Racquel Harris Mason’s Post

Andrew Harrop and I had a fascinating conversation yesterday at our #LBS Executive MBA 15th Anniversary reunion about the crucial role of political understanding in leadership and business. Not only do political concepts offer a more nuanced lens for interpreting organizational and institutional structures, they also allow for a deeper analysis of power dynamics and justice in social systems beyond mere psychological and subjective analyses. It's certainly not enough to advocate for humble or compassionate leadership; we also need political statesmanship to properly situate individual stakeholders within the company and responsibly position the company within the broader political economy embedded in society. The notion that management or economics are value-free or apolitical is as popular as it is deeply flawed both theoretically and practically. Therefore, MBA programs would greatly benefit from expanding their focus beyond coaching and personal development to include a deeper understanding of ethics and politics. Otherwise, leaders' judgment will remain fixated on instrumental rationality, even if adorned with a veneer of psychological insight. It was fantastic to catch up with Sir Andrew Likierman, Francois Ortalo-Magne, Jean Pauphilet, Andrew J Scott, Lynda Gratton, Alex Edmans, Smruti Sriram, Daniel Afonso, Anna Smee, Ali Ahmed, Justin Hughes, George K., Brendan Quinn, Ian Jeffery, Julio Guijarro and many many others. #leadership #mba #bschools #management #transformation #leadershipsociety #politics #wisdom

I recently completed a certification program at UPenn's Wharton School. The key take away for me was to take charge of your responsibilities irrespective of your position in the organization. Excited to apply the insights gained to drive positive change. #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutivePresence"

I recently asked a very small number of people for a very big favour. To fulfil an #mba assignment, I chose to delve into my personal brand by seeking insights from a curated group of people who've significantly shaped, and continue to shape my journey. This exploration covered my leadership style and innate characteristics, both in my career and personal life. It’s incredibly reassuring to see some of my internal guiding principles identified through the optics of others, but as I switch on the news every morning, I have to be honest and say that I’m increasingly struggling with the governance of our world leaders. The intricacy of geopolitics is a complicated game, but whichever side of the table you sit on, it’s clear that we’ve deprioritised so many of the first principles of being a human being. It’s so hard to teach your kids about “kind hands” when the backdrop is 2024. Yet, I remain hopeful. If we can foster leadership that resonates with our core human values, perhaps we can influence the broader narrative. How do you align your personal values with the larger societal context, especially when teaching the next generation?" #Leadership #PersonalDevelopment #MBAJourney #GlobalAffairs #EthicalLeadership #HumanityFirst #Geopolitics #Education #FutureLeaders

Andrew Harrop and I had a fascinating conversation yesterday at our #LBS Executive MBA 15th Anniversary reunion about the crucial role of political understanding in leadership and business. Not only do political concepts offer a more nuanced lens for interpreting organizational and institutional structures, they also allow for a deeper analysis of power dynamics and justice in social systems beyond mere psychological and subjective analyses. It's certainly not enough to advocate for humble or compassionate leadership; we also need political statesmanship to properly situate individual stakeholders within the company and responsibly position the company within the broader political economy embedded in society. The notion that management or economics are value-free or apolitical is as popular as it is deeply flawed both theoretically and practically. Therefore, MBA programs would greatly benefit from expanding their focus beyond coaching and personal development to include a deeper understanding of ethics and politics. Otherwise, leaders' judgment will remain fixated on instrumental rationality, even if adorned with a veneer of psychological insight. It was fantastic to catch up with Sir Andrew Likierman, Francois Ortalo-Magne, Jean Pauphilet, Anna Smee, Ali Ahmed, Justin Hughes, Brendan Quinn, Ian Jeffery, Julio Guijarro and many many others. #leadership #mba #bschools #management #transformation #leadershipsociety #politics #wisdom

The mid-term season is here! As MBA students, we don't just manage businesses—we survive mid-terms! Balancing strategic thinking, management theories, and enough caffeine to power a small nation ☕️. This week, it’s all about balancing management theories with case studies that seem to be multiplying like they're in a business growth strategy. But hey, isn't that what we signed up for? From decision-making frameworks to group projects that test your negotiation skills (and patience), it’s a crash course in survival as much as it is in management. While I try to conquer these mid-terms, I’m honing the skills that’ll (hopefully) shape my future business leadership—and learning how to function on way too little sleep 🙃. To all my fellow MBA warriors, may your analysis be spot-on, your presentations smooth, and your coffee always run smoothly! #MBAMidterms #StrategicThinking #SendCoffee #MBALife

⚡️ Warning: Get ready to completely reimagine what shared governance in higher education can look like when infused with the {L} word. 🚀 Dr. RICK BAILEY, President of Southern Oregon University, brings a revolutionary perspective that will challenge what you thought you knew about driving campus engagement and decision-making. This transformative approach has earned national recognition for creating a culture of genuine collaboration and shared purpose at SOU. ☀️ 💡 While many leaders talk about breaking down silos, Dr. Bailey has masterfully woven together student success, faculty empowerment, and institutional excellence into a unified vision that's reshaping higher education leadership. I'm calling it a "Love-Based Leadership" framework, and there is nothing SOFT about it. 💥 🌟 From spearheading groundbreaking sustainability initiatives to fostering unprecedented levels of student engagement, Dr. Bailey demonstrates how leading with HEART can create measurable institutional success. His work proves that when love and governance align, extraordinary transformation follows. You will NOT want to miss this! 👇🏼 📅 Join us: 🎙️ The Show - with Joe 📌 Thursday, 10:00 AM CST 🔗 higherperformancegroup.com #highered #leadership #edleadership #innovation #highereducation #leadershipdevelopment #teamdevelopment #cancelaverage #SharedGovernance #TransformativeLeadership

