FROM FRONTLINES TO BOARDROOMS: LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION FROM UNDER THE MANGO TREE

Abstract

The authors (Bartkus, Professor Emerita at the University of Notre Dame; and Block, the George M. Cormie Chair of Management in the Alberta School of Business) write about the applicability of lessons learned in war zones and other extreme environments for today’s business challenges. Dr. Bartkus “founded the Business on the Frontlines Program seeking to harness the dynamism of business in rebuilding societies ravaged by conflict and deep poverty.” Case studies are provided, “from the dusty roads of Uganda to the high-stakes vaccine distribution efforts of J&J,” during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors contend that they “uncover a universal truth about leadership: the most powerful innovations often emerge from the most challenging environments. Whether facing armed middlemen or vaccine skepticism, leaders who can adapt frontline strategies to their unique contexts gain a critical edge in our increasingly complex and interconnected world.” The lessons include, in their words, Map the Entire Landscape and Follow the Money, Build Unconventional Partnerships, Fail fast and forward, and Get Your Boots Dirty. They believe that “effective leaders in challenging environments must look beyond traditional partners and stakeholders. This often means overlooking salient differences and digging deeper to understand the motivations and needs of all parties, including potential adversaries.”