Purpose-Driven Leader
Define "Purpose"
Purpose is not just a slogan; it’s how to “show up in relationships” via commitments and guardrails when things get messy.
According to what we learnt in class, "purpose as an ongoing practice of responsiveness—attending to consequences, naming responsibilities, and holding tensions rather than solving them away".
What was the response of the first responders we met at the emergency center when being asked whether it is possible to think in systems in an emergency situation.
Their response was that in these fast-paced, critical emergency situations, systems thinking is no longer possible because decisions need to be taken quickly. This is why they have their emergency plans readily documented and why they are performing regular practice excercises, so that in an emergency situation, everyone is well prepared and the situation is handled as best as possible.
What are the three main types of machine learning
The three main types of machine learning are supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning. In supervised learning, algorithms are trained on labeled data to make predictions based on known outcomes. Unsupervised learning works with unlabelled data, finding patterns and groupings without fixed categories. Finally, reinforcement learning is the system learning by trial and error, receiving feedback through rewards or pentalities for its actions (self-driving cars).
Name 3 factors that can change the way message is delivered and received?
Possible answers: verbal cues: tone and pace; non verbal cues: pauses, actions, eye expression
This is significant because it demonstrates how communication involve more than what we said; how we convey a message can impact how people understand it.
Create a plan to improve your emotional intelligence. What steps would you include?
The plan should involve observing who is perceived as being emotionally intelligent, and why? What are the micro-interactions in day-to-day life they portray? Start with understanding those and go from there to create action plans for being observed, gearing up, applying, and reviewing.
What is "Guardrails" and why does it matter for leaders?
Guardrails are the "bumpers on the road" that leaders use to protect a second value (like safety or innovation) while acting on a first (like access or affordability).
How can we make sure that measures taken are in the best interest of everyone involved in the system?
Systems are driven by people after all. Therefore, the best way to improve systems and their responses to interventions is if everyone is questioning their habits individually and assess whether they work in the interest of the common good or whether their personal actions actually harm others in the systems one self operates in.
How does AI differ from traditional IT systems?
Unlike traditional IT systems, AI is designed to continuously learn and adapt over time. This means that instead of relying on fixed rules or programming, AI systems improve their performance according to the new data and feedback they receive.
Fill in the blank: Business is the best platform for ____
Multiple choice: A. wealth, B. change, C. technology, D. competition
A. Business is the best platform for change. Since businesses touch millions of people daily, they are powerful tools for spreading new ideas and practices. In addition, businesses operate in interdependent systems and every choice they make has an impact on the system as a whole.
What are the 4 pillars of emotional intelligence according to Goleman
Self Awareness
Self Management
Empathy
Putting it all together skillfully
Why does responsible leadership options are BOTH/AND but not either-or?
"Both/and" option uses guardrails to balance legitimate stakeholder claims, avoid harm from false trade-offs, and stay adaptive as conditions change. On the other hand, "Either-or" option privileges one that would create “monism” and downstream harm.
Why do we talk about interventions and not about solutions in the context of systems thinking?
Society tends to always look for solutions that solve a problem completely in one go. However, often these kind of measures do not exist.
When applying the logic of systems thinking, measures taken can only be considered as interventions. This wording should illustrate that within a system, the measure taken might change part of it for the better as intended. At the same time though it is very likely that it will worsen a situation in other parts of the system.
What's one common barrier to AI execution in organizations?
Common barriers to AI are a lack of quality data, cost, and vendor dependency. Without reliable, clean, and accessible data, even the most advanced algorithms cannot function effectively, which can lead to poor outcomes or biased results. Costs can create a reliance on poor data. Finally, since many organizations rely on external vendors for their data, it can come with risks around control, flexibility, and long-term sustainability.
Explain why might innovation be trapped when data is trapped?
(trapped referring to isolation & inaccessible)
Innovation. Having AI and technology doesn't guarantee innovation. AI is merely a tool to assist in data collection or follow-up plan implementation; innovation instead arises from utilizing integrated data flows such as connecting information across systems. Therefore, it shows the relationship that trapped data = trapped insights = trapped innovation.
