Six decision traps and how to avoid them
From solving the wrong problem to getting the right people in the room, here are the patterns executive coaches spot and the practical fixes that work. ...
Michael D Watkins is Professor of Leadership and Organizational Change at IMD, and author of The First 90 Days, Master Your Next Move, Predictable Surprises, and 12 other books on leadership and negotiation. His book, The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking, explores how executives can learn to think strategically and lead their organizations into the future. A Thinkers 50-ranked management influencer and recognized expert in his field, his work features in HBR Guides and HBR’s 10 Must Reads on leadership, teams, strategic initiatives, and new managers. Over the past 20 years, he has used his First 90 Days® methodology to help leaders make successful transitions, both in his teaching at IMD, INSEAD, and Harvard Business School, where he gained his PhD in decision sciences, as well as through his private consultancy practice Genesis Advisers. At IMD, he directs the First 90 Days open program for leaders taking on challenging new roles and co-directs the Transition to Business Leadership (TBL) executive program for future enterprise leaders, as well as the Program for Executive Development.
May 1, 2026 • by Michael D. Watkins in Leadership • 8 min read
From solving the wrong problem to getting the right people in the room, here are the patterns executive coaches spot and the practical fixes that work. ...
April 23, 2026 • by Michael D. Watkins in Brain Circuits • 5 min read
Understand the seven major changes in leadership mindset and capabilities required for successful transition to enterprise leadership, as detailed by Michael D. Watkins....
February 19, 2026 • by Michael D. Watkins in AI • 3 min read
As AI reshapes business operations, your leadership development efforts must focus on enabling humans to continue to add distinctive value. Michael D. Watkins explains how to use the 75/25% rule to guide...
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