I by IMD

What does it take to lead one of the world’s most loved brands — and still admit it had become too slow, too complex, and too hard to move? In this CEO Dialogue, LEGO CEO Niels Christiansen discusses with IMD’s Jean-François Manzoni how he simplified the organization, empowered local teams and expanded beyond children to adult fans. He explains why LEGO opened stores when others were closing them, why “the basis is physical” even in a digital world, and why sustainability remains a long-term investment even when “consumers are (…) not willing to pay for it.”When Christiansen took over as CEO in 2017, he stepped into a company that had “stalled”. Today, LEGO Group has grown into the world’s largest toy company, with revenues exceeding €11bn ($12.8bn) and around 34,000 employees worldwide. It is one of the most remarkable brand stories in modern business.Listen in to understand how LEGO rebuilt momentum — not through grand slogans, but through disciplined execution.Our Guest:Niels B ChristiansenPresident & Chief Executive Officer, the LEGO Group; CEO, LEGO Holding. Niels Christiansen joined the LEGO Group as CEO in 2017 after leading Danfoss. Under his leadership, LEGO has expanded its retail footprint, invested in sustainable materials, strengthened digital play experiences, and continued to rank among the world’s most loved brands.

What does it take to inherit a family legacy without becoming trapped by it? In this episode of I by IMD, Marleen Dieleman speaks with Chef Pam, the visionary behind Potong, a 120-year-old family pharmacy in Bangkok’s Chinatown which she transformed into a world-renowned restaurant and cultural landmark, earning her the title of the World’s Best Female Chef. Her story is not just about creating the best Thai food, or serving cocktails in her family’s former dispensary, or receiving the desired Michelin Star. It is about migration, risk, reinvention, and what it means to build something deeply personal inside a multigenerational legacy.She is strikingly clear about the choices that shaped the journey, recalling that during the pandemic-era rebuild, “I sold all my gold” to invest in the project, working all the way to today, where “it’s not about money anymore,” to continue the family business. Chef Pam’s business partner is her husband, and together with their daughter, who has to cope with her parents working long hours in the kitchen, they are already planning their next steps and expanding their footprint in the neighborhood. Her advice to next-generation leaders is blunt: “I don't think there's a shortcut.” This episode conversation offers unique insights and a powerful lesson: legacy does not have to be a constraint. It can be the building material of innovation.Our guest:Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij (Chef Pam) is a Thai chef and entrepreneur who reimagined her family’s 120-year-old Chinese medicine building into Potong, a Michelin-starred restaurant known for progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine. She was awarded “World’s Best Female Chef” in 2025, the first Thai and first Asian woman to receive that title.

Ann Perrins on rebuilding Atlassian Williams F1 through talent, culture, psychological safety – and the long road back to winning.What does it really take to rebuild a Formula One team from the inside out? In this episode of I by IMD podcast, Susan Goldsworthy hosts Ann Perrins, Chief HR Officer at Atlassian Williams Racing, to discuss the human side of elite performance: how to attract world-class talent, build a culture people want to stay in, and transform an iconic team without losing its identity. Perrins makes it clear that this doesn’t mean a soft agenda: the team “can't return to winning unless we get that right.” She also reframes a term many leaders misuse: “psychological safety is not about everything feeling nice and comfortable.” And she is blunt about the reality behind the glamour: “we’re very explicit and we don’t sugarcoat it.” Our guest:Ann Perrins is the Chief Human Resource Officer at Atlassian Williams Racing. Before joining Williams in 2023, she built her career across banking, consulting, and global engineering and operations environments, including 17 years at BP and senior roles at GKN Automotive. At Williams, she is helping lead the people, culture, and talent transformation needed to support the team’s return to winning.

