George Kohlrieser

George Kohlrieser is a renowned psychologist, leadership expert and keynote speaker whose extraordinary career spans decades of groundbreaking work in negotiation, organisational behaviour and psychology. George began his journey at a Catholic seminary, where he cultivated the discipline and compassion that would define his future pursuits. He later earned a BA in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Dayton and completed his doctorate at Ohio State University, focusing on the recovery of law enforcement personnel after high-stress situations.

Kohlrieser’s career is rooted in his early work as a police psychologist and hostage negotiator in Dayton, Ohio. From 1968 to 1992, he directed the Shiloah Center for Human Growth, specialising in therapy and conflict resolution. His tenure with the Dayton Police Department and Montgomery Sheriff’s Department saw him establish stress management programs and train officers in negotiation techniques. These experiences profoundly shaped his understanding of human behaviour under extreme pressure, a perspective he now brings to audiences worldwide. Since 1998, Kohlrieser has been a Distinguished Professor of Leadership & Organisational Behaviour at IMD Business School in Switzerland. He founded and directs the High Performance Leadership (HPL) and Advanced HPL programs at IMD, which equip senior leaders with tools for conflict management, negotiation, and transformational leadership.

As a hostage negotiator, Kohlrieser was held hostage four times, experiences that cemented his belief in the transformative power of emotional bonding and dialogue. He later expanded his expertise to global leadership, working with organisations, police forces and humanitarian groups in conflict zones like Israel, Croatia and the Palestinian territories. His work is featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and other major publications, and he has authored two bestselling books Care to Dare and Hostage at the Table. George has also earned numerous accolades, including the CEEMAN Global Champion Award for Excellence in Teaching (2013) and the BrandLaureate International Brand Personality Award (2010). His leadership programs received the Brandon Hall Gold Medal (2015), and his research earned the ECCH Renewable and Sustainable Energy Case Award (2011), reflecting his global impact.

As a keynote speaker, Kohlrieser draws on his vast experience to teach audiences how to navigate challenges, resolve conflicts and lead with emotional intelligence. Whether addressing corporate executives or international forums like the World Economic Forum, his insights bridge psychology and leadership, offering practical strategies to overcome obstacles and unlock potential in any environment.