Executive coaches face an urgent problem with senior executive stress. Suicide and burnout at the top level are increasing. We explore in our research the underlying reasons for high stress levels and how to break the taboo of executive stress.
After a brief period of excitement and the hope of a little more normality, we have been pulled straight back into the struggles of making it through the pandemic once again. But why does it feel different this time? What is happening to make so many of us feel drained and demotivated? Surely with spring around the corner, vaccinations being rolled out, and some light at the end of the tunnel, we should be feeling more upbeat? Dr. Caroline Rook and Claire Finch explore why that may not be the case…
KDVI Writer's Colony, Feb 2021
Blogs
Organisations have a responsibility towards their staff.
INSEAD Knowledge, Oct 2020
Blogs
Les top managers préféreront une communication honnête et l'empathie.
Les vrais leaders veillent à ce que leur entreprise sorte de la crise revigorée et prête à affronter l'avenir. Pour faire partie des entreprises qui émergent lorsque les conditions économiques seront un peu meilleures, sept stades s'imposent.
Les Echos Executives, Aug 2020
Blogs
In the Covid-19 crisis digital communication technologies (DCTs) are our saviour. They enable us to continue to work remotely and not to fall into complete social isolation despite physical distancing measures. Indeed, many have now rekindled lost friendships and thanks to DCTs, family, friends and colleagues are just one click away. But are our digital devices really always our friend during this stressful time?
Caroline Rook, KDVI Research Associate & Lecturer in Leadership at Henley Business School, May 2020
Blogs
Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic will be plentiful, profound, and possibly surprising. Daily, we hear stories fraught with pain, suffering and fear. At the same time, the best of humanity manifests as first responders, healthcare workers, neighbours, and strangers serve one another with compassion and heroic acts of kindness.
KDVI Writer's Colony, Apr 2020
Blogs
Continuing on from Mental Health at Work, Part 1: Should we open pandora’s box?, here Toya Lorch shares some practical ideas on how to translate hope into action, highlighting the impact that leaders and managers can have on mental health in the workplace.
KDVI Writer's Colony, Jul 2019
Blogs
The statistics about the incidences of mental health issues in the workplace are worrying. In this two-part blog, Toya Lorch, explores how to successfully address mental health issues in the workplace. In Part One, she introduces a case that illustrates this and in Part Two she outlines the importance of reframing dilemmas as strategic priorities and business cases in order to create healthy workplaces.
KDVI Writer's Colony, Jul 2019
Blogs
"Down the rabbit hole of shame"
Shame is part of the human experience. Keeping your feelings of shame in perspective can relieve you of a harmful tendency to self-blame, and, eventually, make peace with your shadow side. Knowing that you are good enough, worthwhile, and deserving of love and acceptance is essential for building resilience and living your most authentic life.
HBR, Jun 2017
Blogs
Inspired by aviation and medical best practices for handling crises, we set out to develop a simple yet robust protocol that could help executives anticipate cases of potential burnout. Rather than being a test, survey, or assessment tool, the Stress-APGAR provides a set of guidelines that help executives think about and articulate factors that may lead to burnout.
HBR, Apr 2017
Blogs
"Obsession for digital technology"
INSEAD Knowledge, Oct 2016
Blogs
"Personailty and techno-stress"
INSEAD Knowledge, May 2016
Blogs
"Assessing psychological risk factors of leaders"
This blog presents a quick assessment of psychological risk factors for high performing individuals.
INSEAD Knowledge, Apr 2015
Blogs
"Slacking off is a great way to nurture our imagination"
In our current 24/7 society, introspection and reflection have become lost arts. Instead, we are at risk of becoming victims of information and work overload. In this article, the authors argue that slacking off—or a conscious effort to do nothing—is a great way to induce states of mind that nurture our imagination.
European Financial Reivew, Dec 2014
Articles
"Are you suffering from the wealth fatigue syndrome?"
This blog entry explores the wealth fatigue syndrome. Instead, one should invest in enduring things that matter.
INSEAD Knowledge, Dec 2014
Blogs
"How to deal with paradoxes"
This blog entry deals with the dilemma of living in a world of inevitable anxiety which does not always makes sense and how to listen to that reflexive inner voice.
Simon Sijbrands, Oct 2014
Blogs
"In search of introspection and reflection"
INSEAD Knowledge, Jun 2014
Blogs
"Do less instead of doing too much"
This blog entry with the Harvard Business Review argues that the biggest problem we have in contemporary society is not that we do too little but that we try to do too much.
Harvard Business Review, Dec 2013
Blogs
"Forgiveness as a business tool"
This blog entry with the Harvard Business Review explores how costly it is to hold on to grudges and how an unforgiving attitude keeps people from moving forward.
Harvard Business Review, Dec 2013
Blogs
"C-suite suicide trend"
Swisscom's CEO and Zurich's CFO recently took their own lives. This Fortune Management article quotes Manfred Kets de Vries on this recent trend.
Fortune, Sep 2013
Articles
"Leaders and the art of forgiveness"
The knee-jerk reaction of too many people in leadership positions when they feel wronged is righteous indignation and the urge for revenge. But one factor that sets truly transformational leaders apart from the run-of-the-mill is the ability to forgive - to let feelings of anger, resentment and blame fall away and become something constructive. This article looks at how forgiveness can make for a good business tool.
The National, Abu Dhabi, Jul 2013
Articles
Through coaching work with senior executives, Manfred Kets de Vries explores why many suffer from profound periods of unhappiness despite having external success.
KDVI, Dec 2007
Books
"What role does money play in our lives"
This paper explores the role money plays in our lives.
INSEAD Working Paper, Apr 2006
Working Papers