What does it take to restore confidence in a 160-year-old bank that investors had stopped believing in? In this episode, IMD’s Jean-François Manzoni speaks with Societe Generale CEO Slawomir Krupa about rebuilding a major institution from the inside out: stronger capital, more cost discipline, harder strategic choices – and a leadership culture of clarity and accountability.Krupa does not frame transformation as storytelling. He frames it as work. He says the bank inherited “weak foundations,” warns that dismissing challengers such as fintechs is “a recipe for disaster down the road,” and explains why some painful decisions were made because “it was the right thing to do.” Our Guest:Slawomir KrupaChief Executive Officer, Societe GeneraleSlawomir Krupa became CEO of Societe Generale in May 2023 after spending nearly his entire career at the bank. Before becoming CEO, he held senior leadership roles across Corporate and Investment Banking, served as CEO of Societe Generale Americas, and led Global Banking and Investor Solutions. Under his leadership, the bank has focused on restoring capital strength, simplifying the portfolio, and repositioning for sustainable growth.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slawomir-krupa/

Scaling a company is not about chasing headlines. It’s about proving customers care.In this episode of I by IMD, Katarina Bonde shares hard-earned lessons from decades in venture-backed tech, board leadership, and global scale-ups. She challenges founders to validate demand before celebrating growth: “If no one is… spending money to buy it, you actually don't have a product.” Katarina, who served as board chair and CEO in various venture-backed tech firms across the US and Europe, also reframes the AI discussion. The opportunity isn’t in the current bubble, but in the smart use of data – “the real gold here.” For rapid-growth startups, so-called scale-ups, who are tempted to prioritize land grabs over margins, Katarina offers a grounded reminder: “You have to show that you have a business model that can pay for itself.” Our Guest:Katarina Bonde served as Chair of companies including Mentimeter, Stillfront Group, and others in Sweden’s digital ecosystem. She also served as an executive in various venture-backed tech firms in Europe and the US and is an active angel investor.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarinabonde/ 

What does it take to build a company that lasts generations — not just quarters? In this episode, Endress+Hauser’s Supervisory Board President Matthias Altendorf discusses with IMD professor Goutam Challagala how to integrate sustainability into strategy, innovation, and board governance of a global market leader.Altendorf challenges common thinking: “If you start to separate one from the other, you will never get the synergies.” He embraces disciplined vigilance: “Only the paranoid survives.” And he reframes diversity as protection: “The more diverse your DNA is, the better you can deal with the future.”A conversation for everyone interested in building organizations that can navigate uncertainty without losing their identity.Our Guest:Matthias Altendorf led Endress+Hauser as its first non-family CEO and now serves as Supervisory Board President. Under his leadership, the company strengthened its global market position, expanded into high-growth sectors, and deepened its sustainability integration while maintaining family ownership principles.

Construction is one of the biggest carbon emitters – and cement sits at the center of it. In this episode of Inside the Transition, IMD's Julia Binder and Knut Haanaes speak with Holcim’s Head of Operational Excellence Ram Muthu about what decarbonization looks like when you’re responsible for heavy equipment, waste streams, and execution across real plants.Muthu doesn’t romanticize the challenge. He argues the sector can move fast – but only if policy and infrastructure keep up, and if leaders stop treating transformation like a checklist. As he puts it: “Cement and building materials are probably one of the hardest to abate sectors,” “our industry still depends a lot on carbon capture and storage,” and “focus on execution is critical.”Inside the Transition delivers practical, executive-grade conversations on the energy transition. More info: https://www.imd.org/ibyimd/podcasts/inside-the-transition/ Our Guest:Ram Muthu is the Head of Operational Excellence at Holcim and a member of Holcim’s Executive Committee, focused on operational performance and the delivery of transformation at scale across a global building materials leader. LinkedIn: https://ch.linkedin.com/in/ram-muthu-112b46b

In this episode of Inside the Transition, IMD’s Julia Binder and Knut Haanaes welcome Marie-Laure Schaufelberger, Chief Sustainability Officer of Pictet Group, to explore the role of finance in driving the energy transition.Schaufelberger oversees Pictet’s responsible investment strategy, ESG governance, and stewardship, and brings a capital-markets perspective shaped by her work across thematic investing and system-level initiatives such as Building Bridges. The conversation examines where transition capital is flowing, how investors assess corporate credibility, and how expectations are evolving. For executives, the episode offers practical insight into what it now takes to attract and sustain transition finance.

