Stanford LEAD Webinar | Practicing Leadership: The Stanford GSB Model

LEAD Program Webinar Summary

Key Concepts:

• GSB Leadership Model (Self-Awareness, Perspective Taking, Contextual Awareness, Decision Making, Holistic Communication)
• Intentional Leadership: A 360 Approach
• LEAD Program Structure (8 courses, Foundation Courses, Leadership Core Course, Electives)
• Hands-on Assignments & Real-World Application
• Personalized Support from Course Facilitators
• Peer Learning & Community Engagement
• Flexibility & Time Commitment (5-10 hours/week)
• Transformation & Skill Upscaling

GSB Leadership Model

• Research-Backed Model: Developed through a deep dive into leadership literature and auditing Stanford GSB courses.
• Five Interrelated Competencies:
  • Self-Awareness: Understanding one's own emotions, thoughts, biases, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts. Includes both internal (understanding oneself) and external (understanding how others perceive you) self-awareness.
    • Example: Satya Nadella (Microsoft CEO) shifted the company culture to focus on empathy and a growth mindset, influenced by his self-awareness.
    • Reading Suggestion: Hit Refresh by Satya Nadella.
  • Perspective Taking: The cognitive and emotional capacity to consider the experiences, feelings, and thoughts of other people. Emphasizes "perspective getting" through active listening and asking good questions rather than assuming understanding.
    • Example: Jacinda Ardern's response to the 2019 mosque shootings, engaging with victims' families and expressing solidarity.
    • Reading Suggestion: Mindwise by Nicholas Epley.
  • Contextual Awareness: The ability to observe and understand the external environment and factors that influence individuals, teams, and organizations. Includes national culture, organizational culture, interpersonal dynamics, physical space, stakeholders, and industry trends.
    • Example: Angela Merkel's leadership during the 2008 financial crisis and Eurozone debt crisis, balancing domestic pressures with the need to stabilize the Eurozone.
    • Reading Suggestion: Strategy Beyond the Hockey Stick by Robert Siegel.
  • Decision Making: A structured approach to making high-stakes decisions, involving gathering information, assessing biases, evaluating alternatives, conducting risk analysis, considering stakeholder perspectives, and communicating decisions effectively.
    • Example: Ruth Bader Ginsburg's strategic selection of cases to advance gender equality, demonstrating that gender equality is good for everyone.
    • Reading Suggestion: Works by Daniel Kahneman on behavioral economics and decision-making biases.
  • Holistic Communication: Effective leadership requires strong written and verbal communication skills, active listening, nonverbal communication, and the ability to manage meetings and difficult conversations.
    • Example: Nelson Mandela's post-prison speech advocating for reconciliation and unity, and wearing the Springbok jersey during the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
    • Reading Suggestion: You're Not Listening by Kate Murphy.

Intentional Leadership: A 360 Approach Course Overview

• Course Structure:
  • Begins with a 360-degree feedback evaluation to assess self-awareness.
  • Each module focuses on one of the five competencies of the GSB leadership model.
  • Includes assignments to apply the concepts to real-world situations.
  • Culminates in a leadership action plan to guide future growth.
• Learning Methods:
  • Interaction with faculty and peers.
  • Engagement with course facilitators and coaches.
  • Optional live interactive sessions (Zoom-ins) with coaches.
  • Live sessions with faculty.
  • Journaling to promote self-reflection.
• Final Assignment: Responding to a major event (e.g., a global pandemic) using the leadership model.

Module Deep Dive: Awareness of Context

• Module Objectives: To understand the external environment and factors that influence individuals, teams, and organizations.
• Learning Styles: The module is designed to cater to different learning styles.
• Zoom-in Session: Optional office hours hosted by course facilitators to discuss techniques and strategies.
• Journaling Prompts: To encourage reflection on actions, responses, behaviors, and emotions.
• Module Content:
  • Video overview by professors.
  • Transcript of the video.
  • Activity to explore components of contextual awareness (nudges, ambient belonging, social networking).
  • Assignment to apply the concepts.
  • Additional resources for further learning.
  • Key takeaways summary.

Ambassador Experiences & Outcomes

• Janine Blank (Senior Executive, Linde): Intentional leadership is crucial for interacting with diverse teams and stakeholders. The program helped her reflect on whether her intentions matched reality and prompted her to ask critical questions. The 360 feedback, course material, and facilitator support (Jennifer Wang) were instrumental in her transformation.
• Lenar Akbarov (Oil & Gas Industry): The course is built around self-reflection and learning about oneself as a leader. He learned to delegate more effectively and increase team morale. He also emphasized the importance of active listening and the impact of small changes in the office environment (e.g., a candy jar).
• Marcella Ercolini (Tourism Ireland): The course significantly enhanced her self-awareness around leadership skills. The 360 evaluation provided a rounded view of her leadership approach. She learned to assess dynamics, read formal and informal networks, and respond more effectively to the broader context. The tools and frameworks were immediately applicable to staff training and cross-department communication.

Q&A Highlights

• Worth the Investment: Ambassadors emphasized the transformative experience, the lasting impact of the program, and the value of the community.
• Time Commitment: Requires planning, prioritization, and communication with family and partners. The workload can be adjusted based on individual needs and preferences.
• Outcomes: Tangible examples included restructuring crisis management teams, developing new innovation strategies, and leading cross-market projects.
• Value for MBA Holders: LEAD provides a different perspective, focusing on personal development and collaboration. It also offers access to cutting-edge research and a dynamic learning environment.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The LEAD program at Stanford GSB offers a transformative learning experience focused on developing intentional leadership skills. The program's research-backed model, hands-on assignments, personalized support, and vibrant community provide participants with the tools and insights they need to grow both professionally and personally. The ambassadors' experiences highlight the program's lasting impact and its ability to help individuals elevate their impact, build stronger teams, and navigate complex challenges. The program is a significant investment of time and resources, but the potential returns in terms of personal and professional growth are substantial.