2 July 2026

KLU Professor Niels Van Quaquebeke Recognized as Top HR Influencer

Leading German HR publication Personalmagazin has named Prof. Niels Van Quaquebeke one of its HR Influencers 2026. In the prestigious "Editor's Choice" category, the editorial team spotlights ten voices who bring original thinking, academic rigor, and real value to the HR community – looking beyond follower counts to celebrate genuine impact.

Bridging Science and Practice – No Jargon Required

Personalmagazin describes Niels Van Quaquebeke, Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behavior: "He brings scientific insights into conversations about leadership, collaboration, and AI. The Kühne Logistics University professor shares studies, fresh perspectives, challenging questions, and reading recommendations – in both German and English. He makes research accessible to practitioners without drowning in academic speak. One day he's unpacking the fragmentation of learning, the next he's exploring why employees slip into resistance and cynicism. And when he does go deep into study designs, he kicks things off with a friendly nerd alert."

A Trusted Voice in the Age of AI and Noise

This recognition comes at a pivotal moment. As artificial intelligence reshapes social media, the boundaries between AI-generated content, self-promotion, and authentic expertise are becoming harder to navigate. To help professionals and leaders cut through the noise, Personalmagazin curates its list of the most influential HR voices every two years. The 2026 edition features 35 individuals across three categories:

Corporate Influencers
Top Stars
Editor's Choice

The selection draws from a pool of more than 200 active LinkedIn accounts in the German-speaking world. For the "Editor's Choice" category, it's not about the numbers – it's about originality, depth, and meaningful contribution to the HR conversation.