Leadership: Seize the Moment - Master Course gets senior executives thinking

On October 22nd Brian Bacon, CEO and Chairman of Oxford Leadership Academy led a half-day Master Course in London on the theme of “Leadership: Seize the Moment”. The event was partnered and hosted by the British Red Cross in their offices in the heart of the capital.

I found the session absolutely inspirational. The stories and case studies brought it to life. The personal reflection at the end gave me a lot to think about.

Nancy Elkins, Senior Service Manager – Humanitarian Act, British Red Cross

The idea for the Master Course grew from Brian’s participation earlier this year in the British Red Cross’ annual Leadership Conference, as a consequence of which he was invited to join the BRC’s Research Advisory Group, a collection of visionary individuals whose role is to advise on how world events are likely to affect the multiple ways in which emergency response is delivered in the future.

“Leadership: Seize the Moment” gathered together over forty senior leaders from the wider business community as well as the British Red Cross itself. In his 90-minute address Brian Bacon explored a theme which is particularly pertinent in these turbulent times, and raised a number of crucial questions; in studying the links between leadership and character, it is clear that the ability to “seize the moment” is a common trait of successful people. When confronted by a serious challenge, why do some leaders act decisively and others procrastinate? Why are some paralyzed by fear or uncertainty when others, facing the exact same situation, act decisively and turn a crisis into opportunity?

Brian Bacon gets to the heart of the matter

It touched me on a very deep level. It made me realise that I cannot postpone those important conversations I should be having with myself first and foremost.

Lily Lapenna, CEO, MyBnk

The thoughts of some of the delegates...

The morning continued with group discussions centring on the current climate of crisis and its aftermath. The delegates shared their views and experience with one another around why it is that some organisations have taken the tough decisions necessary to consolidate and even emerge strengthened from the turbulence, while others are struggling to focus with clarity on the few essential things that make the biggest difference. Members of the Oxford Leadership Academy who were there to join the conversations included Vice President Cyril Legrand, Relationship Managers Alice Chilver and Johan Malmsten, and Fellows Gia Campari and Graham Bird.

Brian shared first-hand experience of working closely with some of the world’s top corporate and government leaders during times of crisis. In different ways, he said, they all have the capacity to “seize the moment” and make the tough choices that help their organizations confront and overcome even the most serious of challenges.

Hands-on, welcoming atmosphere. Brilliant input and intent. Comprehensive collection of key leadership traits.

Patrick Kinzler, Senior Change Management Consultant, BASF

 

         

Networking and sharing points of view

The delegates left the event highly delighted with the experience they had shared. As Michael Spencer, CEO of Sound Strategies, remarked,

I found this morning insightful, I found it refreshing, and I enjoyed the clarity of it. It certainly gave me some things to take away and to think about for the future.

Delegates were asked to evaluate the Master Course on a scale of 1 to 5. Evaluations graded the event at an exceptionally high 4.6.
 

October 2009