Ivey’s 2023 MBA Leadership Day, hosted by the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership, urged students to develop strong leader character to tackle society’s critical issues. The day involved discussions by influential leaders, such as Dr. Laurence Mussio, Jeannine Pereira, and Steve Virgin, focusing on sustainable leadership, the future of work, and purpose-driven leadership.
Dr. Mussio emphasized that sustainable leaders should have a clear vision and understanding of Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) within their context. He explained that sustainability goes beyond individual actions and should be integrated into an organization’s system of values.
Steve Virgin highlighted the importance of people-centricity in leadership, especially in building teams. He emphasized the need for leaders to care for, inspire, and account for their team members’ differences.
Jeannine Pereira encouraged purpose-driven leadership, underlining that a clear personal purpose can lead to increased motivation, engagement, resilience, and well-being. Pereira also urged the students to empower others and bring out their strengths.
The panelists stressed the importance of reflection in leadership development, suggesting tactics like having an accountability partner and learning from historical leaders. Virgin suggested writing down one’s purpose as an exercise in reflection, while Pereira referred to Professor Mary Crossan’s philosophy of self-reflection in decision-making. Dr. Mussio encouraged learning from history, stating that reading about historical leaders can offer a great return on investment.
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