Research on leadership capacity under sustained pressure
A study on decision quality, the limits of performance, and what organisations can do.
Leading under Sustained Pressure
How senior executives in German organisations cope with increasing pressure, what impairs their decision quality, and why 12 percent manage their performance like a budget.
Our principles
Pre-registered
The hypotheses were registered at OSF before data collection began on 19 August 2026. Confirmation and rejection were defined in advance and cannot be changed.
Open methodology
Sample, data collection period, analysis strategy and any deviations from the registration are fully disclosed.
Limits stated
Self-reported data, correlations and no causality: the study explicitly states its limitations and distinguishes between findings and interpretations.
Research lead

Maik Oliver Ludewig, Mag.
Research lead
Maik Oliver Ludewig, Mag., leads the MindBright Research study series and researches leadership capacity in top management. He is a member of the advisory board of the L3S Research Center at Leibniz University Hannover, teaches Leadership at Quadriga University Berlin, and combines empirical research with 30 years of experience in digital transformation and management.
Research series
MindBright Research examines in a multi-year series how leadership capacity in top management can be sustained and strengthened.
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