On Thursday, January 30, the first of the 2025 CAB workshops was held, bringing together managers and professionals from various sectors with the goal of identifying trends, business opportunities, and organizational challenges to contribute to the managerial training of new talents, providing valuable insights and reflections.
The workshop opened with a brief speech by Dean Antonio Ragusa, who presented the new developments in the CAB, now enriched by 25 new members with experiences in prestigious companies such as Sony, Doctors Without Borders, META, Mediolanum, and SKY.
The workshop was structured into two distinct sessions, each with a specific but complementary focus. The first session explored leadership of the future, aiming to identify the key characteristics that future leaders will need to develop to tackle emerging challenges.
In the second session, the focus shifted to the innovative elements that should be included in an MBA program. This synergy provided a comprehensive view of how to prepare future leaders to successfully navigate a constantly evolving context, emphasizing the importance of a proactive and integrated approach.
From the discussion in the first session among participants, divided into small groups, a rich and varied landscape of the necessary competencies for effective leadership emerged.
The importance of active listening was highlighted as a fundamental pillar for establishing open and transparent communication. Leaders must recognize the needs and concerns of their teams, thereby fostering a collaborative work environment.
Emotional intelligence was identified as an essential quality, as it allows leaders to understand and manage emotions—both their own and those of others. This aspect is crucial not only for motivating team members but also for constructively addressing conflicts.
The significance of strategic adaptability was emphasized as a key competency for navigating a constantly evolving business landscape. Leaders must be able to respond promptly to changes, adjusting their strategies to meet new challenges.
Finally, participants underscored the value of a clear and inspiring vision. Leaders should possess the ability to outline common goals and engage the team in a shared project, creating a sense of belonging and motivation.
Another key point addressed during this session was the common mistakes that new managers make. Among these, excessive micromanagement was noted, leading to overly controlled management and a lack of trust in team members. This approach not only limits collaborators’ autonomy but can also stifle their creativity and initiative.
The lack of long-term vision also emerged as a significant error. New managers often focus too much on daily operations and lose sight of future strategic objectives. This lack of perspective can compromise their ability to develop effective strategies and guide the team toward sustainable results over time.
In the second session of the workshop, participants were invited to explore the innovative and essential aspects that an MBA program should integrate.
The majority of participants expressed the opinion that a more generalist approach could make an MBA more effective. Such a training path offers the opportunity to explore different areas and better understand where to specialize. Many emphasized that an MBA should serve as a bridge, allowing graduates to enter a specific field.
The discussion also included activities to make an MBA more innovative and competitive. From the conversation, it emerged that most participants consider it essential to implement shadowing experiences, enabling students to observe experienced professionals in their work environment.
In conclusion, the first CAB workshop of 2025 represented an important opportunity for dialogue among professionals, highlighting key themes related to leadership and innovation in MBA programs. The discussions illuminated the need to adapt to changes and develop fundamental competencies to address future challenges. This type of idea exchange is essential for building an increasingly effective and prepared learning environment.
