Professor Nicola M. Pless is Professor of Management, holds the Chair of Positive Business at the University of South Australia and is Director of the Center for Business Ethics and Responsible Leadership (BERL). She was awarded both her Dr. oec. (PhD) and the Habilitation (Higher Doctorate) from the University of St. Gallen. She holds qualifications and degrees from other prestigious institutions such as Berkeley, Cornell University and INSEAD. She received the Faculty Pioneer Award for Teaching Innovation and Excellence by the Aspen Institute, dubbed the “Oscars of the business school world” by the The Financial Times.
She has served on the faculties of the leading business schools in Europe and the world (ESADE, INSEAD and... Read more
About me
Professor Nicola M. Pless is Professor of Management, holds the Chair of Positive Business at the University of South Australia and is Director of the Center for Business Ethics and Responsible Leadership (BERL). She was awarded both her Dr. oec. (PhD) and the Habilitation (Higher Doctorate) from the University of St. Gallen. She holds qualifications and degrees from other prestigious institutions such as Berkeley, Cornell University and INSEAD. She received the Faculty Pioneer Award for Teaching Innovation and Excellence by the Aspen Institute, dubbed the “Oscars of the business school world” by the The Financial Times.
She has served on the faculties of the leading business schools in Europe and the world (ESADE, INSEAD and the University of St. Gallen). She held the Honorary Jef van Gerwen Chair at the University of Antwerp (2010-11) and is Distinguished Visiting Professor at EBS University in Germany. She is an elected permanent faculty member of Switzerland's University of St. Gallen (2020 FT ranking #7 in Europe).
She has lived in seven countries on three continents and combines her multicultural background with mulitsector business experiences, which she translates into her academic work. She worked for the World Bank Group, is a former Vice President Leadership Development at Credit Suisse and Managing Director of a consulting firm. Through consulting and executive coaching, she has helped individuals and organizations to develop effective and responsible strategies for navigating successfully in a VUCA world and to unleash their leadership potential for positive change in business and society.
She is internationally recognized as a founder of and authority in responsible leadership research and teaching. Her award-winning research in the field of leadership, responsibility and neuroscience has been published in leading academic A* and FT50 journals (e.g. Journal of Management Studies (FT50, A*), Human Resource Management (FT50, A*), Journal of Business Ethics (FT50, A), Academy of Management Learning and Education (A*), Organizational Research Methods (A*), and featured by Harvard Business School and in the international media: Business Week, Forbes, Management Today, El Mundo, La Vanguardia, CEO Magazine, UN PRME etc. Research impact according to Web of Science is as follows: WoS citations: 1429, h-index: 14, NCI 2.89.
Professor Pless' current research focuses on leadership (multi-level and contextual research) and its development, responsible decision making in multicultural and top management teams, and micro foundations of strategy; specifically the relationship between RL and social and economic value creation and the roles of values, empathy and mindfulness within this process. She is also a Principle Investigator in the international research group, ‘The Neuroscience of Leadership’. Her work often occurs in collaboration with business practice and is substantially informed by her senior executive experience.
She has taught courses at BA, MSc, MBA, and PhD level and has been involved in executive programs, such as the Georgetown ESADE Global Executive MBA and Stanford ESADE CSR program. Her innovative "Business in Society" core course was part of ESADE's Master of International Management, which took first place worldwide for CSR and ethics in the Financial Times rankings 2013.
She serves as a Guardian (by invite elect) of the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative (GRLI). GRLI is a foundation of public interest and an AACSB International and EFMD strategic partnership established with the founding support of EFMD and United Nations Global Compact.
Over the past twenty years she has worked with for-profit companies (Credit Suisse, Deutsche Telekom, Dong Energy, Mercedes, PwC, Swarovski, UBS, VW) and with for-purpose organizations such as Gram Vikas (India), Jurlique, The Body Shop, The World Bank.
Her mission is to advance the practice of responsible-global-leadership and its development through research and teaching innovation.
