“This research proposal is kind of intriguing.”
That was the feedback from one of my first academic conversations. After more than 20 years in executive leadership roles at Nokia, XING, and DERTOUR Group, I never expected my PhD application to generate such instant curiosity.
What sparked the attention? A research proposal exploring how the cognitive skills developed through musical performance might enhance strategic thinking for executives in digital B2C business environments. It turns out, this is a genuine gap in the management literature—one that bridges artistic training with executive leadership function.
But this research isn’t about comparing symphonies to org charts. It goes far beyond metaphor. I’m building a scientifically rigorous framework to explore how the brain processes honed through artistic mastery—like anticipatory thinking, structured improvisation, and emotional pattern recognition—can transfer into complex business leadership.
Evidence-Based Leadership Research for Modern Challenges
Academics across Europe immediately saw the relevance. In VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) environments, traditional leadership models often fall short. Artists, however, are trained to navigate uncertainty, ambiguity, and creative constraints every day. And yet, empirical studies exploring this link remain rare.
That’s where I come in. With a background that combines classical guitar performance, choir conducting, a Management of Cultural Affairs degree, and an Executive MBA from HEC Paris—with decades in senior executive leadership roles—I’ve lived both worlds. Now, through doctoral research, I’m systematically investigating what many of us have sensed intuitively for years.
Research-Backed Leadership Development Methodology
My research methodology is evolving, but one principle is clear: it must be as credible in peer-reviewed journals as it is useful in executive boardrooms. That means mixed-method research, cognitive analysis, and an eye toward actionable frameworks for evidence-based leadership.
Starting in October 2025 at Antwerp Management School, my Executive PhD will bridge these two domains—academia and leadership—in an unprecedented way. And it won’t stay locked in theory. My parallel venture, The Leadership Artist, launches to put insights into practice in real organisations through strategic consulting and executive coaching.
Curious about how artistic thinking could reshape leadership education, development, or strategy? Let’s connect. The intersection of research-backed leadership development and real-world impact is where the music begins.