The Stern Stewart Institute’s Post

Europe has extraordinary assets - industrial depth, capital, talent. Our latest periodical #32 explores how to translate that strength into impact, speed, and strategic confidence. A big thank you to all our brilliant contributors for pushing the debate forward. Run up that hill with us! Dr. Tobias Braun Dr. Justin Feinstein Dr. Andreas Gorbach Toralf Haag Xiaodi Hou Matthew Kaminski Stefan Oelrich Michael Sen Sir Martin Sorrell Dr. Jochen Weyrauch Amos Yadlin Patrick Zhong #Europe #Strategy #Competitiveness #Geopolitics #Leadership

In everyday professional life, most of us move within well-known circles. With demanding schedules and constant responsibilities, there is rarely the time – or the setting – to step beyond them and engage with people from different sectors, countries or perspectives.   And yet this is often where the most valuable conversations begin.   At the European Economic Forum, we deliberately create a space where such encounters can happen. By bringing together business leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and thinkers from across Europe, the Forum enables dialogue that connects perspectives and often leads to new collaborations and alliances.   At a time of shifting global power dynamics, Europe’s ability to act will depend increasingly on how well it connects its strengths. Building trusted relationships across sectors and borders is part of that equation.   🌍 European Economic Forum 2026 📅 25 & 26 November, Lucerne   ⏰ Early Bird tickets are available until 31 March. We look forward to welcoming you at EEF26.   Lucerne Dialogue Platinum Partners AMAG Group | Forvis Mazars in Switzerland | Orange Business   #LucerneDialogue #EuropeanEconomicForum #EuropeanCollaboration #CrossSectorDialogue #FutureOfEurope #Leadership #EEF26

Great conversations this morning at the LACC Business Breakfast discussing the future of U.S.–Mexico economic collaboration. Today’s keynote from Esteban Moctezuma Barragán offered valuable perspective on how trade and diplomacy, continue to shape the economic relationship between the United States and Mexico. Key takeaways from the discussion: • The U.S.–Mexico relationship remains one of the most important economic partnerships in the world. • Cross-border collaboration is driving growth across industries including manufacturing, logistics, housing, and finance. • Strong dialogue between business leaders and policymakers will be critical as trade and investment continue to expand. Events like this reinforce how interconnected our economies truly are and how important it is for business leaders to stay engaged in these conversations. Grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and continue building relationships within the international business community. Alejandro Coss Thank you! #Leadership #InternationalBusiness #USMexicoRelations #EconomicGrowth #BusinessCommunity

🎙️✨I recently had the pleasure of hosting Elena Panaritis, economist and impact entrepreneur, as part of the 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗖𝗦 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀. Our conversation explored the realities of leadership in complex global environments and the importance of innovative thinking when addressing economic and social challenges. Elena has worked at the 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗠𝗙, advised four Greek prime ministers during the sovereign debt crisis, and pioneered catalytic policies for economic growth in more than 𝟰𝟬 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, helping improve the lives of nearly 𝟰𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 by integrating marginalized individuals into the formal economy. Her global experience, strategic insight, and ability to navigate diverse cultures offered powerful lessons for our community. It was inspiring to engage with a leader whose work continues to shape policy, markets, and opportunities worldwide. Moments like this are exactly why the Leadership Thread Series exists—to trace the thread of leadership back to the formative childhood influences and early experiences that help shape the leaders who go on to impact the world. Watch the entire conversation: https://lnkd.in/gsTuiYj3 #LeadershipThreadSeries #ACSAthens #GlobalLeadership #Impact #LeadershipInAction

Most leaders talk about change. A few leaders redraw the map of history. One such leader was Otto von Bismarck — the man who unified Germany in 1871. At that time, Germany wasn’t a single nation. It was a collection of 39 fragmented states under the German Confederation. Most politicians debated. Bismarck strategized. Through a carefully planned series of conflicts — including the Austro-Prussian War and the Franco-Prussian War — he united the German states and created the modern German nation. But what made Bismarck extraordinary wasn’t just political success. It was leadership. 5 Leadership qualities we can learn from Bismarck: 1) Strategic Vision He saw a united Germany when most leaders only saw divided states. 2) Pragmatism (Realpolitik) He focused on practical outcomes rather than ideology or rhetoric. 3)Diplomatic Intelligence He ensured Prussia never fought multiple enemies at the same time. 4)Calculated Risk Taking Every bold move he made was backed by preparation and timing. 5) Long-term Stability Thinking After unifying Germany, he worked to maintain peace in Europe through alliances. The lesson for modern leaders: Great leadership is not always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it is quiet strategy, patient planning, and decisive execution that shapes history. #Leadership #Strategy #History #Management

SILENCE IS ALSO STRATEGY. While the world reacts loudly to every conflict, some powers focus on something else: Building industry. Securing supply chains. Strengthening alliances. Expanding influence quietly. History already warned us: “Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.” — Napoleon Bonaparte In geopolitics—and even in business— the most powerful moves are often the ones made quietly and patiently. Those who keep building while others argue often define the next global order. #Geopolitics #Strategy #GlobalPower #Leadership #IndustrialPolicy

European competitiveness is not only about speed. It’s about direction, trust, and collaboration. Strong ecosystems outperform fast solo runs. This is a conversation Europe needs to take seriously. #clusters #competitiveness #europe #ecosystems #leadership

China is a builder nation led by brilliant engineers, not lawyers. Jensen Huang explains how this fundamental difference in leadership and education has positioned them to dominate the exponential technology curve.

🌍 What Should Global Leadership Look Like Today? Hot Take. Is global leadership about power — or about responsibility? IR theory gives us competing answers: • Realism: Leadership comes from material power and strategic advantage. • Liberalism: Leadership is built through institutions, cooperation, and rule-setting. • Constructivism: Leadership depends on norms, legitimacy, and credibility. A clear example is the European Union in global climate governance. The EU cannot coerce others militarily — yet it leads by setting standards, shaping norms, and pushing multilateral climate commitments that influence global behavior. This suggests a shift in leadership: • From dominance → coordination • From unilateralism → norm-setting • From short-term power → long-term legitimacy So the real debate isn’t who is strongest — it’s who can mobilize cooperation in a divided system. In today’s world, global leadership isn’t about commanding others. It’s about being followed — willingly. What do you think defines real global leadership today? #InternationalRelations #GlobalLeadership #IRTheory #GlobalAffairs #Multilateralism

Every crisis becomes a leadership story: Middle East, US pressure, by‑election shocks – and the media spins back to “Should Starmer go?” This piece looks at why swapping leaders is the cheapest form of catharsis our system can offer, and why structural reform is the only real exit. Link in comments.