Jan U. Hagen

Jan U. Hagen

• Jan U. Hagen is a renowned expert in leadership and organizational error management.
• His research examines the efficient management of both automation and human error in businesses.
• He leads ESMT Berlin’s Leadership under Pressure program, educating CEOs worldwide.
• Jan’s studies on psychological safety influence how leaders foster learning in intricate work teams.
• Jan is a well-known writer and orator, his perspectives have shaped sectors such as finance and aviation.

Jan U. Hagen is a professor at ESMT Berlin and a renowned expert in error management, with a particular focus on high-reliability businesses such as the aviation sector and military. As the program director for ESMT’s Leadership under Pressure executive program, Jan leverages his deep understanding of error and crisis management to assist corporate leaders in developing flexible, learning-focused companies. His teaching extends to major institutions, including Cass Business School, Imperial College London, Seoul National University, and Singapore Management University, where he emphasizes the necessity of open error communication and psychological safety. Jan’s work has had a revolutionary impact across industries, from advising big organizations like Allianz, Lufthansa, and IBM to aiding the German Federal Armed Forces in strengthening safety and crisis management. Through his research and consultancy, Jan gives leaders the tools to turn mistakes into learning opportunities.

Recognition and Achievements

Jan has worked extensively with major multinational organizations and institutions, including Allianz, Daimler, Deutsche Bank, and the European Parliament, delivering consultation on mistake management to strengthen organizational resilience. Jan’s knowledge is extensively sought by institutions, including the Belgian Air Force, IBM, and the German Federal Armed Forces, where his ideas have directly changed safety regulations. His speeches have been hailed for their thought-provoking ideas and scientific rigour, with Brigadier General Peter Klement of the German Federal Armed Forces stressing Jan’s tremendous impact on aviation safety.

His study with high-reliability firms has transformed how executives see mistake management, delivering actionable insights for corporate leaders striving to promote agile and learning-oriented cultures. As the director of ESMT’s Leadership under Pressure program, Jan has taught error and crisis management at schools such as Imperial College London, IDC Herzliya, and Solvay Brussels School of Economics.

Speaker and Innovator — Jan U. Hagen

Jan U. Hagen is a charismatic speaker and entrepreneur famous for revolutionizing how corporations view mistake management. Jan challenges traditional thinking from high-risk areas like aviation with real-world examples of how open error communication supports innovation and resilience. His TEDx and international conference lectures empower leaders to embrace failures as opportunities for progress. As a global expert in psychological safety, Jan’s ideas allow teams to flourish under pressure, establishing learning-focused cultures that promote continuous improvement.

Speaking Topics

• The Power of Open Error Communication
• Leadership Under Pressure
• Psychological Safety and Team Dynamics
• Lessons from Aviation: Managing Errors in High-Risk Environments
• Turning Mistakes into Opportunities for Organizational Growth