December 10, 2008

The Lausanne chapter of the IMD Swiss Alumni Club was recently the host of a Discovery Event on the IMD campus attended by some 120 alumni and guests. The theme was "The Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative (GRLI)", a unique global community of action and learning that promotes and supports the development of a next generation of globally responsible leaders.

The GRLI was initiated in 2002 by the EFMD (European Foundation of Management Development) in recognition of the need to address the challenge of developing business leaders with skills, knowledge and passion to take on the challenge of increasing the global social responsibility of the corporate world. In 2004 the GRLI started with a group of 21 pioneering businesses and business schools/learning institutions from all parts of the world. Today membership is up to some 60 companies and business schools.

Professor Anders Aspling, GRLI Secretary-General, said that although the awareness of the GRLI and its principles is growing, now is the time for these good words to be transformed into actions. “This is beginning to happen. Many companies are incorporating GRLI principles into their executive development programs, and this is where business schools, like IMD, have a major role to play. Issues regarding a sustainable and responsible development have become part of what companies today need to integrate into their operation to secure long-term competitiveness and success.”

Leif Sjöblom, Professor of Financial Management, said that IMD is very conscious of the role of business schools in this respect and that issues of responsible leadership are high on the school’s development agenda. "As Faculty members, we are in a position to influence a lot of people. It is our responsibility to teach leadership in a responsible way. I think that our Faculty does a great job today, but given the turbulent times ahead, we would like to set our ambitions even higher. This is why responsible leadership has been identified as a key strategic priority for next year."

Responsible Leadership Summit at IMD next February
IMD will be hosting a Responsible Leadership Summit from February 1 to 3, 2009. Leaders from the political and business worlds will join IMD Faculty for this senior management event. The third day of the summit will be organized in association with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and The Evian Group. Read more