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Leadership Development Series

The Emerson Leadership Institute at Saint Louis University’s Chaifetz School of Business proudly offers the Dignity-Based Leadership Development Series. Rooted in the Jesuit tradition of educating the whole person, this series is designed to prepare participants to make a positive impact on the world.

SLU's Dignity-Based Leadership Development Series aligns with key principles of Jesuit education, including:

  1. Caring for the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — while contributing to the greater good;
  2. Striving for “the magis” (more), which leads to excellence in all pursuits; and
  3. Becoming “men and women for and with others.”
Participants seated at tables in a classroom setting, with a presenter standing in the front of the room delivering a presentation.
Edward Jones Dean Jackson Nickerson gave a presentation on formulating the right problem to the business school’s faculty and staff on Nov. 1, 2024.

This year-long program is designed to empower individuals to enhance their leadership capabilities through dignity-centered principles and practices, ensuring that attendees can implement what they learn directly into their roles. The program consists of in-person retreats carefully crafted to help participants discover their leadership potential; cultivate leadership skills; build cohesive, high-performing teams; and foster a culture of dignity and belonging. Key components include:

  • Research Symposiums: Highlighting the latest research findings from renowned leadership scholars on challenges and trends in leadership.
  • Speakers and Panels: Bringing leaders together in a focused environment to reflect on and discuss leadership practices.
  • Professional Development Workshops: Hands-on sessions where participants apply leadership principles and tools to real-world scenarios within their teams and organizations.
  • Conferences and Networking: A psychologically safe space offering numerous opportunities for participants to connect with leaders and peers, share insights and collaborate on leadership projects.

2024-2025 Series

The Dignity-Based Leadership Development Series for the 2024-2025 academic year launched on Sept. 25, 2024, with a professional development workshop on fostering dignity and belonging. Led by Jackson Nickerson, Ph.D., Edward Jones Dean of the Chaifetz School of Business and a renowned scholar in the field, this workshop set the tone for a year of impactful dignity-based leadership development opportunities.

Participants seated at tables in a classroom setting, with a presenter standing in the front of the room delivering a presentation.
Edward Jones Dean Jackson Nickerson delivered a presentation on fostering dignity and belonging to business school faculty and staff on Sept. 25, 2024.

Schedule

  • Sept. 25, 2024: Professional Development Workshop — Fostering Dignity and Belonging
  • Oct. 11, 2024: Second Iteration of the Professional Development Workshop — Fostering Dignity and Belonging
  • Nov. 1, 2024: Professional Development Workshop — Formulating the Right Problem
  • Nov. 26, 2024: Third Iteration of the Professional Development Workshop — Fostering Dignity and Belonging
  • Jan. 24, 2025: Panel Discussion — A Dialogue on Dimensions of Dignity
  • Feb. 14, 2025: Leading Change from the Middle
  • Feb. 28, 2025: Recognition for Dignity
  • March 24–28, 2025: Leading for Dignity Leadership Week

For more information or inquiries about upcoming events within the Dignity-Based Leadership Development Series, contact Jintong Tang, Ph.D., director of the Emerson Leadership Institute, at jintong.tang@slu.edu.