It is a big task and a big responsibility talking about training future leaders. Last week, when I met an HR head at a large international company, he asked me what it really means. If you don’t want to use clichés (that’s not the kind of storytelling I represent) – you need substance in your statements. We are working very hard on something we call sustainable decision making. In a world where traditional careers and business role models no longer are obvious. In a context where environmental thinking, social responsibility and ethics become more transparent and integrated in the culture of organisations. On an everyday basis where people want meaning to get out of bed in the morning – we want to participate in training leaders with sense of a long term responsibility. For themselves, for their collaborators, for their organisation and for society. It gives meaning and pleasure in life. It is not only about making good decisions and inspiring good decisions but making sure they transfer into actions. This is done through a personal management style based on self-perception and integrity. It takes time to carve that out – at least one you are aware of. At Henley we look forward to following our student’s personal development in the next few years. There is a lot of power behind an MBA and that influence should be used in the right way. That is what makes a future leader.
For example, one of our students entered on a scholarship and wrote a thesis about sustainability in project management. It sounds so simple – but it’s not. How do you implement a project that will be meaningful in the long term? Her idea about a model where you integrate sustainability in project management is extremely inspiring and à la mode. This was our youngest student. One of our most experienced students has written a management book in his intense career and is ready to get back to school, meaning there is still a lot to learn – about yourself and others. That is another aspect of our future leaders – learning never stops. Lifelong learning is a task for all future. If you didn’t realise it earlier, an MBA will be a starting point for this approach.
Future leaders make sustainable decisions and never stop learning, but why are we so fond of Establishing Abroad’s business idea? This is my last point about future leaders – they are international. Globalisation may be a word used too often, but our Nordic manager Leif Bergmann says in this fall’s Henley Magazine:
“No products, markets or companies are unique today. Monopoly doesn’t exist anymore. An international perspective is essential if the company risks getting pushed over by globalisation. It is not a question about if there will be competition but when. This is the reality when we start teaching our students and our professors have contacts with major businesses all over the world”.
Education with focus on internationalisation is vital or at least an ingredient for success.
Fall smells nice. According to school start traditions, this afternoon, I will check out some new pens and calendars – even though it is mainly mind mapping on laptop and Outlook calendars these days. Some things never change and will remain the same regardless of technique and trends – the difference is learning.
Feel free to contact Johanna with comments or contributions Johanna.Olesen@HenleyNordic.com or visit www.henley.se