The world craves better leadership, and there is no shortage of books, sound bites and so-called experts on the topic. Yet ongoing issues in business and other sectors around the world indicate that the problem of leadership has not been solved.
Somehow, the world seems to have forgotten what good leadership looks like.
Since the inception of the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership in September 2010, we have been at the center of leadership thought, inquiry, and education into what makes a better leader. Beginning with our multi-disciplinary examination of the leadership failures and successes relating to the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, we have made research, teaching and outreach on leader character our distinct differentiator in the vast leadership space.
The Institute is an integral part of Ivey, and as such, is able to amplify Ivey’s mission "We develop leaders who think globally, act strategically, and address critical issues facing organizations and society, through impactful research and transformative learning experiences." Through our focus on three pillars— research, teaching and outreach — we contribute to the cultivation of business leaders for the 21st century through the development of leader character.
Leader character is ingrained into our Institute’s mission and vision:
Mission
The Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership is at the forefront of knowledge creation in the leader character area. Our research is integrated into Ivey’s degree and Executive Education programs so students are able to assess and increase their own leadership capacities and exercise character-based leadership. Through a wide range of outreach activities, the Institute exposes leaders in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors to our work, so they may enhance their effectiveness and weave leader character development into their organizations.
Vision
We aspire to have a deep impact on individuals, organizations and societies through the creation and application of new knowledge on leader character.
We aim to:
- Be recognized by researchers and practitioners as a globally leading Institute for research, teaching and outreach regarding the awareness, assessment and development of leader character.
- Elevate the importance of character alongside competence in the practice of leadership.
- Develop global citizens who have strength of character, strive to make a difference, and contribute to the flourishing of teams, organizations, communities, and societies.
