/ welcome to Institute for sustainable human performance
The Institute for Sustainable Human Performance
Making sense of complexity so people and organizations can learn, decide, and sustain performance and wellbeing over time.
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.
/ THIS QUARTILE'S QUESTION
Current Open Question: "How can organizations guide the use of AI so that learning and development are strengthened?"
Why does attention matter for thriving at work?
Contributor:
Dr. Andreea Nicolau
Research suggests that thriving at work—feeling both energized and able to learn—depends not only on motivation or skills, but also on the ability to manage attention effectively. When employees constantly face interruptions, multitasking, and high information load, their attention becomes fragmented, making it harder to learn, focus, and sustain performance.
Implications for practice:
Reduce unnecessary interruptions and multitasking
Create moments for focused work and reflection
Encourage habits that support attention and recovery
Design work environments that protect cognitive resources
Testing Iris in Practice: Can AI Support Reflection and Sustainable Performance in Mentoring?
Contributor:
By integrating evidence-based reflection with lightweight data collection, Iris shows how minimal and ethical AI interventions can support meaningful development in mentoring, offering new possibilities for research and practice in learning and sustainable performance.
/ 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.
Meet Our Collaborators
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.
/ 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.