Radical federalism: The way to tackle the AI velocity problem
Question central planning: why a unit-focused hybrid approach may outperform both centralized control and chaotic AI adoption....
Brain Circuits are dynamic, one-minute reads that provide practical tips to encourage self-reflection, sharpen your leadership skills, and deepen your understanding of topics such as AI, sustainability, and inclusion.

September 24, 2026 • by Francesca-Giulia Mereu in Brain Circuits • 3 min read
Unlock motivation with five small actions: boost focus, reduce procrastination, and finish tasks faster....
Continue readingGrouped by theme it’s easy to explore specific areas of interest and return to them whenever you need a spark of insight. We encourage you to scroll through the categories to discover new ideas, fresh perspectives, and practical takeaways across a wide range of issues.
September 22, 2026 • by Michael Yaziji in AI • 3 min read
Question central planning: why a unit-focused hybrid approach may outperform both centralized control and chaotic AI adoption....
September 15, 2026 • by Naomi Haefner in AI • 3 min read
Discover why cybersecurity begins with people: continuous training and psychological safety that harden defenses beyond technology alone....
September 10, 2026 • by Amit Joshi in AI • 2 min read
CHROs can help businesses move past mistrust of AI and support workforce adoption. Ask yourself these six questions to make sure you’re easing the way and not piling on top-down pressure. ...
Good governance underpins great leadership. These short reads offer fresh ways to think about ethics, accountability, and effective oversight.
April 21, 2026 • by Didier Cossin, Yukie Saito in Governance (Brain Circuits) • 3 min read
AI is profoundly transforming the business landscape, presenting both significant opportunities and new challenges to boards. Here are five ways to use the technology as a powerful boardroom ally. ...
March 5, 2026 • by Denise H. Kenyon-Rouvinez, Paul Strebel in Governance (Brain Circuits) • 3 min read
Three common ‘traps’ impact boards across the world in private and publicly listed businesses alike. Here’s how to identify which trap is standing between you and success in the boardroom....
April 28, 2025 • by Jordi Gual in Governance (Brain Circuits) • 8 min read
Companies pursuing ESG goals increasingly face a backlash from shareholders who fear a drop in financial performance. Changes to corporate governance may be needed to restore trust on both sides of the...
December 11, 2025 • by Jennifer Jordan in Inclusion • 3 min read
Networking is vital for career advancement, yet women still face unique challenges when building professional relationships. Jennifer Jordan debunks three common misconceptions....
August 12, 2025 • by Aharon Cohen-Mohliver in Inclusion • 3 min read
In the age of Culture Wars, companies can easily trigger backlashes from customers in response to their actions or the behavior of their leaders. But will such reactions cost them in the...
June 17, 2025 • by Robert Vilkelis in Inclusion • 3 min read
Using gender-neutral language at work to refer to your same-sex partner is a small, internal negotiation that highlights a crucial nuance often missed in discussions about LGBTQ+ inclusion. Answer the following questions...
September 23, 2026 • by Michael Watkins in Leadership (Brain Circuits) • 3 min read
Explore six common leadership decision traps and proven remedies to improve outcomes, from precise problem framing to securing lasting team buy-in....
September 17, 2026 • by Matthijs Büchli, Susan Goldsworthy in Leadership (Brain Circuits) • 2 min read
Olympians Matthijs Büchli and Susan Goldsworthy show how to apply principles from elite sport to achieve your leadership goals with less stress....
September 16, 2026 • by Shelley Zalis in Leadership (Brain Circuits) • 2 min read
Is your leadership empowering or draining? A concise guide to humane, effective transformation that sustains performance....
September 3, 2026 • by Alfredo De Massis in Strategy (Brain Circuits) • 3 min read
Alfredo De Massis shows how to tap into existing ideas and knowledge to innovate and stay competitive....
May 20, 2026 • by Faisal Hoque, Paul Scade , Pranay Sanklecha in Strategy (Brain Circuits) • 3 min read
AI poses dual threats to organizations. Here’s how to manage the negative consequences that can arise from your own implementation of AI....
April 16, 2026 • by Prashant Saxena in Strategy (Brain Circuits) • 3 min read
Are you investing heavily in a strong leadership presence on social media but have no idea if it’s paying off? If so, use the proof, people, and place trifecta to deliver breakout results....
Sustainability isn't a nice to have – it's a business imperative. These insights show how leaders can build resilient organizations while serving the planet and society.
August 20, 2026 • by Matthias Altendorf in Sustainability (Brain Circuits) • 2 min read
Explore seven sustainability tests that help boards align initiatives with value creation, resilience, and long-term corporate longevity...
July 21, 2026 • by Julia Binder in Sustainability (Brain Circuits) • 3 min read
The role of the chief sustainability officer (CSO) has moved from the margins to the center of corporate strategy. Here are seven ways to harness AI to embed sustainability and drive growth....
February 25, 2026 • by Sara Ratti in Sustainability (Brain Circuits) • 3 min read
For most companies, climate action has limited influence on executive decision-making. Here’s how boards can design compensation structures that motivate leaders to meet corporate climate ambitions. ...
August 6, 2026 • by Robert Hooijberg, Tania Lennon in Talent • 3 min read
Question your talent practices: a guide to evaluating resource allocation for age diversity and enhancing problem solving....
June 11, 2026 • by Robert Hooijberg in Talent • 2 min read
Protect your pipeline: actionable steps to develop leaders from entry-level roles as AI transforms junior work tasks....
This section gathers Brain Circuit articles that defy easy categorization. Whether they explore emerging ideas, cross-disciplinary insights, or experimental thinking, these pieces offer fresh perspectives that don't quite fit into our usual themes—but still spark curiosity and challenge convention.

Unlock motivation with five small actions: boost focus, reduce procrastination, and finish tasks faster.
Learn how AI-powered feedback can boost executive coaching: three concrete tips to improve tone, word choice, and cultural insight.
Learn how fintech scale-ups turned insights into action via scoping, sensemaking, and enabling, plus a structured checklist for growth.
Join us for daily exercises focusing on issues from team building to developing an actionable sustainability plan to personal development. Go on - they only take five minutes.
What makes a great leader? Do you need charisma? How do you inspire your team? Our experts offer actionable insights through first-person narratives, behind-the-scenes interviews and The Help Desk.
Log in here to join in the conversation with the I by IMD community. Your subscription grants you access to the quarterly magazine plus daily articles, videos, podcasts and learning exercises.
Explore first person business intelligence from top minds curated for a global executive audience