In a moment of upheaval for international development, Katherine Milligan of the Graduate Institute and Carlos Álvarez Pereira, Secretary General of the Club of Rome, argue that hope – not fear – must guide what comes next. In 2025, the international development sector reached a tipping point.Deep cuts to U.S. aid and a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape made clear that the international development system as we knew it was gone. What comes next depends on how we choose to respond. According to Katherine Milligan, Senior Lecturer at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and elea Fellow at IMD, and Carlos Alvarez Pereira, Secretary General of the Club of Rome, the path forward begins not with fear or denial, but with psychological safety. They argue that creating space for honest reflection is essential to bridging the growing dissonance between official narratives and how humanitarian and development professionals are actually feeling. In this conversation, they explore the leadership skills, competencies, and sensemaking practices needed to unlock collective intelligence, so the sector can navigate transformation and maximize the chances for renewal and success. 

Could an ecosystem-led approach to disparate industrial information technology systems build more resilient and efficient global supply chains? Caspar Herzberg, CEO of industrial software company AVEVA, argues that breaking down data silos across companies and sectors could benefit all stakeholders through what he calls “radical collaboration.”Herzberg details the increasing complexity of the industrial world, where thousands of systems across supply chains have locked-in value because they don’t communicate. He argues that to decomplexify and unlock this value, industries need radical collaboration—overcoming the fear of sharing data to realize a significantly bigger collective prize.Ultimately, Herzberg says that he is a pragmatist regarding AI’s societal impact, noting that the augmentation of the worker will be hugely productivity-enhancing. But he cautions that we must collectively establish boundaries on its use, as AI serves humankind.

In this episode, IMD Professor Zhike Lei speaks with Marcus Schindler, the former head of Novo Nordisk’s R&D operation, about driving innovation through transformation. Schindler reveals his journey is defined by “exploration” and details how he balances the need for immediate delivery with long-term discovery, stressing that success requires doing both.Novo Nordisk’s strong, patient-focused purpose attracts global talent, and Schindler explains the strategy behind establishing R&D hubs in places like Boston to leverage external innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. R&D teams, he says, need to prepare for the age of AI by becoming “bi-lingual” in both science and digital skills, and concludes that trust and a compelling value story are the currency for leading a transformative organization.

In this episode, IMD Professor Zhike Lei speaks with Marcus Schindler, the former head of Novo Nordisk's R&D operation, about driving innovation through transformation. Marcus reveals his journey is defined by "exploration" and details how he balances the need for immediate delivery with long-term discovery, stressing that success requires doing both.Novo Nordisk’s strong, patient-focused purpose attracts global talent, and Marcus explains the strategy behind establishing R&D hubs in places like Boston to leverage external innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. R&D teams, he says, need to prepare for the age of AI by becoming "bi-lingual" in both science and digital skills, and concludes that trust and a compelling value story are the currency for leading a transformative organization.

In the second episode of IMD’s sustainability series, Julia Binder and Knut Haanaes welcome Kunal Chandra, the Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer at RWE. Chandra, an IMD alumnus, oversees one of Europe's largest clean energy investment programs and offers a unique perspective from his career across Shell, Siemens, and now RWE, on the accelerating energy transition. Chandra’s career began with a desire to travel, and evolved into a deep understanding of energy's fundamental role in human civilization. The discussion centers on the speed of the transition, the bottlenecks it creates, and the strategic choices executives must make in an increasingly electrified and contested energy world.

AI has leapt from obscurity to ubiquity, reshaping work and society. But its flaws run deep, forcing leaders to balance its promise with its dangerous limitations.   From the frosty skepticism of AI’s early winters to the blazing hype of today’s workplace revolution, artificial intelligence has undergone a dramatic transformation. In this episode, IMD’s Didier Bonnet and Oxford University’s Michael Wooldridge take us behind the scenes of AI’s evolution, revealing how neural networks rose from the dead, why conversational AI dazzles but deceives, and what leaders must understand about the paradox at its core: a powerful tool that’s useful, but not always correct.As AI reshapes industries, boosts productivity, and quietly erodes certain roles, Wooldridge urges us to rethink how we work, learn, and lead. Whether you’re a CEO, educator, or everyday user, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and offer a grounded view of what AI can and can’t do. Tune in to explore the real story behind the headlines and discover how to navigate the new normal with clarity and caution. 

