5 science-backed strategies to be a better boss
Executive Take
Most managers rely on gut feel and informal check-ins, which research shows misses real problems and produces worse decisions. Structured habits like ACORN and CASE replace instinct with repeatable process, making good judgment less dependent on any one leader's mood or bias.
Executive Summary
Executive coach and former McKinsey partner Caroline Webb outlines five behavioral-science management tools from her book Leadership Intelligence: a "360-degree vision" method for surfacing hidden problems, the ACORN decision framework, the CASE model for driving change, a "manageable and meaningful" approach to reducing team stress, and an ABC routine (Awareness, Breathing, Centering) for self-regulation under pressure.
Why It Matters
HR and leadership teams building manager training programs can turn these frameworks into concrete coaching tools rather than vague "be a better leader" advice. They give managers a checklist for decisions and change efforts instead of relying on personality or experience alone.