🌟 Reflecting on a Transformative Leadership Encounter with Dr. Todd Pfannestiel 🌟 As part of our final project for the leadership course, my classmates and I had the extraordinary opportunity to interview Dr. Todd Pfannestiel, our university's esteemed president. This conversation was not just insightful—it was transformative, offering a real-world perspective on leadership that textbooks can rarely capture. Dr. Todd shared his wisdom and experience, illustrating a seamless blend of Directive and Supportive leadership styles: 🔹 Directive Leadership: Dr. Todd's clarity was remarkable. He eliminated ambiguity with precise instructions and set clear expectations, ensuring everyone was on the same page. His approach provided a strong foundation, especially in times of uncertainty. 🔹 Supportive Leadership: Beyond directives, Dr. Todd demonstrated genuine care. He addressed every question with patience, making sure faculty members felt heard and valued. He nurtured an environment ripe for spirited debates and collaborative problem-solving, where every voice mattered. One key takeaway from our discussion was the adaptability of Dr. Todd's leadership style: 📈 Initial Phase: When faculty members were uncertain about their roles and abilities, Dr. Todd's Directive approach laid down a clear path forward, explaining the challenges and setting solid expectations. 🤝 Transition Phase: As confidence grew, Dr. Todd shifted to a Supportive and Participatory style. This transition was seamless and inspiring, fostering a sense of competence and collaborative spirit among the faculty. 🎓 Task Characteristics: The context was the integration of the School of Arts and Science with the School of Education—a significant undertaking. Dr. Todd meticulously explained the task characteristics, providing a structured and comprehensible design of the challenge ahead. This experience has profoundly enriched my understanding of effective leadership. Witnessing Dr. Todd's dynamic approach in action was enlightening and will undoubtedly influence my future endeavors. Thank you, Dr. Todd Pfannestiel, for sharing your invaluable insights and for leading by example. This interview has been a highlight of my academic journey, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity. #UticaUniversity #MBA #Leadership #Education #UniversityLife #SupportiveLeadership #Collaboration #HigherEducation #StudentExperience #Inspiration #Gratitude #StudyAbroad #USA

⚡️ Warning: Get ready to completely reimagine what shared governance in higher education can look like when infused with the {L} word. 🚀 Dr. RICK BAILEY, President of Southern Oregon University, brings a revolutionary perspective that will challenge what you thought you knew about driving campus engagement and decision-making. This transformative approach has earned national recognition for creating a culture of genuine collaboration and shared purpose at SOU. ☀️ 💡 While many leaders talk about breaking down silos, Dr. Bailey has masterfully woven together student success, faculty empowerment, and institutional excellence into a unified vision that's reshaping higher education leadership. I'm calling it a "Love-Based Leadership" framework, and there is nothing SOFT about it. 💥 🌟 From spearheading groundbreaking sustainability initiatives to fostering unprecedented levels of student engagement, Dr. Bailey demonstrates how leading with HEART can create measurable institutional success. His work proves that when love and governance align, extraordinary transformation follows. You will NOT want to miss this! 👇🏼 📅 Join us: 🎙️ The Show - with Joe 📌 Thursday, 10:00 AM CST 🔗 higherperformancegroup.com #highered #leadership #edleadership #innovation #highereducation #leadershipdevelopment #teamdevelopment #cancelaverage #SharedGovernance #TransformativeLeadership

In LinkedIn’s most recent MBA ranking, Yale SOM placed number 16 out of 100 MBA programs globally, and 11th highest of the U.S. programs. This recognition reflects our commitment to educating leaders for business and society. We strive to equip students with the knowledge, the resources, and the networks to pursue positive and ambitious change. Read more: https://yalesom.io/4ecgSgC #LinkedInTopMBA 

I'm thrilled to share that I've just finished the Stanford LEAD Executive Business Program! What an incredible one-year journey it has been. I've gained invaluable insights, forged meaningful connections, and honed crucial skills that will shape my future endeavors. Some key highlights for me include: 1. Enhancing strategic thinking and decision-making abilities. 2. Mastering the art of leading innovative projects. 3. Adopting practical strategies to drive organizational change. 4. Engaging with inspiring leaders from diverse backgrounds worldwide. 5. Acquiring techniques for impactful and persuasive communication. and much more... I'm deeply grateful to everyone who supported and guided me throughout this journey — the Stanford faculty and course facilitators, my dedicated cohort and team members, mentors, and especially my manager at Adobe. This program has significantly propelled my professional growth and ignited a newfound passion for innovation. I'm eager to apply these learnings in practice. Here's to continuous learning and relentless pursuit of innovation! 🚀 #StanfordLEAD #ContinuousLearning #Innovation #Leadership #CorporateInnovation #GrowthMindset