How can we change the system to foster empathy in leadership? How do we develop a sense of community in the workplace? What are the qualities to look for in a good leader? These are some of the questions Bernie Banks, director of the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University, answered during a community dialogue event with local leaders from the Houston area Oct. 30.
“My intent is to engage all of you in a conversation to explore what’s top of mind as you think about the topic of leadership,” Banks said in opening to the 40 attendees at the luncheon. “Companies and organizations are engaged in a pitched battle to find better leaders. The need for effective leaders is great, and Rice is trying to address that need."
Organized by the Multicultural Community Relations team in the Rice Office of Public Affairs, , the on-campus event welcomed representatives from the nonprofit and educational sectors to connect with one another and learn about the importance of leadership development. Banks, a noted expert on leadership and organizational change, gave a presentation and emphasized the importance of ethical leadership while introducing the Doerr Institute’s mission to develop leaders through empirically measured programs.
“We exist to ensure that Rice prepares all of its young talent to go out into the world and lead successfully,” Banks said. “One of the things that makes the Doerr Institute unique is that we measure everything we do. We want everyone to understand, regardless of the role you occupy, you have the opportunity to lead. It’s a core part of the university’s charter.”
Banks highlighted the institute’s free coaching, workshops and excursions for students, stressing the need for more refined leadership development in higher education.
The discussion also touched on the challenges of leadership, the impact of context on leadership effectiveness and the necessity of fostering empathy and ethical values in leadership education.
“There are countless definitions of this phenomenon we call leading, and not one of them has ever said ‘must be in charge,’” he said. “Leadership is not an authority-based construct. It is an influence-based construct.”
Banks then turned the attention to the audience members, who participated in a question-and-answer session based on how the aspect of leadership affects them in their work environments and what can be done to better find, develop and maintain quality leaders. Representatives from organizations like the NAACP, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the American Leadership Forum and many others engaged in the discussion.
“The purpose of the community dialogue luncheon is to gather community leaders to discuss social issues that affect the city and to show what resources the university has to offer to create thriving communities in Houston and beyond,” said David Medina, director of multicultural community relations.
“Bernie Banks gave a very informative and engaging presentation about how to develop student leaders. We had a lively discussion, and everyone was delighted and thankful for having the opportunity to participate in such an educational luncheon.”
To learn more about the Doerr Institute at Rice, click here.