This semester, the Siegfried Fellows program brought two extraordinary leaders to campus: Vera Leung, Content and Creative Senior Director at the International Rescue Committee, and Jim Clifton, Chairman of Gallup. Both engagements offered transformative perspectives on leadership, creativity, and decision-making, leaving a lasting impact on students and faculty alike.
Vera Leung: Leading with Empathy and Storytelling
Vera Leung’s visit was a masterclass in the power of storytelling as a leadership tool. As a cause-driven creative leader, Leung emphasized the importance of crafting narratives rooted in dignity and humanity. Her work at the International Rescue Committee ensures that every data point reflects a human story, reminding leaders to center empathy in their decision-making.
Leung shared how storytelling can empower not only individuals but also entire systems. “The most compelling stories center on people’s humanity,” she explained. “Leaders don’t just amplify voices; they listen deeply and tell the truth with care.” This insight resonated deeply with attendees, particularly those aspiring to purpose-driven careers.
Kayla Barr, a student who had the chance to connect with Leung over lunch, reflected on the experience: “Hearing her story and achievements was truly inspiring and gave me valuable guidance as I plan to pursue a similar path in the future.”
Jim Clifton: The Science of Leadership Decisions
Jim Clifton brought a data-driven perspective to leadership, drawing from his decades of experience at Gallup. Known for innovations like The Gallup Path and the Gallup World Poll, Clifton underscored the importance of using metrics to guide decisions. He challenged attendees to think critically about how leaders can eliminate uncertainty by asking better questions and trusting data-informed intuition.
“Great leaders don’t guess; they measure,” Clifton stated during his talk. He encouraged students to focus on clarity by understanding what people truly need and using data to illuminate their path forward. This approach is particularly relevant in today’s rapidly evolving world, where artificial intelligence and analytics are reshaping industries.
Javier Cruz-Mendoza captured the essence of Clifton’s message: “I enjoyed how we spoke about our own goals to further humanity and thinking about the near future and the use of AI to help us in our leadership and entrepreneurial ventures later on in life.”
Key Leadership Takeaways
Both engagements highlighted essential qualities for effective leadership:
- Empathy as a Foundation for Leadership: Leung’s emphasis on storytelling rooted in dignity reminds leaders that behind every strategy or decision is a human impact.
- Data-Driven Clarity: Clifton demonstrated that bold decisions must be informed by rigorous measurement and analysis, not guesswork.
These visits exemplify the Siegfried Fellows program’s mission to connect students with visionary leaders who inspire thoughtful action and meaningful change. By engaging with leaders like Vera Leung and Jim Clifton, students are equipped with tools to navigate complex challenges while staying true to their values.
About Horn Entrepreneurship
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