Published every two years, the Thinkers50 Ranking is the definitive list of the most influential management thinkers in the world and answers one simple question: who is the world’s most influential living management thinker?
Nominations for the Thinkers50 Ranking are open from May to July in the years that the ranking takes place (odd-numbered years). The public is invited to participate in the online nomination process by submitting the names and qualifications of thinkers they wish to put forward for consideration. Nominations are accepted and encouraged from individuals and organisations across the globe.
All nominations for the Thinkers50 Ranking are considered by the Thinkers50 Panel of Advisors. Each new ranking is announced at the Thinkers50 Awards Gala held in November every other year, culminating in a countdown of the top 10.
The Thinkers50 Ranking uses a proprietary methodology for evaluating management thinking. Thinkers50 founders Stuart Crainer and Des Dearlove lead the process, with input and review from the Thinkers50 advisors. The criteria are evaluated on a weighted basis taking account of the thinker’s performance over the long term, as well as over the two years since the previous ranking.
The methodology is organised by two broad concepts: Viability – the quality and relevance of ideas; and Visibility – the influence and impact of ideas in the world. These concepts are quantified using 10 criteria.
VIABILITY (THE 4RS):
VISIBILITY (IMPACT):
Nominations are accepted between 1 May and 30 June in odd-numbered years.
Inventors of the ground-breaking “blue ocean strategy”, paving the way for organizations to break out of fixed market boundaries and create a whole new space.
Kim and Mauborgne’s blue ocean strategy pioneered a way to create and capture new, uncontested market space. They coined the terms “red ocean” – the known, competitive market within industry boundaries – and “blue ocean” – the unknown and uncontested market space, where demand is created, spawning new opportunities and growth. Kim and Mauborgne also developed the concept of “non disruptive creation”, challenging the notion that innovation must be disruptive.
Prolific researcher providing valuable insights in strategy, governance, democratic capitalism, and social innovation…
Pioneer and champion of psychological safety, studies people, projects and organizations to uncover the secrets of succesful teaming…
The brains behind the world-renowned “business model canvas” – instrumental in helping new businesses put strategy into practice…
Globally recognized expert on strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship; champion of harnessing disruptive influences for competitive advantage…
Recognized expert on the science of motivation, the science of timing, and the business zeitgeist; writes and creates at the intersection of work…
Expert on competitive dynamics and disruptive production, and a powerful voice on the future impact of technology…
Launched into the thought leadership stratosphere in 2014 with The Second Machine Age, their work continues to provide a road-map for success in a digital economy.
Leading adviser on innovation and champion of “dual transformation” strategy, helping businesses to turn disruption into advantage…
Specialist in organizational psychology, focusing on originality, motivation, non-conformity, generosity, meaningful work, and success…
Leadership visionary with the intent to change how business leaders think, act, and operate, to create environments in which people work at their natural best…
Best-selling author, entrepreneur, and business visionary, applying lean business principles to the reinvention of Wall Street…
Psychologist, with a unique focus on organizational change, and the movement of business from a competitive to a more collaborative work space…
Expert on the powers of disruption, and the ways to grasp the opportunities of change, starting with the personal…
World-renowned entrepreneur, creating a unique, innovative, evolving business model that fuses management philosophies of east and west…
Catalytic questioner and global innovator, exploring how asking the right questions builds leadership and innovation, and drives purposeful change…
Best-selling author, proponent of talent development through leadership, advocates the power of harnessing collective intelligence…
Distinguished authority on leadership and career development, advocating the importance of strategic networks, and the value of collaboration…
Strategy professor and renowned globalization expert, renowned for his robust analysis of global trends…
International branding expert, who has led deep research into the minds of buyers, applying insights from neuroscience to develop the concept of “buyology”…
Award-winning professor, researcher, and author, focused on how people can have more productive, creative, fulfilling lives…
Top expert on leadership and innovation, focused on global strategies, and how to harness creativity and engagement for strategic implementation…
Serial entrepreneur, and creator of the customer development method that launched the renowned lean startup movement…
“The quality prophet”, and best-selling author on “six sigma” philosophy, with insightful research on how quality affects all levels of business function and public policy….
Global strategists, experts on entrepreneurship and the transformational rise of emerging markets, foremost China and India…
Author, professor, and management theorist, with award-winning work on social networks, collaboration, knowledge management, and corporate innovation…
Prominent thought leader and strategist on the future of work in the social era, advocating for people in a technology-driven workspace…
Global strategy expert, advocating the value of total transparency in the high-tech online market in China and beyond…
Leadership transition expert, creating specific strategies to help professionals deal with both personal adaptive changes and organizational change challenges…
World-renowned expert on the explosive new era of trust and technology and what this means for life, work, and how we do business…
Bureaucracy buster, champion of management revolution, and advocate for innovation as the driver of wealth creation…
Specialist on cross-cultural management, her evaluation of different cultures has resulted in a strategic framework for organizations seeking international success…
Award-winning psychologist who applies her knowledge of emotions, human motivation, and change to individuals and organizations…
Marketing pioneer, unleashing the power of the consumer and the importance of building trust, connections, and positioning in the market place…
Best-selling author, award-winning lecturer, and social psychology expert on the behavioural science of power, presence, and prejudice…
Developed the concept of two-sided markets, which is used extensively in platform business models, and delivered the first comprehensive analysis…
Expert on leadership and learning in the workplace, notably leadership in the age of “nomadic professionalism”, and broadening…
Originator of the strengths movement, who challenges and inspires people to find and apply their strengths…
Former business coach who has sparked a global movement of organizations adopting radically more powerful – and soulful – management practices…
Mastering the art of sustaining growth in large companies through the creation of a strategy, system and culture of innovation…
Socratic advisor to leaders, focusing on what makes a business great and not just good; introduced five levels of leadership and the flywheel effect…
Leading expert on choice, studying the factors that influence the choices we make and how choice and meaning are intertwined…
“Total leadership” guru, award-winning teacher, and best-selling author who explores how good leadership goes hand in hand with a richer life…
Award-winning professor renowned for his research on leadership, strategy, and corporate governance and how to become a “superboss”…
Recognised expert on innovation, entrepreneurship, and renewal in large corporations; prolific author making unique contributions on work practices…
Leadership, innovation, and strategy podcaster; author, speaker, and educator on working smarter to improve your work and life…
Neuroscience-based talent strategist – teaching us the science of human performance, motivation, and decision-making…
Self-reinvention and branding expert, showing others how to take control of their professional lives and make an impact on the world…
Champion of business ecosystems and digital platforms, collaboration and partnership; specialist on corporate turnarounds and organizational transformation…
Top influencer in customer experience, digital transformation, business model innovation, and the future of work…
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Thinkers50 Limited
The Studio
Highfield Lane
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United Kingdom
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