Leadership Institute Travels to Switzerland
Host to the highest number of international organizations in the world, Geneva, Switzerland, proved an ideal setting for students on the Principia College Leadership Institute’s Leaders Across Borders trip. During two weeks in early summer, students had extraordinary access to a wide range of high-level leaders—senior executives and officials from the World Trade Organization, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Caterpillar Corporation, Nestlé, and the International Federation of the Red Cross, among others.
In many cases, students met individuals who are dealing with some of the world's most pressing issues. “Speakers were quite candid, taking students through not just what things look like on paper, but also how things really work, and how challenging it can be to manage worldwide organizations,” explains David Wold (US’79, C’84), Director of the Leadership Institute.
Here are a few examples:
- The Director General of the WWF walked students through the challenges of reorganizing a global institution.
- The Director of Strategy for the International Red Cross described how changes to the reporting structure impact organizational dynamics.
- A Counsellor at the World Trade Organization explained how leaders can cultivate individual relationships to overcome political barriers.
- A member of the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria spoke about the challenges of coordinating multiple agencies with different values and priorities.
Students noted that humility and authenticity were common characteristics among the leaders they met. Emma Herman, who begins her second year as the College’s Student Body President this fall, was particularly struck with the tone set by Executive Vice President Chris Johnson, Head of Nestlé Business Excellence. “He is one of the most humble and gracious men I have ever met,” Emma says. “And his advice matched his demeanor: ‘If you want a great team, you have to make them feel safe working for you. If someone makes a mistake, don't give them away—take responsibility. And when you are praised, give it back to your team. Take care of your team, and good things happen.’”
The importance of selflessness was echoed by Nik Peschke (C’18) after meeting with Salvatore Lombardo, Chief of Staff for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. “Mr. Lombardo made clear that the pleasure of being in a leadership position is not in the glory or power, but in the process of identifying problems and solving them,” Nik says.
Bringing Lessons Back to Campus
Students on the trip serve in various leadership roles on campus—in student government, as Christian Science Organization Readers and Board members, resident assistants, athletic team captains, and Public Affairs Conference Board members, just to name a few. All are leadership certificate candidates, which requires a significant commitment to learning about and practicing leadership.
What the group learned will, no doubt, bear fruit back on campus this fall as they put their learning into practice. “I am so grateful to have had this extraordinary opportunity,” Emma adds. “The lessons we learned were invaluable, and I hope to take all of the wisdom I gained and apply it to my current and future teams.”