About me
Member, Academy of Management
Member, Academy of International Business
About me
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 08/07/2021 |
Professor Nicola Pless was interviewed by GRLI Executive Director John North on the "Fault lines of leadership: Lessons from the Global Covid-19 crisis", https://responsibility.global/the-fault-lines-of-leadership-lessons-from-the-global-covid-19-crisis-cff68e3eb01f |
| 04/05/2020 |
Prof. Nicola Pless to visit EBS Business School as Distinguished Visiting Professor., https://www.ebs.edu/en/news/prof-nicola-pless-distinguished-visiting-professor |
| 23/03/2020 |
Mindfulness at the Executive Level - University of South Australia, https://primetime.unprme.org/?s=mindfulness |
| 21/09/2018 |
Sustainable Business Examples from Around the World – Australia, Malaysia and Ukraine, https://primetime.unprme.org/2018/09/21/sustainable-business-examples-from-around-the-world-australia-malaysia-and-ukraine/ |
| 24/05/2018 |
GRLI Feature on Nicola Pless , https://grli.org/network/nicola-pless/ |
| 02/05/2018 |
Mindfulness at the Executive Level - UN PRME Interview with Nicola Pless, https://primetime.unprme.org/2018/05/02/mindfulness-at-the-executive-level-university-of-south-australia/ |
| 05/03/2018 |
New approaches to business ethics – University of South Australia, https://primetime.unprme.org/2018/03/05/new-approaches-to-business-ethics-university-of-south-australia/ |
| 16/06/2016 |
Youtube Video Responsible Leadership: What leaders think abut doing the right thing., https://media.unisa.edu.au/Play/14710 |
| 12/06/2015 |
Tapping Brain Waves to Measure Business Sense, http://fortune.com/2015/06/12/brainwaves-abm-neuroscience/ |
| 14/05/2015 |
Live Sciences: Brain waves can identify who the leader of a group is. , https://mashable.com/2015/05/14/leader-brain-waves/ |
| 18/11/2014 |
BBC: Brain training moves from battlefield to boardroom., https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20121024-from-battlefield-to-boardroom |
| 07/10/2013 |
Recognition of Aspen Faculty Pioneer Award Winners and Finalists. Aspen Institute’s Award Ceremony, New York City. , https://www.aspeninstitute.org/videos/recognition-aspen-faculty-pioneer-award-winners-finalists/ |
| 19/09/2013 |
ESADE professor Nicola Pless wins Aspen Institute's Faculty Pioneer Award, http://www.esade.edu/web/eng/about-esade/today/news/viewelement/292381/1/esade-professor-nicola-pless-wins-aspen-institutes-faculty-pioneer-award |
| 18/09/2013 |
Wharton ESADE professors honored with Aspen institute's Faculty Pioneer Award for teaching innovation and excellence, http://www.aspeninstitute.org/news/2013/09/18/wharton-esade-professors-honored-aspen-institute-business-society-program-faculty |
| 03/06/2013 |
The Four Orientations of Responsible Leaders, https://www.ideasforleaders.com/ideas/the-four-orientations-of-responsible-leaders |
| 04/02/2013 |
Gram Vikas: Protecting the right to live with dignity, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EnjpT1ZQNs&list=UU4uUbibFXYv9iRRMRWuIZmQ&index=7 |
| 24/05/2012 |
The Neuroscience of Leadership, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z8VjkkSHc8 |
| 17/05/2012 |
ESADE TV: The Neuroscience of Leadership Project – NEURO Conference. , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOLO-9DufIg |
| 16/05/2012 |
ESADE launches pioneering new research using neuroscience. , https://sciencebusiness.net/news/75740/ESADE-launches-pioneering-research-using-neuroscience |
| 11/05/2012 |
La Vanguardia reports on the first MBA Neuroscience of Leadership project, http://www.lavanguardia.com/ciencia/20120511/54292187489/escaneado-cerebro-estudiantes-mba-para-hallar-atributos-buen-lider.html |
| 02/01/2012 |
La solidaridad incrementa la inteligencia emocional de los directivos., http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2012/01/02/solidaridad/1325504090.html |
| 08/12/2008 |
