(Newsletter #28) Bridging the Gap - How to know what really counts?

As Benoit Arnaud, Dean of Programmes, explains in his editorial: "This issue celebrates the power of new habits, career shifts, and what a network can achieve when it truly works. Seeing what matters today requires genuine critical thinking [...], learning to recognise what holds us back, and innovating to move forward."

Available in English and in French, this 18th issue draws on the entire school ecosystem to explore this topic: alumni, professors, programme directors, partners, experts, and more.

Enjoy your reading!

We have selected below a few highlights, but many more articles await you in the full online version of the magazine, also available in print on all our campuses. Once in the Calaméo tool, you can download the pdf of this issue and/or browse the table of contents via the top menu.

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“Taking the initiative comes at a cognitive cost”

We are constantly told to take the initiative, think outside the box and be proactive. But research by Mouna El Mansouri (EDHEC) and her co-authors reveals a hidden cost: proactivity can deplete cognitive resources, increase stress and hurt short-term performance. Finding the right balance depends as much on corporate culture as on individual… Read the article [p. 14]

“Change is complex, but it also comes with a great deal of freedom. It’s a beautiful journey”

Julia Milner (EDHEC) investigates topics ranging from micromanagement and feedback to the role of emotions in the workplace. Her new book, Habit Maker: Build Good Ones, Quit Bad Ones, and Thrive in Between (2027) explores the power of habits in shaping everyday life. In this interview, she also reflects on the key milestones in a career devoted to understanding and teaching leadership… Read the interview [online]

Innovating differently: Why companies must embrace collaboration

Open innovation is no longer optional as companies increasingly need to collaborate with startups, universities, suppliers, customers and even competitors to access specialised knowledge and share risk. This is what Pierre-Jean Barlatier (EDHEC) has been exploring and advocating for years. The "winning" companies will be the best at connecting, testing, sharing and scaling innovation across ecosystems… Read the article [online]

5 questions to V. Fanghella and C. Hansen on tackling perception bias around climate action

Research highlights a gap between how people perceive their carbon footprints and their actual emissions. In this cross-interview, Valeria Fanghella (EDHEC) and Clara Hansen (Akuo Energy) explore this paradox from both an academic and a field perspective, with a shared objective: understanding how to develop new and more effective ways of encouraging people to act... Read the interview [online]

“Quantum invites us to think about complexity”

Quantum technologies are approaching a pivotal moment, with the potential to transform entire industries and reshape the future of computing. At the forefront of this emerging field is the EDHEC Quantum Institute, the first quantum laboratory within a business school, founded and directed by Lionel Martellini (EDHEC). Here, he explores the potential of quantum technologies and the key questions surrounding their future use... Read the interview [p.44]

Why legal teams are becoming a source of strategic value

Legal teams are moving from protecting companies from risk to actively helping them create value. Christophe Roquilly (EDHEC), Sabine Le Gac (EDF) and Yannick Piette (Weil, Gotshal & Manges) discuss how regulation, geopolitical uncertainty, AI and growing business complexity are reshaping the legal profession. They explore the shift from “problem makers” to problem solvers, and why lawyers are increasingly becoming strategic partners in business... Read the article [online]

Main illustration (header) - 2026, Anne Moreau