insights
Learning from data and practice
Practical research implications, perspectives from experiences, and emerging practices to generate insights organizations can use.
research
Evidence-based business report.
Results from sense-making dialogues and studies translated into practical implications for organizations to address their challenges
collective sense-making
Dialogue that generates new perspectives.
Labs, co-creation sessions, and networking dialogues to explore complex challenges.
/ about us
Why This Institute Exists
Organizations today operate in environments marked by rapid technological change, uncertainty, and increasing performance demands. Leaders must often make decisions without clear answers.
Questions related to learning, performance, well-being, and the responsible use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence are becoming central to how organizations evolve.
The Institute for Sustainable Human Performance helps individuals and organizations make sense of complex situations through research, practice, and co-creation. Our goal is to transform important questions into shared insights and practical actions that support sustainable performance and wellbeing.
/ HOW IT WORKS
How the Institute Works
Each quarter, the Institute explores an Open Question through a structured process that combines insights, dialogue, and research:
01. Open Question → 02. Learning from Data & Practice → 03. Collaborative Sense-Making → 04. Research & Suggestions for Practice
/ 01
Open Question
The Institute publishes or receives an Open Question exploring a topic related to work, learning, AI, and sustainable performance.
/ 02
Learning from Data & Practice
Contributors share insights and experiences related to the question, drawing from research and professional practice.
/ 03
Collaborative Sense-Making
Professionals and organizations engage in Labs, Co-Creation Projects, and Networking Dialogues to explore the question together.
/ 04
Research & Suggestions
The Institute use research methods to generates practical suggestions and insights that organizations can test and adapt in their own context.
/ WHAT IS AN OPEN QUESTION
From Open Questions to Practical Insights
Many of the most important organizational challenges begin with open questions.
Each quarter, the Institute explores one through research, practice, and collective sense-making.
Organizations can also propose their own Open Question. We then help explore it through research insights or collaborative learning processes.
How Structured AI Use Supports Critical Thinking and Learning
Contributor:
Dr. Andreea Nicolau
Research conducted in Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom shows that how people use generative AI can either weaken or strengthen their thinking. Researcher Michael Gerlich found that when people use AI without guidance, they tend to rely on it without improving the quality of their reasoning. In contrast, when they are encouraged to question, evaluate, and refine AI-generated responses, they engage more deeply and produce better results. These findings directly inform our current research question: How can organizations guide the use of AI to strengthen learning and development? The study suggests that AI does not automatically improve learning or performance. Without clear guidance, employees may increasingly rely on AI for tasks that previously required analysis and reflection, thereby weakening critical thinking and slowing the development of expertise. When AI use is structured, however, it can become a tool that supports deeper thinking and capability development.
Implications for practice:
Encourage employees to question and refine AI-generated responses rather than accept them at face value.
Build AI literacy so people understand both the benefits and limitations of AI.
Integrate AI into work in ways that preserve critical thinking and human judgment.
Use structured prompts as a simple and cost-effective way to support responsible AI use.
Source: Gerlich, M. (2025). From offloading to engagement: An experimental study on structured prompting and critical reasoning with generative AI. Data, 10(11), Article 172.
Implementing AI, developing as humans
Contributor:
Monica Stamate
As organizations accelerate AI implementation, the real challenge may be less technological than human. Fear of replacement, trust, psychological safety, and continuous learning shape AI adoption. Sustainable performance depends not only on using AI effectively but also on creating conditions that help people adapt, develop, and strengthen the uniquely human capabilities that technology cannot replace.
Meet Our Collaborators
/ THIS SEASON'S QUESTION
How can organizations guide the use of AI so that learning, development, and sustainable performance are supported?
Learning from Data
AI reveals patterns in organizational data. Analyze cases to spot learning accelerators vs. blind spots.
Learning from Practice
Test AI in real workflows. Identify gaps between tools and human needs through rapid experiments.
Sense Making Labs
Prototype AI decision frameworks. Link data to strategies via facilitated experiments.