About me
Doctor of Economics The University of St Gallen
Professor of Management, School of Management, University of South Australia, 2015-present
Member Management Board, Academy of Business in Society, Brussels, 2010-2014
Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences, ESADE Business School, Ramon Llull University, 2009-2015
Visiting Senior Research Fellow and Co-Director: Research Stream "Developing Responsible Leadership in High Performance Organizations" (PwC-INSEAD Initiative), INSEAD, France, 2004-2009
Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Corporate Responsibility, University of St. Gallen, 2005-2009
Research Director, HSG-INSEAD Initiatitve on Responsible Leadership, University of St. Gallen, 2005-2009
Lecturer, Department of Business Administration, University of St. Gallen, 2003-2005
Vice President,Credit Suisse, Zurich, 2001-2004
HR Client Services Generalist, World Bank Group, USA, 2000-2001
Global Assessment and Development Manager, UBS AG, Basel & New York, 1998-2000
Research Associate, Institute of Organizational Psychology, University of St. Gallen, 1992-1998
Research Assistant, Department of Business Administration, University of Bayreuth, Germany, 1989-1990
University research feature: Shaping the modern view of responsible leadership
http://www.unisa.edu.au/research/research-themes/transforming-societies/shaping-the-modern-view-of-responsible-leadership/
Leadership
Leadership in the context of globalization and CSR
Responsible leadership mindset and styles
Leadership development
Neuroscience of leadership
Organizational Behaviour
Decision making in top management teams
Microfoundations of CSR
Empathy, mindfulness and well-being
Strategy and CSR
CSR, culture, character and branding
Social innovation and entrepeneurship
Organizational legitimacy and trust
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Neuroscience of Leadership (Principal Investigator)
Mindfulness, Responsible Leadership, and Decision Making (Principal Investigator)
Research
Research since 2008 is shown below. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2020 |
Open access
1
1
4
|
| 2016 |
Open access
84
69
2
|
| 2012 |
126
112
|
| 2011 |
227
204
|
| 2009 |
Open access
99
91
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
1
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2020 |
|
| 2020 |
|
| 2020 |
Open access
3
|
| 2019 |
Open access
|
| 2019 |
Open access
|
| 2017 |
|
| 2017 |
Open access
|
| 2017 |
Open access
|
| 2014 |
|
| 2014 |
10
3
|
| 2013 |
28
1
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2011 |
3
1
|
| 2009 |
3
|
| 2009 |
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2021 |
3
4
5
|
| 2021 |
Open access
|
| 2021 |
Open access
1
1
2
|
| 2020 |
Open access
1
1
4
|
| 2017 |
Open access
3
3
|
| 2017 |
10
9
|
| 2016 |
Open access
84
69
2
|
| 2014 |
4
|
| 2014 |
55
56
|
| 2012 |
28
27
|
| 2012 |
Open access
57
49
|
| 2012 |
Open access
53
49
1
|
| 2012 |
126
112
|
| 2011 |
Open access
100
95
|
| 2011 |
227
204
|
| 2010 |
Open access
|
| 2009 |
Open access
99
91
|
| 2009 |
36
37
|
| 2008 |
|
| 2008 |
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2013 |
2
|
| 2013 |
2
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2011 |
|
Peer-reviewed Conference Presentations
Milstein, N., Ashkanasy, N. M., Berson, Y., Andrus, J., Wang, D., Balthazard, P. A., Berka, C., Blader, S., Goldstein, A., Gordon, I., Hannah, S., Maak, T., Maja, M., Pless, N., Richardson, T. & Sullivan, D. W. (2020). A biological perspective to leadership and team processes. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2020(1), 17684. https://journals.aom.org/doi/10.5465/AMBPP.2020.17684symposium
Maak, T., & Pless, N.M. 2019. Reflective sense and sensibility: How the philosophy of shared agency may enlighten organizational research. EGOS Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland, July 4-6.
