“I’m Not Talking About This to Win a Popularity Contest”: An Interview with Larry Fink

One of the most powerful players in global finance, Larry Fink also stands out for his desire to change the very system that made him who he is. He has frequently spoken out about the perils of short-term thinking, especially on Wall Street, and in April 2015 he sent a letter to the world’s leading CEOs urging them to ignore their activist shareholders and focus instead on the long-term health of their companies. In this interview with HBR’s editor in chief, Fink expands on those ideas and talks about changing the tax code for capital gains, rethinking fiduciary responsibility, the role of government, and what makes companies great.