Fabiola Gerpott -

Fabiola H. Gerpott PhD Professor (Full) at WHU - ResearchGate

Innovation is the lifeblood of modern business, yet it remains an elusive goal for many organizations. Fabiola Gerpott has contributed significantly to the discourse on how innovation actually happens within established firms. Her research moves beyond the "great man" theory of innovation—the idea that a single genius invents the future—and focuses instead on the collaborative conditions necessary for breakthroughs.

This article explores the academic and professional footprint of Fabiola Gerpott, examining the themes of her research, her contributions to the field of management, and why her insights are increasingly relevant in today’s evolving work environment. fabiola gerpott

is a prominent scholar in the field of Organizational Behavior and Leadership , currently serving as a Professor at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Germany. Her research is highly interdisciplinary, blending management science, social psychology, and communication research to explore how modern work environments shape human behavior and leadership dynamics.

In recent keynote speeches, Fabiola Gerpott has addressed the intersection of AI and HR. While AI can sort resumes, she argues that AI cannot replace the "feedback ritual"—the uncomfortable, human conversation about growth. She warns against automating performance reviews entirely, as this often triggers the narcissistic defenses she has studied. Fabiola H

A key takeaway from Fabiola Gerpott’s work is that leaders who actively ask for negative feedback (not just positive praise) are perceived as more effective. However, she also warns of the "feedback environment": if an organization punishes candor, no amount of training will fix the silence.

With the retirement of Baby Boomers and the rise of Gen Z, Gerpott has extensively studied "age-inclusive" HRM. She challenges the stereotype that older workers resist change. Instead, her research shows that age-diverse teams perform better when leaders use "Lifespan Leadership" tactics—treating age as a source of cognitive diversity rather than a deficit. Her research moves beyond the "great man" theory

In the wake of high-profile CEO scandals, Gerpott has become a go-to expert on narcissism in the C-suite. Her 2021 study (with colleagues) explored how narcissistic leaders react to team feedback. The results were stark: highly narcissistic leaders only increase their self-focus and derogation of others after receiving critical feedback.