Christophe Fouquet, CEO of ASML, tells Jean-François Manzoni how the world’s only EUV lithography machine maker became Europe’s most indispensable company – and what comes next.Few companies can claim to sit at the center of modern technological progress. ASML is one of them. The Dutch multinational is the only company in the world capable of producing extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines – the technology behind the smallest, fastest, and most powerful semiconductor chips.Without ASML, the world’s most advanced computing systems, from AI data centers to smartphones, simply would not exist. Tune in to find out more.

Oliver Zeidler is an Olympian who has successfully reinvented himself. After missing out on the Rio 2016 games as a swimmer, he switched sports to become a World Champion rower just three years later.In conversation with IMD’s Susan Goldsworthy, Zeidler discusses growing up in a family legacy of Olympic success, which "normalized peak performance," and the critical role of his grandfather as a "secure base" who inspired him to pursue both a competitive sports career and a business career, at Deloitte.Zeidler explains how combining an intellectual, office-based role with the physical demands of rowing has provided balance in his life. He talks about the key to his sustainable success and details a unique perspective on managing setbacks and embracing the "beginner's mindset". This powerful characteristic has allowed him to continuously explore and master new challenges, from switching sports at 20 to entering a demanding MBA program at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne.

This week we feature a recent episode of IMD's sister podcast, Leaders Unplugged. IMD President David Bach sits down with Henrik Andersen, CEO of Vestas, for a raw conversation on Europe’s energy transition and the courage leaders need to navigate it.Andersen delivers a stark warning on Europe’s complacency: “Europe is 50% dependent on import of energy day in and day out. The truth is we import more LNG gas from Russia than we did in 2022.” He explains how China is building up its alternative energy capacities faster than any other nation – and dismantles hype around unproven solutions, such as hydrogen: “It is a little bit of a dream that is beyond a dream”.His purpose for being an outspoken leader is clear: “Our kids will say, ‘we will never forgive you because why did you keep talking about something that doesn’t happen?’” And he delivers a strong lesson to his peers: speak out, take blows, and act boldly in a volatile world.

This week, we bring you a powerful conversation from OWP Singapore, IMD’s flagship five-day program focused on orchestrating winning performance. In this fireside chat, Professor Omar Toulan sits down with Dan Luo, IMD MBA alumna (Class of ’99) and a trailblazing leader whose career spans global giants like Heinz, Lego, and Fonterra.Luo shares her remarkable journey from Wuhan to the world stage, navigating the Asian financial crisis, pivoting industries, and building a dynamic board portfolio. With deep experience in both B2B and B2C, she reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped her path: the power of democratic decision-making, handling conflict with clarity, and the importance of assembling and inspiring high-performing teams.From career inflection points to personal milestones, Luo’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and impact. What does it really take to lead with purpose across borders and industries? Tune in to find out.

In conversation with IMD's Jean-François Manzoni, Novonesis CEO Ester Baiget discusses how the Danish biosolutions powerhouse uses advanced tech and its ‘library of strengths’ to transform food production and laundry processes.Novonesis is rapidly becoming the world leader in the field of biosolutions. By leveraging the power of microbiology with science, it is increasingly transforming the way the world produces, consumes, and lives.  Born from the 2024 merger of enzyme and cultures specialists, Novonesis has integrated complex technologies and navigated regulatory roadblocks. But blending two corporate cultures requires more than science alone. For CEO Ester Baiget, the key is leadership rooted in humility, transparency, and a relentless focus on sustainable growth.

