Esther Manheimer: Mayor, Asheville, N.C.
• Suzanne P. Clark: President, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Michael C. Bush: C.E.O., Great Place to Work

Neil Blumenthal: Co-founder and Co-C.E.O., Warby Parker

Credit…Guerin Blask for The New York Times

Groundbreaker Topic: Shaping Consumer Brands for the Long Term in an Uncertain Economic Landscape

As a leader, how do you manage the new normal of volatility in the retail landscape?

In an increasingly unpredictable world, a leader’s role is to serve as a shock absorber. At best, volatility distracts teams, and at worst, it scares them. The best leaders not only prepare teams for sudden swings in the business and geopolitical landscape but also help them maintain focus on their mission and the work at hand. At Warby Parker, we have a clear objective to provide vision for all — and we can adapt more quickly when we stay focused on that goal. While volatility can foster self-doubt and lead to task switching, a thoughtful and stable strategy still wins in the long run.

Sharon Brous: Founder and senior rabbi, IKAR

Groundbreaker Topic: Repairing the Torn Fabric of Our Communities With Compassion

What is one act we can do as citizens or community members to bridge that which seems to divide our communities?