Maak, T., Pless, N.M. & Voegtlin C. 2018. Not Taken by Surprise: How Integrative Responsible Leaders Manage the Contradictions of Political CSR. EGOS Conference, Tallinn, Estonia, July.
Pless, N. M. & Maak, T. 2017. Responsible global leadership development that makes a difference – A study on four leadership development programs. Presented at 33th EGOS Colloquium in Copenhagen, July 6-8, 2017.
Pless, N. M., Maak, T. & Borecka, M. 2017. The call for responsible leadership and new approaches to developing resonant and responsible leaders. Presented at the 24th Annual AAPAE conference (Australian Association of Professional and Applied Ethics), Sydney, June 21-23, 2017.
Pless, N.M., Maak, T. & Murphy, M. B. 2017. Entrepreneurial leadership for social innovation. Presented at the 24th Annual AAPAE conference, Sydney, June 21-23, 2017.
Maak, T. & Pless, N.M. 2016. Leader mindfulness and ethical decision-making. Pesented at the Annual AAPAE conference (Australian Association of Professional and Applied Ethics), Adelaide, June 17, 2016.
Maak, T., Pless, N.M. & Voegtlin C. 2015. CEO Responsible Leadership Styles & the Micro-foundations of Political CSR. Presented at Academy of Management, Vancouver, August 7-11.
Maak, T., Pless, N. M. & Borecka, M. 2014. Developing Responsible Global Leaders: The Rise and Methodology of International Service-Learning Programs. Presented at the Academy of International Business Conference, Vancouver, June 24-27, 2014.
Pless, N. M., Maak, T., Waldman, D. E. & Wang, D. 2014. Responsible Leadership Scale: Construct Development and Testing. Presented at to the 74th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Philadelphia, Aug. 01-05, 2014.
Eisenbeiss, S., Maak, T. & Pless, N. M. 2013. The role of mindfulness in responsible leader decision making. Presented at Vincentian Conference, DePaul University, Chicago, October 17-19, 2013.
Maak, T., Pless, N. M. & Voegtlin, C. 2014. A Multilevel Contingency Model of Responsible CEO Leadership Styles in a Global World. Presented at the 73th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Philadelphia, Aug. 01-05, 2014.
Stikic, M., Berka, C., Waldman, D., Balthazard, P., Pless, N. & Maak, T. 2014. Operational Neuroscience: Enabling Real-World Applications in Team Settings. Proceedings of the 1st Brain Awareness Week 2014 conference: Brain-Computer Interface from Student-to-Student Interface: BCI from SSI, University of Belgrade, Serbia, March 14.
Waldman, D.E. , Wang, D., Stikic, M. Berka, C., Balthazard, P., Richardson, T., Pless, N. & Maak, T. 2013. Emergent Leadership and Team Engagement: An Application of Neuroscience Technology and Methods. Presented at the 73th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Lake Buena Vista, FL, Aug. 09-13, 2013. Included in the Best Paper Proceedings (OB division)
Johnson, R., Berka, C., Waldman, D., Balthazard, P., Tan, V., Giby, R., Pless N., & Maak, T. 2013. Neurophysiological predictors of Team performance. HCI International 2013, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, July 21-26, 2013.
Maja Stikic, Chris Berka, David Waldman, Pierre Balthazard, Pless Nicola, Thomas Maak 2013. Neurophysiological Estimation of Team Psychological Metrics. HCI International 2013, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, July 21-26, 2013.
Maak, T., Pless, N.M., & Murphy, M. 2012. Social Innovation at the Bottom of the Pyramid - The Role of Boundary Spanners in a Novel Global Game. Presented at Strategic Management Society, Singapore, June 7-9, 2012.
Pless, N.M. & Maak, T. 2012. Thinking about Doing the Right Thing – Mapping the Responsibility Mindsets of Leaders. Presented at the 72th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Boston, MA, Aug. 03-07, 2012. Included in the Best Paper Proceedings (SIM division)
Pless, N. M., Murphy, M., & Maak, T. 2012. Leadership, Stakeholder Culture, and Social Innovation. Presented at the 72th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Boston, MA, Aug. 03-07, 2012.
