From the President: Leading on Entrepreneurial Leadership
I always look forward to my regular meetings with Scott Taylor. He always has important things to say.
We talk a lot about leadership at Babson, and that’s Scott’s purview. He’s the Arthur M. Blank Endowed Chair for Values-Based Leadership.
In this issue of the magazine, Scott shares his thoughts on entrepreneurial leadership. His reflections are worth the read. They may give you a different perspective on what makes for a good leader.
Our faculty members always remind me that leadership is not strictly about an individual. Too often, when people evaluate leadership, they consider the characteristics of the leaders themselves. Are the leaders strong? Are they charismatic? Are they visionaries? But, it is their relationships, and the communities they form, that give them their authority and strength, that influence others to get things done.
Entrepreneurial leaders have a human-centered perspective. They believe in people. They collaborate and connect. They influence and inspire and invest in those around them. They enable them to be their best.
When I look at the path my life has taken and reflect on the leadership research of Babson faculty such as Scott Taylor and Danna Greenberg (the Walter H. Carpenter Professor of Organizational Behavior), I find so much of what they say to be true. I have worked in many roles and lived in many places, and I have met many people along the way. Wherever I have found myself, I have reached out to those around me: To work with them. To collaborate with them. To accomplish great things together with them as a community.
Entrepreneurial leadership matters today. We live in a time of great challenges, and entrepreneurial leaders are best equipped to handle them.
Entrepreneurial leadership matters today. We live in a time of great challenges, and entrepreneurial leaders are best equipped to handle them. Yes, they know how to improvise and roll with the punches, how to handle uncertainty and complexity, but they also understand that their effectiveness comes from people, and the power of people working together.
We face many problems, but entrepreneurial leaders have the tools to solve them. Just look at what our Babson alumni are doing. After reading Babson’s perspective on entrepreneurial leadership, take time to read about how our community is tackling some of today’s problems. You’ll be inspired. I know I am.
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