Leading with Values and Integrity

What separates a great leader from a capable manager? This course explores that question through two in-depth conversations with executives who have led some of the world's most recognized organizations. Bill George, former CEO of Medtronic and professor at Harvard Business School, shares the principles behind authentic leadership — including how to discover your True North, build self-awareness through honest feedback and reflection, and develop the kind of culture where people are empowered rather than managed. Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever and author of Net Positive, examines what it means to lead with purpose at scale — from building organizations around shared values to making the business case for treating people and the planet as long-term assets rather than short-term costs.

Together, these conversations make the case that leadership is fundamentally a human endeavor, and that integrity, accountability, and a genuine concern for others are not soft ideals but practical competitive advantages.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

1. Distinguish between leadership and management and explain why the difference matters for organizational outcomes.
2. Describe the True North framework and identify the values, beliefs, and sources of fulfillment that anchor authentic leadership.
3. Apply the COACH model to develop, mentor, and empower individuals within a team or organization.
4. Identify strategies for building self-awareness, including introspective practice and the role of honest feedback from trusted advisors.
5. Explain how alignment between personal values and organizational mission drives employee engagement, retention, and long-term performance.
6. Evaluate when and how leaders should speak out on public issues, using organizational mission and values as the decision-making framework.
7. Analyze the net positive business model and articulate why purpose-driven companies tend to outperform peers over time.