4 Lessons for New Global Leaders

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Erika James assumed leadership of the Wharton School amidst a pandemic — a crisis of global proportions. 

I relocated to Philadelphia after choosing a place to live online, and I was meeting my colleagues virtually over Zoom. I was two months into the job before I was able to take an in-person tour of the campus — and as I now end the first 90 days in my role, I can essentially count on one hand the number of colleagues, not to mention students, with whom I have been able to meet in person. To say this has been a truly unique onboarding experience would be an understatement.

Dean Erika James reflects on the start of her tenure as Dean of Wharton – 90 days into it as of September 28, 2020 – and offers four lessons for new global leaders.

Free Speech In Our World?

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The Wharton India Economic Forum (WIEF) withdrew its invitation to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to deliver a live video keynote address. The organizers of the event, however, are determined to arrange another platform less publicized for him to address students at the prestigious American business school.

WIEF is an annual student-organized event hosted by the Wharton School, which is part of the University of Pennsylvania.

The reason for the withdrawal of Modi at the main event?

"We find it astonishing that any academic and student body at the University of Pennsylvania can endorse ideas about economic development that are based on the systematic oppression of minority populations, whether in India or elsewhere," and pledged to protest Modi's appearance.

Whatever happened to free speech in our world?

Read the entire article:  "Dumped, Modi may get another Wharton platform to go global"