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Norman Lear, perhaps most famous for the creation of "All in the Family," has spent his entire career behind the scenes. He talks about negotiating with network bosses, bringing out the best in writers and actors, and more.

Bobbi Brown, chief creative officer of the eponymous "natural looks" cosmetics line, talks about building a brand within a large corporation.

J. Craig Venter made waves in 1998 when he and his for-profit company, Celera, challenged the public Human Genome Project to a DNA sequencing race. (It ended in a tie two years later.) Fired from Celera in 2002, the biologist now runs a nonprofit institute and two biotech firms, overseeing the development of synthetic cells to be used in plastics, food supplements, and vaccines.

The soccer superstar talks about becoming an informal team leader, why he came out of retirement to join the New York Cosmos, and what he thinks about money in sports.

The cook, critic, and fiction writer discusses her years as the last editor of "Gourmet": how she handled being a manager, modernized the magazine, and dealt with its closing.

Researchers have long known that men's economic decisions change after they're exposed to pictures of models or lingerie. A new study reveals that women's decisions are also affected by sexual cues--although not in exactly the same way.

The 73-year-old Zandra Rhodes became famous in the 1970s, had to close up shop in the 1990s, and is now enjoying a renaissance. In this interview with senior editor Alison Beard, she talks about working while she travels, how she faces setbacks, and her opinion of the fashion industry today.

For nearly four decades, Langer's research on mindfulness has influenced thinking across a range of fields, from behavioral economics to positive psychology. It demonstrates that by paying attention to what's going on around us, instead of operating on autopilot, we can reduce stress, unlock creativity, and boost performance. "Mindfulness is the essence of engagement," Langer says. "And it's energy-begetting, not energy- consuming." It enables people to recognize and take advantage of opportunities when they arise and to avert risk. Furthermore, Langer says, "You like people better, and people like you better, because you're less evaluative. You're more charismatic." In this interview, she discusses the link between mindfulness and innovation, why mindfulness makes one less judgmental about others, what managers can do to become more mindful, and more.

An interview with the pathbreaking online educator Salman Khan.

"No" doesn't necessarily mean "never." In fact, new research from Stanford shows that people who've refused your first request are much likelier to agree to your second one than anyone would expect.

Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on overcoming gender discrimination in the legal profession, building rapport and consensus with her colleagues, being a "mother hen" to her clerks, and the lessons she learned growing up on a ranch.

A new study reveals that people who start companies pray more often and are more likely to believe that God takes a personal interest in them.

The wildly successful restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa, whose hospitality group has 22 outlets in 13 countries, overcame a lot of adversity early in his career. In this edited interview he talks about selecting the talent for his kitchens, the pleasure he gets from seeing happy customers, his partnership with the actor Robert De Niro, and more.

Lorne Michaels, the creator of "Saturday Night Live," has launched the careers of comedians from Eddie Murphy to Kristen Wiig. Here he talks about the power of absolute deadlines, resolving creative differences, what he looks for in new talent, and more.

Russell Simmons, the founder of the Def Jam record label, talks about the diversity of his businesses, mentoring musicians and executives, making decisions on instinct, and more.

Many people feel disconnected from the individuals they'll become in the future, perceiving their older self as "someone else." Because of this, they often make decisions that are not in their best long-term interests. But when people view images of themselves that have been digitally aged, their perspective changes, and their judgment improves.

Arnold Palmer talks about his strategy for winning, his opinion of coaches, and learning from losses.

The acclaimed American writer Maya Angelou on the creative process, bridging cultural divides, and what makes a great leader.

Philippe Starck has designed thousands of products, interiors, and buildings for clients ranging from Microsoft to Baccarat. Here, he reveals the secrets of his productivity: being a control freak, traveling light, and hiring by intuition.

Ireland's first female president, Robinson went on to serve as the United Nations high commissioner for human rights and to launch her own foundation. In this interview with Alison Beard, she discusses wielding influence in the absence of formal authority, challenging powerful people and institutions, how women's leadership differs from men's, and more.