About Prof.
Prof. Steven Poelmans, Ph.D. is a globally recognized expert in neuroleadership and organizational neuroscience, leveraging brain science to enhance leadership and employee wellbeing as a distinguished faculty member of the Best Practice Institute.
Who is Prof. Steven Poelmans, Ph.D?
Prof. Steven Poelmans, Ph.D. is a Professor of Leadership and Organizational Neuroscience at Antwerp Management School (AMS), where he leads the Personal & Academic Development Track in the Executive PhD program. Based in Belgium, he is a leading figure in applying neuroscientific principles to enhance leadership effectiveness, decision-making, and organizational performance. His work is recognized internationally for its practical application in complex business environments.
He is also a Visiting Professor at the BMI Executive Institute and an expert faculty member with the Best Practice Institute, contributing his insights on the intersection of brain science and workplace dynamics. Prof. Poelmans' research and methodologies address critical challenges faced by global executives, such as managing stress, fostering resilience, and optimizing cognitive functions, thereby driving the principles of a Most Loved Workplace®.
Quick facts about Prof. Steven Poelmans, Ph.D
| | |---|---| | Role | Professor of Leadership and Organizational Neuroscience | | Company | Antwerp Management School | | Expertise | Neuroleadership, Organizational Neuroscience, Employee Wellbeing, Brain Resilience, Decision-Making Under Stress | | Notable for | Founder of NeuroTrainingLab™; pioneering research on neurobiological mechanisms of brain resilience and decision-making under stress; authoring multiple books and peer-reviewed articles. | | BPI affiliation | Expert Faculty member |
What is Prof. Steven Poelmans, Ph.D known for?
- NeuroTrainingLab™: Developed and founded this neuroscience-based leadership development methodology, which assesses competencies through neurophysiological indicators. It helps leaders understand and optimize their brain's response to stress and decision-making.
- Pioneering Neuroleadership Research: Recognized as one of Europe’s foremost researchers in neuroleadership, exploring the neurobiological mechanisms behind employee wellbeing, productivity, and leadership under pressure.
- Expert Consulting: Advises global executives from leading companies such as Google, Nike, Danone, Pfizer, Deutsche Bank, Novartis, and the European Investment Bank on harnessing neuroscience for improved decision-making, emotional intelligence, and cognitive resilience.
- Authorship and Publications: Author of "Paradoxes of Leadership. Neuroscience-based Leadership for the Information Age" and "The BrainBalance. Taking care of Yourself with the Brain in Mind." He has also edited five academic books and published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters.
- Work-Family Integration Expertise: Recognized as a Top 50 Overall Contributor by the Work-Family Researchers Network for his significant contributions to work and family research.
What is Prof. Steven Poelmans, Ph.D's background and experience?
Prof. Poelmans brings over two decades of extensive academic and practical experience to his field. He holds a Ph.D. in Management/Organizational Behavior from IESE Business School/University of Navarra, granted Summa Cum Laude. His academic foundation also includes an M.A. in Organizational Psychology and an M.A. in Marketing Management, alongside a Postgraduate degree in Neuroscience of Leadership.
Before his tenure at Antwerp Management School, Prof. Poelmans served as a professor at EADA Business School from 2011 to 2017, where he directed and taught leadership programs. He was also a professor at IESE Business School, where he co-founded and served as Academic Director of the International Centre of Work and Family (ICWF). His teaching experience spans organizational behavior, managerial communication, cross-cultural management, and coaching across seven business schools on three continents, including prominent institutions in Europe, Africa, and South America.
His practical experience includes coaching over 250 executives from more than 30 nationalities, helping them navigate complex organizational challenges using neuroscientific principles. He is also a founding member of the European Academy of Management, further cementing his influence in the academic and professional spheres.
What topics does Prof. Steven Poelmans, Ph.D speak and write about?
Prof. Poelmans' speaking engagements and publications deeply explore the convergence of neuroscience and organizational behavior. He frequently addresses topics such as neuroleadership, toxic leadership, network leadership, and paradox theory. A core focus of his work is employee wellbeing, encompassing stress management, time management, work-life balance, and fostering adaptability and resilience within high-performance teams.
His research also delves into the neurobiological mechanisms of brain resilience, explaining how leaders can make better decisions under stress and strengthen their emotional and cognitive resilience. He emphasizes that understanding brain reactions can transform stress from an obstacle into a valuable signal for direction, allowing for a "pause for wisdom" instead of impulsive decisions. His insights are particularly relevant for organizations striving to create a nourishing environment for a Most Loved Workplace®.
How does Prof. Steven Poelmans, Ph.D contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
As an expert faculty member with the Best Practice Institute, Prof. Steven Poelmans, Ph.D. shares his invaluable knowledge on neuroleadership and organizational neuroscience. His expertise directly aligns with BPI's mission to identify and disseminate best practices in leadership, talent development, and organizational effectiveness. He provides frameworks and actionable strategies that empower leaders to foster environments where employees thrive, directly supporting the principles of a Most Loved Workplace®.
Prof. Poelmans' contributions help BPI members understand the intricate connections between brain function, leadership behavior, and organizational outcomes. By bridging the gap between cutting-edge neuroscience and practical leadership challenges, he equips executives with the tools to enhance decision-making, manage stress more effectively, and cultivate resilient, high-performing teams, thereby advancing the SPARK Model for organizational excellence.
Where can you learn more from Prof. Steven Poelmans, Ph.D?
For those interested in delving deeper into neuroleadership and its applications, Prof. Steven Poelmans, Ph.D. regularly shares his insights through various platforms. Information about his work, including his NeuroTrainingLab™ and his views on making decisions under stress, can be found through his affiliations with Antwerp Management School and the BMI Executive Institute. His contributions to the Best Practice Institute offer further opportunities to explore his expertise and learn how to apply neuroscientific principles to leadership and organizational development.