Maak, T. & Pless, N.M. 2012. Can wisdom be learned? Presented at international conference on „Wise management in times of complexity“. CEIBS, China Europe International Business School, Shanghai, May 23-24.
Pless, N.M., Maak, T. & Stahl, G. 2011. Promoting CSR and Sustainable Development Through Service Learning Programs. Presented at the 71th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 12-16, 2011. Winner of the Sage/Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies Best Paper Award for the most significant contribution to advance leadership and organizational studies (MED division)
Pless, N.M, Maak, T. & Stahl, G. 2010. Developing Responsible Global Leaders through Integrated Service Learning – The Ulysses Experience at PricewaterhouseCoopers, paper presentation at the 70th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Montréal, Canada, Aug. 4-11, 2010. Best International Paper Finalist for Carolyn Dexter Award (MED division)
Research
University research feature: Shaping the modern view of responsible leadership
http://www.unisa.edu.au/research/research-themes/transforming-societies/shaping-the-modern-view-of-responsible-leadership/
Leadership
Leadership in the context of globalization and CSR
Responsible leadership mindset and styles
Leadership development
Neuroscience of leadership
Organizational Behaviour
Decision making in top management teams
Microfoundations of CSR
Empathy, mindfulness and well-being
Strategy and CSR
CSR, culture, character and branding
Social innovation and entrepeneurship
Organizational legitimacy and trust
Guardian (by invite elect) of the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative, Brussels, Belgium (since 2020). GRLI is an AACSB International and EFMD strategic partnership established with the founding support of EFMD and United Nations Global Compact
Distinguished Visiting Professor, EBS University, Oestrich-Winkel, Germany (2020)
Editorial Board Member, Society and Business Review (since 2020)
Section Editor, Springer, Journal of Business Ethics (A-Journal, Financial Times 50 list)
Editorial Board Member, Emerald, Advances in Global Leadership
Academic Network Board, Academy of Business in Society, Brussels, Belgium (since 2015)
Board Member, Academy of Business in Society, Brussels, Belgium (2011-2014)
Winner of the Aspen Institute's Faculty Pioneer Award (2013) for teaching innovation and excellence
GLAC Research Award, San Jose State University (2012)
Honorary Jef Van Gerwen Chair, University of Antwerp (2011)
Sage Best Paper Award (2011) for the most significant contribution to advance leadership and organizational studies
AOM Best Paper Award (2011), Academy of Management
AOM, Carolyn Dexter Award Finalist (2010), Academy of Management
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| Advanced Brain Monitoring | UNITED STATES |
| Arizona State University | UNITED STATES |
| California State University | UNITED STATES |
| Dialogarchitekt® | GERMANY |
| Esade Business School | SPAIN |
| Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur | INDIA |
| INSEAD | FRANCE |
| Microsoft Corporation | UNITED STATES |
| Ramon Llull University | SPAIN |
| Rutgers University | UNITED STATES |
| San Jose State University | UNITED STATES |
| St. Bonaventure University | UNITED STATES |
| Swinburne University of Technology | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Navarra | SPAIN |
| University of Oxford | UNITED KINGDOM |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| University of St Gallen | SWITZERLAND |
| University of Sydney | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Tennessee | UNITED STATES |
| University of Tubingen | GERMANY |
| University of Victoria | CANADA |
| University of Zurich | SWITZERLAND |
| Vienna University of Economics and Business | AUSTRIA |
| Western University | CANADA |
| Zurich University of Applied Sciences | SWITZERLAND |
External engagement & recognition
| Engagement/recognition | Year |
|---|---|
Editorial Board MemberAdvances in Global Leadership |
2018 |
Editorial Board MemberAdvances in Global Leadership |
