David Michels
Partner,
Managing Partner of Bain Japan
About David
Expertise
David Michels is the managing partner of Bain Japan and a senior Transformation coach.
Over his 25+ year career at Bain, David has led transformations across multiple industries and geographies, including the U.S., South America, Europe, India, and Japan.
He works with companies on all aspects of the transformation process—from structuring the program, to orchestrating the change, to energizing the organization. David is known for his ability to inspire executives and their teams and roll up his sleeves to help them deliver sustained results. His approach emphasizes the power of inspirational leadership, insight-rich analytics, and pragmatic co-creation.
David is a leader in Bain’s Global Change and Transformation Practice and regularly publishes on related topics, including in Harvard Business Review and a monthly column in Forbes.com.
Recent Insights
- “Four Ways Leaders Can Make AI Redesigns Stick,” Forbes.com,Φεβρουάριος 2026
- “M&A’s Leadership Moment,” Forbes.com,Δεκέμβριος 2025, Article
- “In the Rush to Harness AI, Don’t Lose Sight of Your Corporate Purpose,” Forbes.com,Νοέμβριος 2025, Article
- “The Board’s Edge in Turbulent Times: Strategic Backlogs,” Forbes.com,Σεπτέμβριος 2025, Article
- “AI Is Changing Work. Is Your Talent Strategy Evolving Too?,” Forbes.com,Ιούλιος 2025
- “Leading Change In The AI Era: Familiar Rules, New Realities,” Forbes.com,Μάιος 2025, Article
- “What Every Business Leader Wants To Know About Tariffs,” Forbes.com,Απρίλιος 2025, Article
- “Using External Perspective to Build Resilience and Drive Change,” Forbes.com,Μάρτιος 2025, Article
- “Change Management in the AI Era: Lessons from the Tech Industry,” Forbes.com,Φεβρουάριος 2025, Article
- “CEO Reading List: Three Books to Help Better Understand Geopolitics Today,” Forbes.com,Ιανουάριος 2025, Article
- “Post-Globalization: Five Steps for Business Leaders Outside the U.S.,” Forbes.com,Δεκέμβριος 2024, Article
- “Embracing Transformation to Maximize Organizational Potential,” Executives on Transformations,Νοέμβριος 2024, Video
- “From Disillusionment to Action: Four Ways CEOs Can Boost Sustainability,” Forbes.com,Οκτώβριος 2024, Article
- “Three Tips for Business Plans and Budgeting in a Volatile Market,” Forbes.com,Σεπτέμβριος 2024, Article
- “Executive Reading: Resources For Catching Up On Generative AI,” Forbes.com,Αύγουστος 2024, Article
- “Three Lessons On Nurturing Young Talent,” Forbes.com,Αύγουστος 2024, Article
- “The Six Trends CEOs See Shaping Global Business Today,” Forbes.com,Ιούνιος 2024, Article
- “The Six New Principles Of A Successful Corporate Transformation,” Forbes.com,Μάιος 2024, Article
- “Fresh Thinking On Aging Leaders,” Forbes.com,Απρίλιος 2024, Article
- “It’s Bad News That So Few Companies Have A Clear Purpose,” Forbes.com,Μάρτιος 2024, Article