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Gerard Seijts
Professor, Organizational Behaviour
Expertise:
Leadership, Leader Character, Organizational Change, Teams, Performance Management, Crisis Management
Gerard Seijts received a PhD from the University of Toronto in 1998. Prior to joining the Ivey Business School in 2000, he was a faculty member at the I.H. Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba. Gerard teaches on several degree programs and has taught EMBA, MBA, and undergraduate courses in leadership, leading change, organizational behaviour, and performance management.
Gerard has worked with many organizations in an executive education capacity, including Aecon, AstraZeneca, Deloitte, EY Canada, Hilti, Intact Financial Corporation, J.D. Irving Limited, Maple Leaf Foods, Navigator, OMERS, the City of Toronto, the City of Calgary, and Magellan Aerospace. He has also worked with government and government agencies in Canada, Hong Kong, Europe, and Africa on issues such as leadership and change.
Gerard has written cases on topics including – but not limited to – leadership, leading change, organizational turnarounds, crisis management, organizational culture and alignment, teams and managing conflict in teams. Recently, Gerard authored or co-authored four books: Leadership on Trial: A Manifesto for Leadership Development; Good Leaders Learn: Lessons from Lifetimes of Leadership; Developing Leadership Character; and Leadership in Practice: Theory and Cases in Leadership Character.
Programs
QuantumShift for Entrepreneurs
Drive growth and inspire results with a purpose-built learning experience for Entrepreneurs. In partnership with KPMG Private Enterprise, QuantumShift accelerates your leadership effectiveness.
Grow value and promote excellence in not-for-profit organizations. In partnership with KPMG Private Enterprise, CommunityShift connects Canada's top not-for-profit leaders.
Starts November 16, 2025
London, Ontario, Canada
Articles
Our Global Future: What leaders can learn from defining moments
Our panel discusses key leadership lessons from the war in Ukraine and offers takeaways for all leaders on the importance of character in defining moments.
Zabeen Hirji: Is the future of work a workplace for everyone?
Zabeen Hirji, Executive Advisor at Deloitte Canada and former CHRO at RBC, explores ways that leaders can support a healthy future of work in their organizations.
Organizational well-being: the power of leader character during times of crisis
In this complimentary livestream, we discussed the important role leader character plays in times of crisis, the power of character in business and sports, the importance of character to well-being in organizations, and the role character can play in business model reinvention.
Daily Bread Food Bank CEO Neil Hetherington on learning from shared experience
Ivey Professor Gerard Seijts leads a conversation with Neil Netherington, EMBA '13 and CEO of the Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto. Neil gives insights on the mission and challenges his organization faces amidst the pandemic crisis.
CAMH CEO Dr. Catherine Zahn: How leaders can be strong by asking for help
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health CEO and President Dr. Catherine Zahn explores some of the ways we can each be more mindful of our complete health during crisis.
Institute of Corporate Directors CEO Rahul Bhardwaj on Canadian global leadership in corporate governance
Professor Gerard Seijts interviews Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors. Rahul, Gerard, and Mark Healy discuss Canada's natural business advantages during a crisis and the importance of trust in leadership.
Business Council of Canada CEO Goldy Hyder on alignment between government and business during crisis
President & CEO of the Business Council of Canada Goldy Hyder talks crisis alignment between Canadian business, the social sector, healthcare, and government.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce CEO Perrin Beatty on the effects of crisis for leaders and business
Watch a live recorded podcast interview with Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Perrin chats with Ivey Professor Gerard Seijts on the importance of character in leadership during crisis.
How Narratives are Essential to Leadership Character Education
Gerard Seijts & Kimberly Young Milani share insights on how narratives shape our understanding of leader character and our power as individuals in the world.
Character: Why Good Leadership Matters
Explore the importance of character-driven leadership and unpack why character has often been overlooked in leadership discourse.
Character: Inspiring Leadership Through Storytelling
Storytelling is a vital part of learning. Discover how Gerard Seijts and Kim Milani use stories to demonstrate commitment, courage, and character in leadership.
Character Leadership: Being a Light in the Dark
Global crises highlight the urgent need for leaders with strong character to navigate challenges and ensure a sustainable, prosperous future.
Leader Character Shows Up in Hard Numbers—of Success or Failure
Gerard Seijts and Kim Milani highlight how leader character shows up in quantitative metrics for individual and organizational performance.
Character: Curating Stories of Exemplary Leadership
Gerard Seijts and Kim Milani share their process for selecting leaders whose stories of exemplary character are featured in their latest book.
Lessons for purpose-driven leadership through crisis: the war in Ukraine
Explore the critical role of Purpose during the Ukrainian-Russian conflict in an Ivey Academy livestream. Our expert panel shared insights from their research and experiences, demonstrating how purpose drives resilience and leadership in extreme adversity, and reflecting on key lessons for leaders across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
Leading Change and Transformation
Explore how to navigate uncertainty, build trust, and break down the barriers that often stand in the way of successful change initiatives. Learn how developing skills in introspection, emotional intelligence, and humility can drive real, lasting impact.
