Jim, Wanjun Lei’s Post

If you are in any #leadership role in #academia, most likely you have to answer regularly the question of "What is #societal #impact of your department/team?". It's usually asked by those who decide on #funding, so it's the one we better answer well. Yet it often feels like "Go I know not whither and fetch I know not what"... Have you been there? In this short piece for the Times Higher Education, we provide a roadmap that can help you in this quest and figure out together with your staff and stakeholders ❓ what societal impact means for you, ❓ how to measure it, and ❓ how much should be spent on its measurement and communicating the value Check it here https://lnkd.in/d9rx-Fc4 Thank you Olga Ryazanova and Peter McNamara for this collaboration! It draws on the combination of our research expertise with our experiences in different administration roles and I hope you find it useful. This practice-oriented piece is based on our paper published in the Academy of Management Learning and Education, you can find it here if you fancy reading more https://lnkd.in/dVZhJ9dP (if you do not have access, email me and I will share a copy). The original illustration is by Ivan Bilibin (1876-1942), called "Vasilisa the Beautiful at the Hut of Baba Yaga". I thought it reflects the gravity and challenging nature of our quest for #societal #impact (and I hope it made you smile) Maynooth University School of Business Maynooth University #research #socialimpact #businessschools #researchimpact #researchmatters #academicleadership https://lnkd.in/d9rx-Fc4

Viega goes Harvard - Academic recognition for 125 successful years 🏫 Why is Viega being studied at Harvard Business School? Because our family-owned company in Attendorn, Germany, is not only surviving, but also thriving in its fourth and fifth generations. And that sets a precedent Harvard University has funded a study to examine how Viega's strong values and family leadership have led to its continued success. 🚀 Today, we are proud that Viega is not only present in buildings around the world, but also in the lecture halls of one of the world's most prestigious universities. Together with Harvard University, we share a core belief: The importance of sharing knowledge. At Viega, education is a top priority and we continue this tradition from Attendorn to Harvard. #viega #125years #connectedinquality #ViegaWorldwide

to God be the Glory...My Doctoral Degree study in Business Management and Administration Convocation, May the blessings be🤗👩🏼🎓 If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words is this post worth? Here are three myths my classmates and I overcame: Myth #1: The Hardest Thing We’ve Ever Done Myth #2: No-one will read our work Myth #3: A doctoral degree isn't meant to change the world Our responsibility as scholars is not just to conduct research but to explore ways in which our findings can be applied to uplift communities, address inequalities, and contribute to the socio-economic development. #Doctoraldegree #AcademicJourney #TransformativeExperience #Gratitude #ImpactfulResearch #personalgrowth #leadership #management #strategy #innovation ‏#doctoral #doctoraldegree #momlife #EdLeadership #education #academicMama #futuredoctor

I will be representing India at the Harvard HPAIR Conference 2025. 🇺🇸🇮🇳 There are institutions, and then there is Harvard—a name etched into the fabric of history. Harvard doesn’t just represent a university; it represents a legacy of thought leadership, excellence, and unrelenting progress. To walk the same halls, contribute to the same conversations, and join the ranks of thinkers who have shaped the world is not just an honor—it’s a calling. The HPAIR Harvard Conference is where the brightest minds gather to solve the challenges of today and reimagine tomorrow. To sit at the table with fellow changemakers is to embrace what Harvard has always stood for: The courage to question. The wisdom to innovate. The resolve to lead. As I prepare to bleed Crimson, I bring with me the grit of building HyperxFit, a vision recognized and refined under the mentorship of NSRCEL-IIM Bangalore, Asia’s finest business accelerator. I bring with me the ambition of a generation determined to define the future and the pride of representing my country on a global stage. Harvard is not a destination. It is a beginning—one that demands you think sharper, act bolder, and give back relentlessly. To the Crimson community, I am here to learn, to lead, and to honor the ideals that Harvard embodies. Because once you’re Crimson, you carry it for life. Harvard, let’s get to work. Go Crimson. #HarvardHPAIR2025 #HPAIRConference #HPAIRHarvard #HarvardHCONF #HPAIR2025 #HarvardLeadership #HPAIRGlobalImpact #HPAIRDelegates #HarvardConference #HPAIRChangemakers #GenerationalTransitions #HarvardInnovation #HarvardCommunity #HarvardHPAIRConference #HarvardVisionaries #HPAIRFutureLeaders #GlobalLeadershipSummit #HPAIRHarvard2025 #HPAIR2024

I am incredibly grateful to have taken part in the Berkeley Changemaker course “Sustainable Capitalism in the Nordics?”. Thank you to my amazing professor Robert Strand for making this the most engaging and enlightening course I have so far taken! Through the discussion based model of the course, I shared many insightful conversations with my peers, broadening my perspective on capitalism, sustainability, and the corporate American business model. What particularly stood out to me was the unique Nordic business model where stakeholder interest and sustainability are prioritized, an approach very different from a shareholder profit motivated model. A prime example of this is Novo Nordisk, a company that takes the Triple Bottom Line approach to business: balancing financial, social, and environmental considerations. In this course sustainability is defined as, “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” We emphasized the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a comprehensive framework for sustainable progress. As the course came to a wrap, I pledged my commitment to SDG #12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Monitoring my own consumption, investing in long-term reusable products, and doing research to shop from sustainable brands are ways that I individually make an effort to responsibly consume. In the future, I plan to remain committed by colllaborating with organizations that prioritize sustainability and are dedicated to fostering responsible production practices. The circular economy movement will not be easy and will require collective effort from individuals, corporations, and governments. However, as the famous James Baldwin quote goes, “not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” Beyond this course, I look forward to further engagement with the Nordic Center at UC Berkeley & the Center for Responsible Business at Berkeley Haas and hope to see continued collaboration between California and the Nordics. Heja sustainability!