The energy transition isn't coming. It's already here. From boardrooms to trading floors, from tech labs to oil rigs, the shift toward clean energy is reshaping how business gets done. On "Inside the Transition," hosts Julia Binder and Knut Haanaes are bringing you conversations with the people at the front line of this historic shift of the energy transition. This week, Knut and Julia are joined by Paul Watkinson, a seasoned climate negotiator who enabled the adoption of the 2015 Paris Agreement. Just weeks before COP 30 in Brazil, they discuss the current state of global climate efforts and the need to overcome domestic political, social, and financial barriers to decarbonization. The conversation delves into the uneven pace of the energy transition, the pivotal but complex role of China in clean tech, Europe's regulatory challenges, and the essential need for a "just transition" to build public support.  

Mike Wade and Amit Joshi welcome their colleague José Parra Moyano, Professor of Digital Strategy at IMD and contributor to their book GAIN. Jose shares his perspective on how Generative AI is not just an efficiency tool but a powerful enabler for non-technical business leaders. The conversation explores how Gen AI democratises data analytics, enabling managers to reduce uncertainty and make informed decisions without needing to code. They discuss the shift from using AI for cost savings to driving innovation, the evolving role of data science experts, and practical advice for listeners on how to leverage these tools to gain a competitive advantage.

In this episode of Mike and Amit Talk Tech, on the IMD Podcast network, our hosts discuss the transformative role of generative AI in supply chains. Joining the show is Professor Carlos Cordon, an IMD expert with over 30 years of experience in technology and strategy. Cordon reflects on his journey from the world of IT leadership to academia and explains why the supply chain remains both one of the most complex and most critical engines of modern business.The discussion examines why early experiments with generative AI in supply chain operations led to disappointment and how the rapid evolution of tools like Microsoft Copilot and DeepSeek has since transformed the landscape. From Excel spreadsheets to enterprise systems, Cordon explains how AI is now beginning to enhance accuracy, unlock deeper analysis, and make supply chain management more adaptive in a volatile geopolitical environment.

In this episode of the CEO Dialogue series, Jean-François Manzoni speaks with Morten Wierod, President and CEO of ABB, about how one of the world’s great engineering companies is transforming itself for the road ahead.With 110,000 employees, 170 factories, and more than $30 billion in annual revenues, ABB has long been central to electrification, automation, and industrial innovation.Now, under Wierod’s leadership, the company is driving a “leaner and cleaner” mission that connects competitiveness with sustainability.

On the IMD Podcast network, Mike Wade and Amit Joshi speak about the future of health, with Achim Plueckebaum, a contributor to their latest book GAIN.As a senior executive with decades of experience in the life sciences industry, Plueckebaum believes AI will have a transformative impact on medicine, pharmacology, and patient care. He emphasizes the importance of data privacy, ethical considerations, and the need for AI to serve patients effectively.Plueckebaum predicts significant AI-driven drug innovations within the decade, and even the discovery of entirely new treatments. From synthetic biology to personalized medicines, healthcare is set to change in a big way.

IMD Dean of Faculty and Research Stefan Michel sits down with Amar Bhidé - Emeritus Professor at Tufts University, and a founding member of the Center on Capitalism and Society at Columbia. Drawing on insights from his latest book, Uncertainty and Enterprise: Venturing Beyond the Known, Amar unpacks the vital difference between risk and uncertainty, why this matters for entrepreneurs, and how imagination shapes decision-making in business and innovation.In today’s business environment, true visionaries rely on contextual judgment rather than just statistical models. And though the evolution of AI will bring many opportunities, understanding its pitfalls remains key to success. Amar discusses these issues and the surprising role that routines play in enabling creativity and collaboration.

In this I by IMD podcast, Rohit Jawa, the former CEO of Hindustan Unilever, outlines how he is reshaping the company’s strategy to meet the evolving needs of India’s growing middle class, leveraging digital transformation, talent development, and a future-focused growth agenda. In conversation with IMD’s Jean-François Manzoni, Jawa explains how he is future-proofing the Indian consumer goods giant to take advantage of the nation’s rapidly expanding middle class. For nearly a century, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has been flourishing in the Indian subcontinent, growing in tandem with the nation. As India’s largest consumer goods company, the maker of Lux soap, Surf Excel laundry detergent, and Lipton tea has become deeply embedded in the country’s economic and cultural fabric, serving nine out of 10 Indian households and earning its place as the “crown jewel” in Unilever’s global portfolio. India is Unilever’s second-largest market after the US, contributing around 10% of the parent company’s turnover. While HUL draws on Unilever’s global R&D and brand strength, it has also become an exporter of talent and innovation, helping shape success in other markets.  Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at what drives the company’s success. 

