Michael Watkins

Program Director

“Successful leaders are systematic in planning their transition and reach break even 50% faster than those who aren’t.”

Michael Watkins

Program Director

“Successful leaders are systematic in planning their transition and reach break even 50% faster than those who aren’t.”

Meet your Program Director

Michael Watkins is a professor of Leadership and Organizational Change at IMD. He has spent the last two decades working with leaders as they transition to new roles, build their teams, and transform their organizations.

His international bestseller The First 90 Days®: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Smarter and Faster, remains a classic reference for leaders in transition, with over 1.5 million copies sold to date.

Michael Watkins is a Thinkers50-ranked global management influencer and best-selling author of 11 books on leadership and negotiation. He has written hundreds of articles for leading business journals. A globally recognized leadership transitions expert, Professor Watkins is a sought-after keynote speaker and guest on popular business podcasts.

Michael Watkins’ publications

AI-enabled executives: How ChatGPT will sharpen strategic thinking

By Michael D. Watkins

Combinations of executives and purpose-built AI systems will soon work together to enhance decision making, problem solving and strategy formulation

‘A revolution in productivity’: What ChatGPT could mean for business

By Michael D. Watkins

The ground-breaking artificial intelligence chatbot looks set to commodify knowledge and transform leadership development, but companies need to be acutely aware of the risks

Energy, focus and five other key skills for future leaders

By Michael D. Watkins

Facing times of unprecedented peril, we need to urgently develop a pipeline of leaders capable of mobilizing, focusing and sustaining the energy of teams and organizations.

Six ways to engage with your teams to frame and solve strategic problems

By Michael D. Watkins

There is no one-size-fits-all method to find the right solutions, but a ‘team engagement’ checklist will put you on the right track.