The SBA Executive Leadership Academy recently organized its inaugural SBA Leadership Forum event, which took place on May 4th in the beautiful city of Bouznika (close to Casablanca). The event featured a panel discussion on "Leadership Challenges in the 21st Century," which addressed some of the most important issues facing managers and leaders today. The event provided an exciting opportunity for attendees to discuss, connect and network with SBA alumni and industry leaders.
One of the highlights of the evening was the discussion on the skills required for 21st-century leadership. The panelists emphasized the importance of agility and adaptability in the face of rapid technological change in what they described as the VUCA world (which stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity). They spoke about the need for leaders to be able to balance short-term goals with long-term vision, and to be able to lead their organizations through these periods of deep transformation.
The discussion also touched on the impact of AI on leadership, and how leaders can best utilize this technology to drive growth and innovation and avoid seeing it as a threat but rather embrace it as an opportunity. The panelists shared their thoughts on how AI can help organizations to make better decisions, streamline processes, and also to improve security practices.
Perhaps one of the most captivating moments of the event was the intervention of the President of Al Akhawayn University, Dr. Amine Bensaid, who spoke about the ongoing transformation of the education system and its impact on the future of business. His insights were valuable and highlighted the urgent need for business leaders to embrace change and to stay ahead of the curve.
Finally, the event was also a platform to recognize the success stories of SBA alumni. One such success story was the Chief Financial Officer of Autoroutes du Maroc, who was recognized by the SBA for his remarkable achievements after a brilliant career at CIMA-Mondelez and Unilever.
Dean Lakshmi announced the launch of new training courses intended for executives and professionals willing to boost their careers or to update themselves on the most innovative managerial practices and recent trends. This first edition of the Leadership Forum was another step in the SBA commitment to impact positively the community and prepare the students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today's rapidly evolving business landscape.