Andrew Kakabadse

Professor Andrew Kakabadse (1948-2025) was an internationally renowned expert on boards, top team management and leadership. A professor of governance and strategic leadership at Henley Business School, he had worked on a major global study of boardroom effectiveness and governance practice. He also served as director for The Board Directors’ Programme and chair of the Henley Directors’ Forum. Andrew was a lynchpin figure in UK and global corporate governance. He published more than 270 scholarly articles and 48 books, with his bestsellers including The Politics of Management, Working in Organisations, The Success Formula and Leadership Intelligence: the 5 Qs.

Latest Articles by Andrew Kakabadse

  1. mindset

    9 February, 2026

    Transformation begins with board mindset

    Boards cannot lead meaningful change without being prepared to examine and adjust how they think, according to new research.

  2. lead with courage

    16 January, 2026

    How to lead with courage

    Courage in leaders is rarely heroic. More often it shows up in mundane but pivotal moments of choosing the difficult truth over an easy path.

  3. stay silent or speak up

    21 November, 2025

    How silence shapes board decisions

    For boards, the dilemma and value of the dissenting voice is not about individual courage to speak up—it’s a matter of culture.

  4. balanced board

    3 October, 2025

    Why balanced boards are smarter

    Gender affects style of leadership and, to reap the benefits, the chair must not be a referee, but an orchestrator of difference.

  5. boardroom dissent

    10 September, 2025

    Boardroom dissent: the hidden catalyst of high-performing boards

    When directors challenge proposals, question strategies or raise uncomfortable truths, they’re strengthening the board’s effectiveness.

  6. stewarding AI

    28 July, 2025

    Stewarding AI: governance needs to catch up

    Artificial intelligence is transforming not only technology and how people do their jobs, but also reshaping leadership thinking.

  7. global disruption

    10 June, 2025

    5 essential tenets for coping with global disruption

    With global geopolitical tensions on an unprecedented scale, disrupting markets and data, how can governance oversight function?

  8. 20 March, 2025

    Boost the IQ of your board papers

    Directors can function effectively only if they are well-informed, hence the need for concise, intelligence-driven and relevant board packs.

  9. self-aware

    3 February, 2025

    4 steps to a more self-aware board

    Board directors can be unaware of their limitations; pursuing self-awareness boosts effective collaboration and decision-making.

  10. senior independent director

    1 November, 2024

    Why boards need senior independent directors

    Independent voices on the board are invaluable for ensuring good governance and healthy dynamics for effective decision-making.