https://bernhardkerres.com/thinking/ Essays, working papers, podcasts and videos on leadership, coaching, AI, and music. en https://bernhardkerres.com/read/the-fifth-stage-why-the-best-teams-need-more-than-safety/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/the-fifth-stage-why-the-best-teams-need-more-than-safety/ Sun, 19 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Psychological safety gets teams functioning. The fifth stage, safe discomfort, is what separates high performers from the rest. Read the full essay. Bernhard Kerres Leadership Teams https://bernhardkerres.com/read/you-do-not-need-to-like-your-team/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/you-do-not-need-to-like-your-team/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A study of professional string quartets reveals why the best teams are not built on friendship, and what they are built on instead. By Bernhard Kerres. Bernhard Kerres Leadership https://bernhardkerres.com/read/why-i-built-an-ai-platform-after-three-decades-of-leadership-training/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/why-i-built-an-ai-platform-after-three-decades-of-leadership-training/ Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT In 1997, on my first training course, we played Two Truths and One Lie. I remember the icebreaker. I remember almost nothing else. That is the problem. Bernhard Kerres https://bernhardkerres.com/read/flying-the-pirates-flag-for-innovation/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/flying-the-pirates-flag-for-innovation/ Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Why corporate innovation needs pirates — and how to build the conditions Apple, Lockheed, and Xerox used to keep their best work alive. Bernhard Kerres innovation leadership https://bernhardkerres.com/read/beyond-the-screen/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/beyond-the-screen/ Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT A working paper on the pedagogical failure of corporate LMS platforms and a six-principle architecture for learning systems built around how adults actually learn. Bernhard Kerres Leadership AI Programs https://bernhardkerres.com/read/performing-leadership/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/performing-leadership/ Sun, 11 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT How orchestra conductors create great performance in days with people they have never met — and the Rehearsal Gap that holds CEOs back. Bernhard Kerres Leadership https://bernhardkerres.com/read/on-motivation-daniel-pink-drive/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/on-motivation-daniel-pink-drive/ Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT No more carrot and stick. But autonomy, mastery, and purpose. A coach's perspective on Daniel Pink's book, Drive. Bernhard Kerres https://bernhardkerres.com/read/leadership-is-creating-resonance/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/leadership-is-creating-resonance/ Sun, 24 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT Listening is not enough — even active listening is not enough. What matters in leadership is creating the space for resonance. Bernhard Kerres Leadership https://bernhardkerres.com/read/the-superpower-of-listening/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/the-superpower-of-listening/ Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT Most business conversations are a medieval joust. Real listening means dismounting from the armored horse — and discovering you are stronger. Bernhard Kerres leadership coaching https://bernhardkerres.com/read/embrace-curiosity/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/embrace-curiosity/ Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT GROW drives clients toward action but misses curiosity. Bernhard Kerres on why the best coaching sometimes asks what will you explore, not what will you do. Bernhard Kerres Coaching https://bernhardkerres.com/read/what-if/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/what-if/ Sun, 01 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMT One simple coaching question can free clients from limiting beliefs. Bernhard Kerres on the power of asking what if, and why the sequence matters. Bernhard Kerres Coaching Career Management https://bernhardkerres.com/read/an-introduction-to-musical-group-coaching/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/an-introduction-to-musical-group-coaching/ Sat, 01 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT A ninety-minute coaching format that uses a live musician to build emotional connection in groups and teams. Bernhard Kerres on how it works. Bernhard Kerres Coaching Teams https://bernhardkerres.com/read/the-complexity-of-family-businesses/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/the-complexity-of-family-businesses/ Thu, 28 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMT Family businesses run on family ties, ownership, governance, and management. A four-circle framework extending the canonical Tagiuri–Davis model. Bernhard Kerres family business governance leadership Leadership https://bernhardkerres.com/read/you-are-great/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/you-are-great/ Tue, 08 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT Why top musicians and senior executives both struggle with Imposter Syndrome — and the question that breaks them out of the pool of greatness. Bernhard Kerres leadership coaching classical music https://bernhardkerres.com/read/move-one-position-at-a-time/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/move-one-position-at-a-time/ Mon, 23 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT Mountain climbers move one hand or foot at a time, leaving three positions secure. The same rule applies to careers, leadership transitions, and change. Bernhard Kerres change management leadership Career Management https://bernhardkerres.com/read/knowledge-work-is-not-where-you-sit/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/knowledge-work-is-not-where-you-sit/ Tue, 17 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT Knowledge-work productivity depends on purpose, social support, responsibility, and trust — not on whether you can see the person doing the work. Bernhard Kerres leadership productivity remote work Career Management Leadership https://bernhardkerres.com/read/konnektoren-bilden/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/konnektoren-bilden/ Wed, 12 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT Bernhard Kerres weiß, was es bedeutet, im Scheinwerferlicht zu stehen: Einst Opernsänger, vollzog er einen Wandel und wurde CEO. Nun fordert der Berater das „Ende von Führungskräften“ und ein Umdenken. Mehr auf Forbes.at Bernhard Kerres https://bernhardkerres.com/read/beating-ai-with-mozart/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/beating-ai-with-mozart/ Fri, 22 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT A keynote on where AI excels, where it fails, and why human creativity and connection stay out of its reach. Bernhard Kerres, with live music. Bernhard Kerres Leadership AI https://bernhardkerres.com/read/we-need-a-classical-music-incubator/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/we-need-a-classical-music-incubator/ Sat, 22 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT Classical music is in need of an incubator to drive innovation. What is known in tech has found its way into the arts world but not into classical music. Bernhard Kerres https://bernhardkerres.com/read/marketing-without-money/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/marketing-without-money/ Wed, 24 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT Marketing in the 21st Century requires 3 Cs: Content, Community and Conversation. With the 3 Cs marketing without (almost) any money becomes possible. Bernhard Kerres Music https://bernhardkerres.com/read/pirates-for-classical-music/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/pirates-for-classical-music/ Wed, 24 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT Classical music has world-class content and engaged audiences. What it lacks is innovation in everything around the music — and pirates to bring it in. Bernhard Kerres classical music innovation https://bernhardkerres.com/read/stop-killing-classical-music/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/stop-killing-classical-music/ Thu, 14 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT Classical music is more appreciated then over before. Even if the dinosaurs of the industry complain about aging audiences and declining interest. Bernhard Kerres https://bernhardkerres.com/read/music-is-the-universal-language/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/music-is-the-universal-language/ Sat, 28 Sep 2013 00:00:00 GMT A TEDxSalzburg talk on why making music, not just hearing it, changes how we think and who we become. Bernhard Kerres on music, the brain, and society. Bernhard Kerres Music https://bernhardkerres.com/read/fine-tuning-talent/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/fine-tuning-talent/ Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Managing talent from the individual's side, not the organization's. Bernhard Kerres on what top musicians reveal about attracting and keeping real talent. Bernhard Kerres Leadership https://bernhardkerres.com/read/performing-leadership-lessons-from-great-conductors/ https://bernhardkerres.com/read/performing-leadership-lessons-from-great-conductors/ Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Orchestra conductors build high-performing teams in just days. Bernhard Kerres on what their trust, respect, and role clarity teach business leaders. Bernhard Kerres Leadership