It’s puzzling that leaders in education and research, who have navigated similar academic challenges, often stay silent about the issues facing today’s researchers. Despite their deep knowledge of the research ecosystem, the growing corporatization of academia seems to attract them more, distracting them from these critical concerns. Modern metrics like #university_rankings, the #hindex, and lists of #highlycitedresearchers now significantly influence the academic landscape and have become #performance #benchmarks in (non)university research institutes. Yet, reflecting on prestigious institutions such as #Leuven, #Oxford, #Cambridge, #Paris, #Bologna, #Padua, #NaplesFederico, #Heidelberg, and #Vienna — established over 600 years ago — reveals that they have thrived for centuries and continued their shining legacy without these contemporary metrics. Why is there such a strong emphasis on these metrics today? I am aware of notion that leaders are advocating behind-the-scenes is often mentioned, but such advocacy to me remains unseen. If it was truly impactful, we would witness more tangible actions addressing these concerns. This ongoing generalization of silence raises a crucial question: What will it take to bridge this gap and foster meaningful dialogue across the ranks? #Education #Research #LeadershipChallenges #LeadershipGaps #UniversityRankings #HighlyCitedResearchers #hindex

Dreams manifest into reality when pursued with unwavering passion and dedication! I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed professors at University Canada West who have profoundly shaped my academic and professional trajectory. Their expertise, steadfast support, and relentless encouragement have been pivotal. I am particularly indebted to Professor Clay Crocker for his captivating lectures in Small Business Management. His pedagogical approach, entrepreneurial acumen, and insights into sustainable business practices have significantly influenced my business ethos. Moreover, I am profoundly grateful to Professor Ahmad Salman for his innovative leadership curriculum. By integrating real-life examples, films, TED talks, and literature, he rendered complex concepts both relatable and engaging. His mentorship has been of immeasurable value. My sincere thanks also go to Professor @Sherry Campbell for her pragmatic insights in Strategic Management, which seamlessly bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Lastly, to Professor Erik Korolenko, I express my deep appreciation for his introduction to cloud computing and machine learning. His self-paced practice mode and technical tutorials by industry experts have broadened my technical horizons and endowed me with indispensable skills for the future. As I anticipate the next chapter of my career, I carry forth the knowledge, skills, and values imparted by this illustrious institution. Here’s to the future and the boundless possibilities it holds! #MBAJourney #Gratitude #UCW #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #CareerGrowth

I was delighted to meet up with, my friend, Séamas Kelly (https://lnkd.in/gi9n4Cah), whom I first met at my first PROS in 2015. Séamas presented on a paper he wrote with (1) his colleague Camilla Noonan (whom I also met at the PROS in 2015 and who has invited me to guest lecture in her courses at University College, Dublin) AND (2) my friend from graduate school Sean Kelly. Sean is famous for writing All Things Shining with Bert Dreyfus, and Sean has just been appointed the Dean of Arts and Humanities at Harvard. Wow! I can’t wait for Sean to go public with his plan to save the humanities. (He does have one and it lines up well with Leadership as Masterpiece Creation.) Séamas’s talk was one of the most closely reasoned of the conference. I love closely reasoned papers. Each sentence shines a bright light on the previous sentence and paragraph, and the meaning changes as you progress. The effect is “who’d have thought of that” sentence by sentence. Séamas started out as an engineer, and I think his engineering skill lies behind his papers. He described a culture change where a company went from a traditional, functionally divided, siloed organization with tough leaders to one where cross-trained teams helped team members develop their own voice and character in their work both in the company and in charitable projects. It struck me as a case where people learned the practices that Michel Foucault describes as caring for the self. In the ancient world, according to Foucault, one took care of oneself by gaining mastery over one’s desires and personality much as one gained mastery at delivering speeches or at combat. It’s an amazing case. Why do I make a big deal of it? In chapter 9 of Leadership as Masterpiece Creation, we draw on (and advance) the same caring-for-the-self practices that ruled the day from 400 BCE to 600 CE. Séamas, Camilla, and Sean discovered a company where virtually everyone is learning to make their personal style a masterpiece. I could not be happier about that. #LeadershipasMasterpiece #humanity #moralleadership

Here's to you Mrs. > Dr. Robinson! Celebrating a significant milestone - I am now Lesley Robinson, PhD! 🎓 After a decade of dedication, I defended my PhD Dissertation at Colorado State University's CSU School of Education with the support of my extraordinary advisor, Jody Donovan, and my doctoral committee: @Louise Jennings, Lumina Albert, and Sharon Anderson. My heartfelt gratitude extends to my life's cheerleaders - Lara Searcy, David M. Robinson, and Clara - for their unwavering support. I loved sharing this accomplishment with my 6yo, who declared that she will be the next Dr. Robinson and wants to be a vet for wild animals. This journey has been an exploration of leadership and identity development, culminating in my evolution as a researcher, scholar, and entrepreneurial leader. My study emphasizes the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset within higher education's cultural context. It outlines how an entrepreneurial leader empowers others to act confidently, solve problems, navigate uncertainties, and embrace risks, all while understanding motivations through identities, strengths, and values. Reflecting on Noel Tichy's words, "Leadership is autobiographical. If you don’t know who you are as a person, I don’t know who you are as a leader". Here’s to embracing this next chapter (and more free time!) with a spirit of leadership and innovation! 🌟 #PhD #LeadershipDevelopment #EntrepreneurialMindset #HigherEducation #CSU #DoctoralJourney #Research #Scholarship

In fall 2025, Trevecca will introduce its second Ph.D. program with the launch of a Doctor of Philosophy in leadership studies. https://ow.ly/FiCz50Upva0.