Why is it important for leaders to have emotional intellgence? Mention 4 key traits it improves/provides
4 example traits:
trust
innovative (open to new and understanding different opinions)
conflict management
team performance (not overlooking individuals needs)
In essence:
Self-awareness, self regulation, empathy and social skills (combining the three)
Name one of the four “grammars” people use to make sense of purpose (e.g., how they decide what matters).
"Either Answers are correct:
1. Goals-centric (utilitarian): Purpose = maximize aggregate good. Generally, in this grammar, people may ask: “What outcome helps the most people?”
2. Duties-centric (deontic): Purpose = uphold non-negotiable duties/rights. Generally, in this grammar, people may ask: “What rule must not be violated?”
3. Character-centric (virtue): Purpose = express and cultivate who we are at our best. Generally, in this grammar, people may ask: “What would a person with sound judgment, integrity, courage, and humanity do here?”
4. Relational-responsive (Ubuntu): Purpose = answer to concrete others in interdependence. Generally, in this grammar, people may ask: “Who is before me now, what do I owe in this relation, and how do I keep multiple goods alive?”"
Give an example that is easy to understand and highlights the importance of systems thinking.
The example used in class was related to the USA's COVID-19 vaccine handling policies.
The US was among the first countries to receive a considerable amount of vaccines for their citizens. Eventually, there was more supply than demand in the US whilst other countries were still struggling to procure urgently needed supplies, e.g. in Africa. However, the US rather let vaccines expire than donating them to Africa.
What followed was the emergence of the COVID-Delta mutation in Africa. It rapidly spreaded globally. After all the country with the most Delta-related deaths was the US. If systems thinking was applied properly here, the US authorities would have potentially revised their vaccine handling policies.
What's one question you'd put on an "AI Execution Checklist"?
Potential answers: Does this AI project align with our overall business strategy? Do we have sufficient quality data to support this application? Who is responsible for the accountability of this AI system once it is deployed? How will we monitor and retrain the model over time? What are the ethical implications? How will this tool impact employees' roles and workflows?
How do you solve this equation? AI + story =??
AI tells the what and story tells the why. For instance, AI tells us what happened while story tells us why it matters. Together they give us the what and why - which leaders can then use to guide what's next. Putting it simply, AI + story = the what and the why = the way forward
What is the help conundrum?
The help conundrum is the challenge of offering support in a way that helps without undermining the other person’s independence or competence.
From the Novo Nordisk case: when the CFO’s numbers can’t decide “what matters,” who (or how) should decide the moral ordering of values?
It should be Novo Nordisk's leadership, who are guided by "Novo Nordisk Way" and explicit responsibilities to stakeholders. They make the moral ordering of values by using commitments and guardrails to advance access of Ozempic while protecting safety, R&D, long-term viability amid pricing, capacity, and policy constraints.
Why do we often not understand the immediate impact of an action in the system in which it is taken in?
Usually, the response of a measure/intervention taken in a system provides immediate response at the spot where it is taken. However, further responses triggered in big interconnected systems might be delayed, so that often the overall impact of an intervention onto the system only becomes visible over time.
Why should managers care about ethics even if the AI "works" technically?
Potential Answers: : Ethical failures damage trust, reputation, and long-term success. Technical success does not guarantee fair, responsible or sustainable outcomes. It can lead to accurate predictions, but it can damage an organization's reputation and erode trust if it produces results that are biased, violates privacy, or harms certain groups.
We visited both Saleforces (known as the #1 AI CRM company) and Soulpepper Threatre (known as Toronto's largest non-profit theatre company), what connections were drawn between the two?
Both explored the value of narrative and storytelling. Salesforce shared that people to take action requires more than just data analysis and insightful dashboards. Soulpepper enhanced the concept with hands on exercises to portray how storytelling transforms information to give meaning, thus turning information into action. Therefore, storytelling makes people care and make changes.
What is the difference between empathy and sympathy?
Empathy concerns connecting with a person beyond purely acknowledging their emotions. It also entails feeling with them; while sympathy is simply feeling for someone but not with them.