In this I by IMD podcast, host Michael Watkins, Professor of Leadership and Organizational Change, sits down with executive coach Brenda Steinberg to discuss a common challenge: the "post-summer blues."They reframe this experience not as a slump but as a transition and discuss the importance of acknowledging and processing the seasonal change. For many, returning to work triggers a “survival mode” attitude. Watkins and Steinberg say it's common to feel a sense of loss or "grief" for the holiday break and to fear returning to the "go-go-go" office dynamic. The show provides practical advice for leaders, including the need to create space for team members to reflect on what they learned about themselves over the summer and what their new priorities are. They also delve into the strategic importance of managing one’s energy, a core tenet of leadership, and how personal reflection can be a catalyst for meaningful professional change. 

In this episode of Mike and Amit Talk Tech from the IMD Podcast Network, hosts Mike Wade and Amit Joshi speak with Tomoko Yokoi, Senior Researcher at IMD, about one of AI’s fastest-growing frontiers — Edge AI. Drawing on over 20 years of experience in B2B and B2C industries, Tomoko explains what Edge AI is, why it matters, and how it could reshape both consumer and business applications in the coming decade. The discussion unpacks how running AI directly on local devices brings speed, bandwidth savings, and potential privacy benefits, while also creating new opportunities for non-traditional AI players like telecoms companies and hardware producers. Tomoko also explores the likely rise of hybrid AI models that blend cloud and edge capabilities, and the competitive shake-up this could trigger in the AI ecosystem. From healthcare wearables to next-generation smartphones, mining equipment and future 6G services, this conversation dives deep into the technical, strategic, and regulatory implications AI “at the edge.” 

What it means to be “working-age” is changing, and so too are the ways in which people look at their careers. The traditional “three-stage” life is giving way to a “multi-stage” life, and businesses that fail to adapt to this new reality are in danger of being left behind.In this special episode of the IMD Podcast Network, we bring together two of the world’s most influential thinkers to discuss the future of work and leadership. Host Andrew Sharman, Adjunct Professor of Risk, Resilience and Safety Culture at IMD and author of Who Cares Wins, is joined by the globally renowned author Lynda Gratton to explore the profound implications of her book, The 100-Year Life.Lynda and Andrew dive into what it means to live and work for longer. They discuss why leadership must evolve to accommodate ageing populations,” the challenge of transforming organisations to support multi-stage careers, and how “care” is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity. They tackle tough questions, like how leaders should balance empathy with productivity, and outline the importance of “unlearning” old habits.

Poul Weihrauch explains how family ownership gives him the opportunity to prioritize purpose alongside profit.In an era where CEOs are under relentless pressure to deliver short-term gains while also addressing long-term challenges like sustainability, Poul Weihrauch considers himself fortunate. As the CEO of Mars – the 114-year-old, family-owned confectionery and pet care giant – he operates with a rare advantage: time.“We like to say that we act in generations, not in quarters,” says Weihrauch, who joined the firm 25 years ago and steadily rose through the ranks.Thanks to the Mars family’s long-term outlook and the company’s practice of reinvesting over 90% of its profits annually, Weihrauch has the freedom to prioritize lasting impact over short-term wins. The company evaluates success through four “compass quarters”: strong financial performance, quality growth, positive societal impact, and trusted partners. Notably, 40% of the long term compensation of Mars’ top 2,000 leaders, including Weihrauch, is tied to non-financial goals, an unusual commitment for a company of this scale in a corporate world still dominated by quarterly earnings targets.

