Developing Leadership Character

Character is an often overlooked aspect of leadership that shapes what leaders notice and how they interpret and react to information and events. Nelson Mandela was revered as he led South Africa out of apartheid because of his extraordinary combination of courage, humility, and humanity. In contrast, the arrogance, recklessness, and lack of compassion on the part of bankers was highlighted in the aftermath of the 2008-2009 financial crisis. Their characters, not just their deeds, distinguished their impact as leaders.

Yet character is seldom used in recruiting, selecting, promoting, or developing leaders and that oversight has an impact on organizational leadership.

Professor Gerard Seijts, Executive Director of the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership and co-author of the new book, Developing Leadership Character, will lead an interactive discussion on findings in the book that illustrate how different character dimensions can be developed, strengthened, and applied in a business setting.

A panel of leaders – Rob Brouwer, Canadian Managing Partner, Clients and Markets for KPMG and Vice-Chair of the Institute of Corporate Directors; Dean Connor, HBA ’78, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sun Life Financial; and Cynthia Devine, HBA ’87, Chief Financial Officer, RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust – will share their insights on the importance of leadership character, how it is developed, and how it helps leaders through challenges.

Event Details

February 25, 2016, 7:30-9:30 a.m.

7:30-8 a.m. Breakfast and registration
8-9 a.m. Presentation from Gerard Seijts and panel session with business leaders
9-9:30 a.m. Q&A
Location: Ivey's Tangerine Leadership Centre (formerly ING DIRECT Leadership Centre), King & York St., Toronto
Tickets: $30 (non-alumni), $25 (alumni), $20 (current students)

This event has sold out and registration is now closed.

Topics You Will Explore

• Why does leadership character matter?
• How can leadership character be used in recruiting, selecting, promoting, or developing current and future leaders?
• How does leadership character play a role in individual and organizational success?

About the Moderator

Gerard Seijts
Gerard Seijts is a Professor of Organizational Behaviour, holds the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Chair in Leadership, and is Executive Director of the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership at the Ivey Business School. He is co-author of the new book, Developing Leadership Character, which provides a framework for leadership character.
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About the Speakers

Rob Brouwer
Rob Brouwer is Canadian Managing Partner, Clients and Markets for KPMG and Vice-Chair of the Institute of Corporate Directors. He has more than 30 years of experience as an audit partner and senior relationship partner for a wide range of public and private companies with operations in Canada and internationally.
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Dean Connor, HBA ’78
Dean Connor is President and Chief Executive Officer of Sun Life Financial and is a member of the Company's Board of Directors. He joined Sun Life in 2006 as Executive Vice-President with responsibility for the Company's U.K. and einsurance operations, strategic international activities, and corporate functions.
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Cynthia Devine, HBA ’87
Cynthia Devine is the Chief Financial Officer of RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, a position she has held since March 2015. RioCan is Canada’s largest real estate investment trust with ownership and management of Canada’s largest portfolio of shopping centres. Prior to this role, Devine was the CFO of Tim Hortons Inc.
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