What AI-first leadership really looks like
Leadership in the AI era requires a major change in control, strategy, and influence. The executives who succeed will be those who view AI not only as an assistant but as a...
Leadership skills
Brain Circuits
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.
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Full recovery: three ways to help your employees cope with work stress Â
According to the American Institute of Stress, 80% of US employees feel stress at work, with a third suffering from exhaustion and 44% feeling overworked. Ronit Kark, Sabine Sonnentag, and Laura Venz explain how...
Continue readingI by IMD Brain Circuits dive straight into the topics that matter most to you — whether that’s AI, sustainability, leadership, governance, inclusion, and strategy.
Grouped 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.
Brain Circuit
Artificial Intelligence
Explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping business and society. These quick insights help you navigate emerging technologies with confidence and clarity.
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Brain Circuit
Governance
Good governance underpins great leadership. These short reads offer fresh ways to think about ethics, accountability, and effective oversight.
Stakeholder capitalism can help build the currency of trust
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...
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Brain Circuit
Inclusion
Inclusion drives innovation. These Brain Circuits spark reflection on how diverse teams, voices, and perspectives strengthen decision-making.
Do you know the 6 superpowers that all chief diversity officers should have?
The CDO, formerly a figurehead for regulatory compliance, is now a key driver of company strategy. Luca Condosta describes the essential skills that CDOs require to turn DE&I concepts into actual commercial...
Brain Circuit
Leadership
Leadership isn’t a title — it’s a practice. Gain bite-sized tools to lead with purpose, clarity, and impact in a rapidly changing world.
Full recovery: three ways to help your employees cope with work stress Â
According to the American Institute of Stress, 80% of US employees feel stress at work, with a third suffering from exhaustion and 44% feeling overworked. Ronit Kark, Sabine Sonnentag, and Laura Venz explain how...
Gut feeling: four ways to enhance intuitive intelligence in the machine age
In a data-driven world, intuitive intelligence is a powerful skill that enables you to act decisively in uncertainty. Heather Cairns-Lee and Eugene Sadler-Smith explain the concept and how to cultivate it to enhance your...
Brain Circuit
Strategy
Sharpen your strategic thinking. These reads challenge assumptions and offer practical ways to align big-picture goals with daily action.
Management myth-busters: the innovation hero
Companies often fall into the trap of equating a cool-looking innovation lab with value-creating innovation output, investing in trendy office spaces, speaking in buzzwords, and hiring charismatic innovation leaders. However, these surface-level...
Are stakeholders making or breaking your strategy?Â
Leaders are often unaware of their value-critical stakeholders, inhibiting progress on strategic issues. The solution is to get rid of free riders and predators and build more involvement in the value-creation cycle...
Brain Circuit
Sustainability
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.
Brain Circuit
Talent
Developing, attracting, and empowering people who can thrive in complexity is the heartbeat of transformation—and a key circuit in the brain of any future-ready organisation.
Why your well-being initiatives aren’t working – and how to fix themÂ
It takes more than a few yoga classes to tackle the problems of burnout, financial stress, and poor mental and physical health. Consult the checklist to gauge the effectiveness of your current...
More from Brain Circuits
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.
Technology
Lessons in digital transformation from industry Â
In an interview with IMD’s Didier Bonnet, aerospace veteran Mike Ambrose shared his insights on pulling off a successful digital transformation in one of the world’s most complex industries.
May 22, 2025
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Management
Who’s sorry now? The value and risk of making an apology
We’re brought up to believe we should apologize if we’re in the wrong. But should leaders apologize in a work setting, or might it damage perceptions of their power and status? Jennifer Jordan sets out the dos and don’ts of making an apology when you’re in charge.
May 20, 2025
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Management
Control yourself! 4 practical steps to master your emotions and become a better leaderÂ
We are all at the mercy of ingrained behaviors. Answer the question below to identify how you respond emotionally, then check out the practical steps to help overcome your emotions.
May 6, 2025
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