AI is a double-edged sword for the environment. Its growth requires masses of energy, water, and rare earth metals. The LLMs of tomorrow may even require the world to bring old power plants, powered by fossil fuels, back online. On the other hand, AI has the potential to accelerate sustainable transformation by providing innovative approaches to energy production and consumption. So, is AI a groundbreaking innovation or an environmental burden? Might it one day save our planet? Today on the IMD podcast network, we're bringing you an episode of Mike and Amit Talk Tech, in which our hosts discuss AI and sustainability with Julia Binder, Professor of Sustainable Innovation and Business Transformation at IMD. To find out more about Mike Wade & Amit Joshi's latest book, "Gain: Demystifying Gen AI for Office and Home", visit the IMD website here or buy it directly from Amazon. 

What got you here won’t get you there. But that’s not all, says Kevin O’Brien, CEO of Gammon Construction in conversation with Professor Ric Roi. You’re also going to need to really unpack the detail of your new brief, marshal the data to spot the opportunities, figure out how to unlock future potential, and bring everyone with you on the journey. 

Richard Baldwin delves into the Trump administration, and what to glean from months of economic madness. Looking ahead, Richard discussed how trade and tariffs will directly impact businesses, from small enterprises to large corporations, and what business leaders can do to mitigate risk potential regional variations and sector-specific impacts. 

Historian-turned-business-professor Martin Gutmann talks to IMD’s Howard Yu about busting the “hero” myth, how Churchill really won WWII, and the silent strategist who conquered both poles while the flashy explorers froze. Along the way he reveals humility as the ultimate power-skill and hands leaders a playbook for quietly, predictably winning. 

Richard Edelman, CEO of the communications firm Edelman, explores in a conversation with Cynthia Hansen, Managing Director of Adecco Group’s Innovation Foundation, why so many people are dissatisfied with authority and institutions.

This interview with Ruchita Sinha, partner at AV8 Ventures, explores her journey from science to venture capital and her approach to early-stage investing. She discusses AV8’s focus on AI-driven innovation in healthcare, enterprise tech, and financial services, and shares insights on evaluating founders, what distinguishes a good company builder, navigating tough situations, and making impactful investment decisions beyond just picking winners.

Leaders are under pressure to project certainty and to know all the answers. In this interview podcast, Julie Linn Teigland, a Managing Partner at EY, tells IMD’s Howard Yu why it’s better to admit you’re unsure and collaborate to find a solution.*****Read our magazine, I by IMD, here: https://www.imd.org/ibyimd/Discover IMD's leadership programmes here: https://www.imd.org/leadership-programs

Didier Cossin discusses the latest edition of his book "High Performance Boards," a comprehensive guide to transforming boards and achieving best-practice governance in any organisation.****Didier Cossin is Chaired Professor of Governance and Finance at IMD, and Founder and Director of the IMD Global Board Center. He works with owners, boards, and senior leaders to help them improve organizational performance through best-in-class governance and decision-making. He also holds the UBS Chair in Banking and Finance.Read our magazine, I by IMD, here.Discover IMD's leadership programmes here.

Michael Watkins, Professor of Leadership and Organizational Change and author of the international bestseller The First 90 Days, speaks to IMD President David Bach about how he has found the transition to his new role.Also available as a video on imd.org here****David Bach began his term as IMD President in September 2024,  and is focused on making IMD the world’s most impactful business school. Together with his leadership team and the entire IMD community, he is working to broaden and deepen IMD’s global impact through learning innovation, excellence in degree- and executive programs, and applied thought leadership.

Join this IMD Founder Series talk with François Randin, a trailblazer in electric mobility, as he shares his experience as a pioneer in the EV marketplace.  Randin was an early believer in the demand for Electric Vehicles and decided his entry point was charging stations, in 2009.  Was that too early?  How did he make it to two successful exits in 2021 and 2023?  What went wrong and what went right?  With his passion for cutting-edge product design and large charging network architecture, he ultimately founded and built two profitable companies (‘Green Motion’ and ‘evpass’), navigating M&A and crucial fundraising over his 14-year journey in the energy transition sector. The talk was held on campus at IMD and recorded live. This fireside chat is hosted by Ian Charles Stewart, co-founder of WiReD Magazine and IMD Executive in Residence.*****Ian Charles Stewart is Chairman of the WheelsPlusWings Foundation, is a Trustee of the International Institute for Sustainable Development in Canada. Stewart is also an investor in and advisor to startups in the FinTech and Media sectors. Stewart was the Co-Founder of WiReD Magazine and Founder and CEO of Aztec Internet (responsible for BBC News Online and FT.com). 

