Leadership in a changing world. Business experts challenge conventional wisdom at the University of Southampton’s annual high profile debate
Are leaders born or made? How can you manage millennials? Does technology help or hinder? What can you do when things go wrong?
A panel with extensive experience in leadership across several sectors answered questions on a wide range of issues at the latest debate staged at JP Morgan’s Corporate Centre in Bournemouth by the University of Southampton Business School’s Executive Learning Partnership (ELP).
Chaired by General Sir Richard Barrons, the panel comprised British Army Sergeant Major, Gavin Paton; Director of Client Experience at PwC, Heather Melville; Strategic advisor and author, Carrie Foster; Managing Director of JP Morgan Chase, Graeme Munro and Amy Fraher, Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management at Southampton Business School.
In the audience were experienced leaders and young managers starting their careers from companies and organisations including the RNLI, Blake Morgan, Ordnance Survey and Stannah along with postgraduate students and researchers from the Business School.
Sir Richard said a military example of the essential qualities of good leaders – ‘will, rigour, moral courage, communication and personal example’ – applied more widely in business life.
Heather Melville advised companies keen to embrace diversity to activity seek for new recruits from a range of backgrounds, be more inclusive and empowering and train them to make a success out of business transformation.
University of Southampton Director of Enterprise Paul Bennett introduced the event: “This was our fifth leadership debate, and the best yet. Our panel was challenged with incisive questions and replied honestly from their own experiences. It was an evening to remember and the audience left with new insights and much to think about.”
Professor Martin Broad, Head of Southampton Business School, adds: “As ever, our annual evening leadership debate provided all our guests with tangible insights from a hugely experienced panel who tell truth to power.”
The ELP brings together senior executives from leading companies and organisations within the region for a unique insight into modern leadership. They have ringside seats at interactive sessions as inspirational business leaders, academics and innovators consider latest research on key topics such as strategy, trust and performance as well as effective organisational change and leadership. Partners play a key role in deciding which topics are tackled by the ELP learning and development monthly masterclass to ensure relevance and rigour.
Image (above): Professor Amy Fraher, Gavin Paton, General Sir Richard Barrons, Carrie Foster, Heather Melville, Graeme Munro.