2017 |
MemberAcademy of Management (AOM) |
2017 |
MemberAcademy of International Business (AIB) |
2017 |
Board MemberBoard of Academic Affairs of the MSc in Management, ESADE |
2016 |
Editorial Board MemberAdvances in Global Leadership |
2016 |
Section EditorJournal of Business Ethics, Springer |
2016 |
Board MemberBoard of Academic Affairs of the MSc in Management, ESADE |
2015 |
Editorial Board MemberBusiness and Professional Ethics Journal |
2015 |
Keynote speakerSummer Leadership Symposium on Responsible Leadership, Cass Business School |
2015 |
Section EditorJournal of Business Ethics, Springer |
2015 |
Board MemberBoard of Academic Affairs of the MSc in Management, ESADE |
2014 |
Editorial Board MemberBusiness and Professional Ethics Journal |
2014 |
Management Board MemberAcademy of Business in Society (ABIS) |
2014 |
Section EditorJournal of Business Ethics, Springer |
2014 |
Track Chair on Responsible LeadershipEGOS Conference |
2014 |
Aspen Faculty Pioneer Award, teaching innovation and excellence for the Business-in-SocietyThe Aspen Institute |
2013 |
Best Paper, Emergent Leadership and Team Engagement, An Application of Neuroscience Technology and MethodsAcademy of Management (AOM) |
2013 |
Board MemberBoard of Academic Affairs of the MSc in Management, ESADE |
2013 |
Editorial Board MemberBusiness and Professional Ethics Journal |
2013 |
Keynote speakerGerman Association of University Professors and Lecturers |
2013 |
Management Board MemberAcademy of Business in Society (ABIS) |
2013 |
Section EditorJournal of Business Ethics, Springer |
2013 |
Best Paper, Thinking about doing the right thing, Mapping the responsibility mindsets of leaders.Academy of Management (AOM) |
2012 |
Board MemberBoard of Academic Affairs of the MSc in Management, ESADE |
2012 |
Editorial Board MemberBusiness and Professional Ethics Journal |
2012 |
GLAC award of Global Leadership Advancement CenterSan Jose State University |
2012 |
Keynote speakerEABIS Service Learning Congress, ESSEC Paris |
2012 |
Management Board MemberAcademy of Business in Society (ABIS) |
2012 |
Section EditorJournal of Business Ethics, Springer |
2012 |
Best Paper Award - Promoting CSR and sustainable development through service learning programsAcademy of Management (AOM) |
2011 |
Board MemberBoard of Academic Affairs of the MSc in Management, ESADE |
2011 |
Editorial Board MemberBusiness and Professional Ethics Journal |
2011 |
Honorary Professorship - Jef Van Gerwen SJ ChairUniversity of Antwerp |
2011 |
Management Board MemberAcademy of Business in Society (ABIS) |
2011 |
Sage Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies Best Paper Award for the most significant contribution to advance leadership and organizational studiesAcademy of Management (AOM) |
2011 |
Editorial Board MemberBusiness and Professional Ethics Journal |
2010 |
Winner of the Aspen Institute's Faculty Pioneer Award for Teaching Innovation and Excellence
Certified executive coach INSEAD
Taught on executive programs, such as
- Georgetown ESADE Global Executive MBA
- Stanford ESADE CSR program
- INSEAD's Coaching Consulting for Change
Her innovative "Business in Society" core course on ESADE's Master of International Management took first place worldwide for CSR and Ethics in the Financial Times rankings 2013.
Member of faculty and design team of PwC's award-winning global leadership development program "Ulysses"
Supervised 14 Honours and PhD students at ESADE Business School (#21 Global FT MBA ranking) and University of St. Gallen (#1 Global FT Master of Management ranking)
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
| Thesis title | Student status |
|---|---|
| Leadership styles, human resource management and employee well-being in Turkish hotels | Current |
| A multi-level study of competitiveness, comparative advantage and intermediary functions: a case study of the South Australian medical devices industry sector | Completed |
| Corporate social responsibility, employee engagement and the effect on employee dignity | Completed |
