Dean鈥檚 Circle brought influential societal actors 色色啦 to explore future leadership
The Dean鈥檚 Circle organised by Aalto University School of Business brought together more than a hundred central opinion leaders from business and society to explore future leadership.
Keynote speakers included Professor Julian Birkinshaw from London Business School, Kone CEO Henrik Ehrnrooth and Slush CEO Marianne Vikkula. Discussion was facilitated by Vice Dean Kristiina M盲kel盲, Executive in Residence Juha 脛kr盲s and Professor Olli-Pekka Kauppila from the School of Business.
Professor Julian Birkinshaw from London Business School
Birkinshaw pointed out that digital disruption makes it necessary to re-examine the issue of leadership. He argued that the firms should foster a culture of decisive action allied to emotional conviction. He emphasized that leadership is about guiding the way, and employees鈥 proactive participation is crucial in this respect. Birkinshaw also noted that future leadership requires ambidexterity.
Ehrnrooth emphasised that leadership is about providing an optimal context rather than defining content. Context shows the direction through vision, mission, values and strategy. He also used the term ambidexterity and noted that today鈥檚 leaders need to be humble, adaptable and curios, as well as ready to change their opinions whilst at the same time holding on tight to the direction they have set.
The notion of leadership as service was highlighted by Vikkula and she described herself as a guardian of culture in terms of leadership. Leadership at Slush is based on both full responsibility and freedom. She further stressed the importance of collective ownership and doing things together 鈥 鈥淓go is the enemy鈥.
The host of the event Dean Ingmar Bj枚rkman highlighted in his opening speech that solving real world challenges is a central part of education at the School of Business, and he emphasized the role of collaboration with businesses and other organisations. Bj枚rkman also thanked the School of Business鈥 partners and supporters for their input with regard to the School鈥檚 development as part of Aalto University. He concluded with an overview of the School鈥檚 move to Otaniemi in summer 2019 and emphasized that also in the future the School of Business is built on collaboration with important partners.
Dean Ingmar Bj枚rkman
At the end of the event students from the School of Business presented Aalto University鈥檚 student-driven start-up activities and discussed their studies with the guests.
The event was held on 3 October. Dean鈥檚 Circle is a cooperative network for Aalto University鈥檚 important stakeholders and donors. Dean鈥檚 Circle offers a multidisciplinary community and a unique meeting point for the university and central opinion leaders from society.
Photos: Anni Han茅n
Read more news
Student exchange in Europe? Unite! can take you there
Aalto is a member of Unite!, a European university alliance that gives students the opportunity to internationalise their degrees both online and in-person. Join the webinar to find out more.
Opinion: Finnish language learning should be integrated into degree programs
In this opinion piece, Rebekka Nylund, an expert at the University of Helsinki, and Elisa R盲s盲nen, a university lecturer at Aalto University, reflect on what they have learned from the EU-co-funded Language-supported Knowledge Pathways project and offer suggestions on how and why learning Finnish could be integrated into the structures of higher education degree programs.
What job seeking looks like in the age of AI?
Aalto students map the future for Alma Career