Günter's work as a scientific mentor is among the original inspirations for this book project. It is our particular pleasure to have captured his thoughts on the matter after having worked with him for many years: Günter has been a long-term leadership colleague of Omid and Benjamin’s secondary PhD supervisor. From 1991 until February 2017, Günter Müller-Stewens was a chair holder and professor of strategic management, and from 1997 until 2016 executive director of the Institute of Management & Strategy at the University of St. Gallen. From 2005 until 2007, he was Dean of the School of Management. Also, from 2002 until end of 2015 he was co-founder and academic director of the Master in Strategy and International Management (SIM), as well as co-founder and academic director of the Master in Business Management (MUG) from 2011 until 2016. He is currently working at the University of St. Gallen on a freelance basis and lectures there.

When speaking in context of this project, Günter shared a keen conviction about the necessity to keep research in context of practical problems and their solutions. Through his career, he has won the impression that the purpose of – at least applied – research is to serve its application and not predominantly itself. Günter watches the modern academic publication system with considerable doubt about how much it helps research to achieve this goal. Another key perspective he shared related to the inner spirit of a project and one’s self. He suggested to try and identify that spirit and follow it where it may lead you.