CEO Agenda, a platform dedicated to providing unique insights into how leaders think and lead in a world of constant change, recently sat down with Christophe De Vusser, Global Managing Partner of Bain & Company. De Vusser is known as a trailblazer in the realm of management consulting, with his innovative approach towards work-life balance and embracement of Artificial Intelligence in the business world.
With a career that started in Brussels, De Vusser is no stranger to high-pressure environments. He often worked up to 60 hours a week, not returning home until late into the night. Despite the demanding schedule, he has always strived for balance, making time for nature, museums, and book reading to broaden his horizons.
De Vusser’s commitment to balance led him to consider how technology could help consultants work smarter and find better equilibrium. “[The tools] are boosting not just my own productivity, but also doing that for colleagues as well” he told Fortune.
Down to Business
When asked about the most important project in his company, De Vusser pointed towards their work with AI. He believes that AI will profoundly impact every industry and virtually every business, ultimately leading to another industrial revolution.
De Vusser is extremely hopeful about AI’s potential for societal and economic transformation. However, he also recognizes the risks associated with such a powerful technology. To mitigate these, Bain & Company has implemented policies and principles to ensure responsible AI use. They have also joined Microsoft’s Responsible AI Partner Initiative.
Being Productive
De Vusser usually starts his day between 6 to 7 am, catching up on the news and getting a handle on what’s happening in the business world before diving into his emails and meetings. In the evening, he tries to make time for his family and balance work with his private life. As much as possible, he avoids working on weekends or holidays, instead choosing to indulge in outdoor activities, cultural pursuits, and spending time with friends and family.
In terms of productivity tools, he uses generative AI tools daily, including Microsoft Co-pilot, ChatGPT-4, Zoom AI, and Sage, Bain’s proprietary chat platform for their teams. These tools, he says, enable him to work smarter and faster while boosting the productivity of his colleagues.
Getting Personal
De Vusser draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including books, music, and sports. He recently read ‘The Wizard and the Prophet’ by Charles Mann, which he found to offer brilliant insights into the duality of innovation. He’s also a fan of Haruki Murakami, having read his works during a trip to Japan.
If given a chance to ask a question to his idol, De Vusser would like to know how they continually reinvent themselves, evolve to stay at the top of their profession, and keep relevant to their audiences. He cites musicians such as the saxophonist and composer John Zorn, jazz pianist Brad Mehldau, and even Beyonce as sources of inspiration.
As a consumer, De Vusser admires Apple and Bower & Wilkins, the British maker of audio speakers and headphones, for their commitment to delivering high-end quality products to consumers consistently.
The last time De Vusser wore a costume, he dressed up in Seventies disco style to celebrate with friends – a stark contrast to his daily business life of meetings and events.
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