Hamilton Mann, a top executive at European defense group Thales tells Michael Wade why creating objectives that take people out of their comfort zones is vital to driving collaboration and transformation at scale. *****Read our magazine, I by IMD, here.Discover IMD's leadership programmes here.

Jason Price, Founder and Chairman of the Board at NXTHVN, tells David Bach about the national arts model he has inaugurated which empowers artists, curators, and the community through education and access to a vibrant ecosystem.*****Read our magazine, I by IMD, here.Discover IMD's leadership programmes here.

The boundary between the physical and digital worlds is dissolving, says Joseph Bradley, CEO of TONOMUS, a world-leading technology enterprise powering the world’s first ecosystem of cognitive technologies at NEOM in Saudi Arabia. Harnessing the power of data, while addressing the risks, will be key to an enhanced integrated future.*****Read our magazine, I by IMD, here.Discover IMD's leadership programmes here.

Long treated as a photo opportunity for the leaders of Western democracies, the G7 has had a new lease of life ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. With so many G20 members at each other’s throats, the G7  has proved to be a useful vehicle to align against military aggression and the economic threats to Western business and technological primacy.At this weekend’s Summit, G7 leaders will issue a stinging critique of China’s trade practices, following the announcement of new EV tariffs levied by the European Commission on Wednesday. Simon Evenett, Ana Elena Sancho Calvino, and Fernando Martín Espejo from the St. Gallen Endowment for Prosperity Through Trade join IMD to discuss them.****Simon J. Evenett is currently a Professor of Economics at the University of St. Gallen and on 1 August 2024 will join the Faculty at IMD. He is also  Co-Chair of the WEF’s Global Council on Trade & Investment and the Founder of the St. Gallen Endowment for Prosperity Through Trade, home of two of the leading independent monitors of how governments shape international business.Elena Sancho is Associate Director at Global Trade Alert, one of St Gallen’s influential initiatives that provides unbiased information about international policy developments. Fernando Martín Head of Analytics at Global Trade Alert.

Chris Tung is President of Strategic Development at Alibaba Group, a Chinese multinational specializing in e-commerce, retail, and technology. He tells IMD's Amit Joshi how the company is integrating AI to optimize...--Read our magazine, I by IMD, here.Discover IMD's leadership programmes here.

Morra Aarons-Mele, author and host of the Anxious Achiever podcast, discusses the strategies to help turn anxiety into a leadership superpower.--Read our new magazine, I by IMD, here.Discover IMD's leadership programmes here.

Sophie Bacq speaks to António Calçada, Executive Managing Director of the Repsol Foundation, on how the model of corporate philanthropy is shifting from charitable giving towards investing in entrepreneurial ventures that can create positive social and environmental impact.--Read our new magazine, I by IMD, here.Discover IMD's leadership programmes here.

Alexa Firmenich is one of a new wave of philanthropists seeking to transform the way societies operate through purpose-led, professional interventions. In this interview, Peter Vogel explores how philanthropy has shifted from traditional charitable giving to a bolder vision. -------------Read our new magazine, I by IMD, here.Discover IMD's leadership programmes here.

For too long, citizens of countries blessed with stable institutions have taken democracy and freedom for granted, the Head of the Center for Civil Liberties tells Professor Niccolò Pisani.--Read our new magazine, I by IMD, here.Discover IMD's leadership programmes here.

Jay Mehta, owner of the Metha Group, sits down with Misiek Piskorski Dean of IMD Asia and Oceania.--Read our new magazine, I by IMD, here.Discover IMD's leadership programmes here.