Research
Dr. Andreea Nicolau
Researcher on AI, Learning & Sustainable Performance, Executive Coach, Lecturer
Organizational behavior professional with 25+ years in leadership, coaching, teaching, and research. Focuses on leadership, performance, and human–AI interaction, offering evidence-based coaching and consulting for organizational effectiveness.
Organizational Practice
Monica Stamate
Legal for Digital Banking, LL.M Tech Law, AI, Data & Consumer Protection
Banking and legal professional with expertise in data protection, consumer rights, digital transformation, and AI governance. Combining legal insight with business understanding and process innovation, she is interested in how organizations can implement emerging technologies responsibly while supporting trust, adaptation, and sustainable growth.
Cristina Maria Ionescu
Advisory Associate Partner, Innovator in BrainFitness, Mindfulness Mentor
Business leader and human development practitioner exploring the intersection of neuroscience, executive wellbeing, technology, AI, mindfulness, and vertical development in modern organizational life. With 22 years of Big4 leadership experience, she advocates for more human-centered and sustainable ways of leading and evolving.
Luminita Rusu
HR & Development Consultant, Clinical Psychologist, and Senior Executive & Team Coach
Supports leaders and organisations globally to navigate complexity with clarity, focusing on sustainable performance, leadership development, and human-centered growth through evidence-based and holistic mind–body approaches.
Adriana Țuluca-Marina
Specialist Learning & Development, Instructional Designer, EMCCmentor
Focused on supporting growth and transformation. Works at the intersection of education and organizational development, with a strong interest in psychological safety, reflective practice, and integrating AI to enhance human learning and long-term capability.
Cristina Cristescu
AI Integration Specialist, Founder @ Witfuses.com, Executive Coach
Teaches applied AI, designs AI-enhanced learning pathways, and coaches leaders on future-fit leadership with AI adoption to support sustainable performance. Researcher with publications in Chaos, Solitons & Fractals and Physica A.
Corina Irsik
Coach, Mentor, Artist, Researcher
Coach, mentor, artist, and researcher with 25 years of experience spanning multinational projects and transition management, and freelance practice in arts and education. Her work sits at the intersection of trust-based leadership, self-managed organizations, change leadership, participatory arts, and AI-assisted reflection.
Dr. Andreea Nicolau
Researcher on AI, Learning & Sustainable Performance, Executive Coach, Lecturer
Organizational behavior professional with 25+ years in leadership, coaching, teaching, and research. Focuses on leadership, performance, and human–AI interaction, offering evidence-based coaching and consulting for organizational effectiveness.
Andreea Gheorghita
Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Associate Certified Team Coach (ACTC)
Experienced leadership coach with 9+ years working with leaders and teams across multinational organizations and industries. EMCC Senior Practitioner and ESIA accredited, using systemic, evidence-based approaches to support transitions, collaboration, and sustainable leadership.
Meet Our Collaborators
Alex Tran
Chief Scientific Officer
Alex brings 15+ years of experience in applied research, overseeing complex testing and validation programs across biotech, environmental, and materials science.
Maya Chen
Director of Laboratory Operations
Maya leads our lab systems and infrastructure—ensuring every workflow is scalable, compliant, and optimized for speed and scientific accuracy.
Andreea Nicolau
Founder & Researcher
Andreea connects research teams with the right lab support—shaping partnership strategy and aligning cross-functional efforts with measurable scientific goals.
Clara Jennings
Principal Investigator, Biotech & Pharma
With a background in molecular biology and regulatory trials, Clara guides clients through clinical validation, assay design, and FDA-aligned reporting.
Jamie Liu
Senior Advisor, Applied Materials
Jamie advises on everything from tensile testing to lifecycle simulations—bridging the gap between lab performance and industrial application.
Lina Okoro
Client Solutions Lead
Lina ensures a seamless research experience from first consultation to final delivery, translating complex data into business-aligned insights.
Our Partners
/ FAQ
What You Might Want to Know
Discover how the Institute supports organizations and professionals in exploring complex Open Questions through research, dialogue, and co-creation, and learn how you can participate or contribute your expertise.