Herminia Ibarra is the Charles Handy Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School. Before joining LBS, she was on the faculties of INSEAD and Harvard Business School. Recognised as an authority on leadership and career development, Thinkers 50 ranks her among the top management thinkers globally. She is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Expert Network, a judge for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year Award, and a Fellow of the British Academy. In 2018, she received the Academy of Management’s Scholar-Practitioner Award for her contributions to management practice.
Herminia serves on the governing body of London Business School and chaired the Harvard Business School Visiting Committee from 2012 to 2016, having been a member since 2009. She has also served on the INSEAD board of directors. Originally from Cuba, she earned her MA and PhD from Yale University, where she was a National Science Fellow.
She is the author of two bestselling books, "Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader" and "Working Identity". Herminia regularly contributes to leading academic journals and business publications, including the Harvard Business Review, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. Her article, The Leader as Coach, won the 2019 Warren Bennis Prize for the best leadership article in the Harvard Business Review.
Herminia speaks internationally on advancing to larger leadership roles, skills for organisational transformation, increasing diversity in leadership, and fostering authentic sponsorship relationships.
In today's rapidly changing landscape, leaders must drive transformation within their organisations to enhance agility, innovation, and inclusivity. In this session, Herminia Ibarra identifies five essential leadership skills crucial for navigating complex challenges: developing diverse networks, fostering collaboration and psychological safety, coaching for potential, shaping organisational culture, and cultivating empathy. Attendees will learn how to implement these skills to empower their teams and effectively address the challenges of modern business.
In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, leaders must adapt to enhance their organisations' transformative capabilities. In this interactive session, led by Herminia Ibarra, participants will discover the importance of taking action to shift their mindsets rather than relying solely on reflection. Attendees will learn to redefine their roles for greater strategic impact, expand their networks for broader insights, and explore new definitions of authenticity to enhance their leadership styles.
In today's evolving career landscape, individuals are increasingly questioning the nature and significance of their work. In this session, Herminia Ibarra highlights the shift away from traditional career stages towards a more fluid approach, where job changes and personal growth are common. She will discuss the emotional challenges of career transitions and present a three-part process for exploring diverse identities. Attendees will learn practical strategies for experimenting with new roles, building networks, and reshaping their personal narratives.
In this session, Herminia Ibarra will explore the three essential components of career success: key experiences, a supportive network, and growing confidence. She will highlight how gender and racial bias impact access to critical roles, senior networks, and perceptions of underrepresented individuals. Attendees will learn how these elements interact to create either positive or negative career trajectories and discover strategies for organisations to enhance progression rates by addressing these issues collectively.
In this session, Herminia Ibarra will explore the vital role of sponsorship in advancing careers beyond mere skills and ambition. She will explain how mentors can leverage their influence to advocate for protégés, ensuring they gain visibility among senior executives. Attendees will learn the essence of sponsorship, its significance, and strategies to foster mutually beneficial relationships. The discussion will cover effective career conversations, managing biases, and overcoming challenges in diverse sponsoring relationships.
