Piotr Matecki, an Executive MBA (EMBA) candidate at emba X, shares his perspectives on the importance of soft skills in empowering business leaders to effectively navigate challenging situations and manage crises.
The notion of a business leader is conventionally epitomized by an autocratic figure orchestrating operations from the top. Today the expectations placed upon leaders have evolved drastically.
Contemporary leaders are expected to excel in their technical fields while managing teams, resolving conflicts, and making a positive impact. The paradigm shift to a greater emphasis on purpose presents an urgent need for leaders to recalibrate their approaches.
Amidst the recognition of this paradigm shift, many business schools are now giving more importance to nurturing soft skills in their MBA and Executive MBA (EMBA) programs. The emba X program offered by ETH Zürich and the University of St.Gallen stands out for blending together leadership and technological expertise in an unparalleled way. This program places a strong emphasis on empowering leaders with essential soft skills and crisis management capabilities.
The program is a “perfect combination for me between technology and leadership,” says emba X student Piotr Matecki, the Head of Professional Services Banking at NCR Corporation. Piotr finds the program caters to a new age of leadership. (00:30)
Although technical skills can be acquired from textbooks and lectures, soft skills like empathy necessitate practice and introspection for comprehension. Piotr realized the significance of empathy in leadership through the self-reflection encouraged by emba X.
“One of my weaknesses was in empathy. From the time that we had the lecture about cognitive abilities and soft skills… I’ve started thinking about what the other thinks, how the other feels, and this is something that I would say changed my life. [It] changed my approach, not only the business life but also to private life,” Piotr says. (01:31)
Empathy empowers leaders to understand their team members’ perspectives better. It helps create a more cohesive, trusting, and engaged team. This emotional bond becomes essential during a crisis or in a challenging environment where fear and uncertainty heighten tensions.
By empathizing with their team’s concerns and fears, leaders can offer more tailored support, effectively reducing anxiety and boosting morale. Moreover, leaders who demonstrate empathy encourage an open, transparent culture where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns. Approaching problems from different perspectives leads to more innovative and comprehensive solutions during crises.
One of the most crucial aspects of empowering leaders is training them for crisis management. Soft skills become exceptionally influential during a crisis, and any errors can have devastating consequences. The intensity of information flow and the prevalence of uncertainty make crisis situations extremely challenging. The recent Covid-19 pandemic underscored the urgency of empathy in leadership during crises.
Piotr reflects on his crisis management training at emba X. “We were put together into the shoes of different people, and we were [told] to manage a crisis… We were really struggling with understanding the situation. The situation was very dynamic. Information was coming from different angles, but this is actually what is happening in our life. You never know what will happen and when, and you need to apply and manage it.”(01:06)
Leaders must respond swiftly and wisely to minimize damage and lead their teams to calmer waters. Adapting to changing situations, communicating effectively under pressure, and making critical decisions quickly are vital crisis management skills leaders must possess.
Piotr’s emba X experience encapsulates the changing leadership development landscape. The program prepares technically proficient leaders who are emotionally intelligent and ready to face the complex, unpredictable challenges. “I’m not always in the center of the problem or of the situation, but I want to really understand what is around and what the others feel, and this is the biggest gift that I got from the EMBA,” he shares. (02:02)
The Personal Development Program (PDP) at emba X acts as a base camp and provides the foundation of the student’s intense journey. It provides continuous self-assessment tools, workshops, training, and peer-to-peer coaching opportunities, focusing on developing the mind, body, and soul.
The increasing complexity of the business environment necessitates a new breed of leaders able to navigate uncertainties with intellect and emotional intelligence. Programs like emba X provide a positive outlook for leadership and highlight the significant role of soft skills in leadership.
Looking toward a future characterized by complexity and change, developing soft skills shapes resilient leaders capable of leading teams and organizations through the most challenging times.
Ready to lead in times of uncertainty? Contact Piotr or other emba X ambassadors to find out more about the program.
