In Her Ellement The Power of Hope in High-Stakes Leadership with BCG’s Kirsten Rulf
Jun 9, 2025
Kirsten Rulf, a Partner at BCG and former advisor to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, shares her insights on leadership and AI. She explains how ancient myths inform modern governance and the importance of having substance in leadership over mere glitz. Kirsten discusses her journey from journalism to shaping EU tech legislation, highlighting the necessity for trust in policymaking. She also reflects on embracing change and the transformative power of hope in high-stakes environments.
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Speech Success, Then Hard Work
- Kirsten wrote a great speech for Chancellor Merkel that gained international acclaim and media coverage.
- Despite the applause, the real work was in the two years of unseen, detailed follow-up involving policy and implementation.
AI's Untapped Public Sector Potential
- AI discussions typically focus on use cases or technologies rather than its long-term societal impacts.
- AI’s greatest potential lies in reshaping the public sector and policymaking, which struggles to keep pace with adoption.
From Classics to Cybersecurity
- Kirsten studied ancient languages and classics but transitioned to journalism, inspired by classical figures pushing the boundaries.
- At Harvard, she overcame initial rejection to study cybersecurity by persistent self-learning and dedication.
