In any event, school reunions are always about the passing of time, almost by definition. As such, this reunion certainly didn’t disappoint and came at a welcome time.
Reunion – A Cocktail of Experiences
I found that the weekend featured three distinct types of experiences:
- checking out the state of the art of teaching in today’s connected world as well as the evolution of the school;
- reconnecting with a group of heterogenous friends with whom I passed a most intense and enjoyable time, those 25 years ago;
- unexpected chats with individuals that I didn’t necessarily know back then (including from the other promotions on hand for their reunion).
Between the celebration of 50 years of women at INSEAD (the first woman attended in the revolutionary year of 1968) and a few lectures from star professors, there were some outstanding and stimulating points.
School with a Purpose
A new form of leadership
Secondly, there were many presentations and discussions about a new type of leadership needed today. Professor Gianpiero Petriglieri was, for me, the standout lecturer of the weekend. Petriglieri talked about the need for leaders to be both engineer and novelist: that’s to say, being technically capable, all the while embodying the cultural and shared values.
Brilliant equation for a great leader: novelist and engineer. Technically capable and embodying the cultural and shared values. @gpetriglieri #insead #leadership pic.twitter.com/7nBIbhg7ta
— Minter Dial Speaker & Author 🧜♂️ (@mdial) June 30, 2018
I was, of course, particularly drawn to the idea of a novelist in the form of being the chief storyteller. Moreover, a recurring theme about great leaders in today’s climate was the ability to embrace diversity–of thought, background, sex, ethnicity or culture.
Diversity isn't about being politically correct. It's about performance. #diversity #INSEAD Click To TweetThe biggest asset leaders are most in need…
Human over digital
A third conclusion of my weekend among my peers and other reuniting INSEAD graduates is the overwhelming need for human connection. No one can doubt that technology has brought many great advantages to our society, but there is a patent need to connect in the flesh. If INSEAD also promoted the use of its own app (Whova) for digital connections and communications at the reunion, the heart of the weekend is in the deep conversations and intimate exchanges. Of course, part of the need reflects our age and state in life. But, I do believe there is an growing undercurrent of a need to disconnect from technology and reconnect with our human side, kids, teenagers, adults and leaders alike.
In any event, attending a school reunion may at times be 'inconvenient' or uncomfortable, but the reward in the reunited friendships and unfettered conversations is wholly refreshing and deeply rewarding. Click To Tweet
Your thoughts?
Here’s my article from the 15-year reunion at INSEAD!
Dear Minter,
Thank you for this beautiful article.
As you said, the key feature of a 25 years reunion has to do with time. It is in such situations that you “physically” realize that time is linear.
As far as I am concerned it was emotionally straining in its beauty. It allowed me to deeply think about my past choices and, more importantly, it gave me enormous food for thought for the future decisions to make. Lastly I agree with you: we need more human than digital touch. Spending quality time with people you respect and love will never be replaced by any AI we could create and will leave you more enriched and energized than anything else.
Thanks for your comments Massimo. I do believe that tech can do marvellous things, like bring us together when we can’t be in the same place, etc…. and that will be all the more so as our bodies start to travel less. In the meantime, let’s make sure to stay connected… It was graet to see you. Come visit in London! O ci vediamo a Roma!
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