For Shawn Good, President and CEO of Libro Credit Union, leadership isn’t a title – it’s who you are. That belief was central to his message to Ivey MBA students during MBA Leadership Day on July 22. He challenged them with three simple, but profound questions: Who are you? What are you doing here? Where are you going? His keynote aligned seamlessly with Ivey’s strong focus on character, reminding students that real leadership starts from within.
Good’s address was a powerful call to lead with purpose and authenticity – a theme that resonated throughout a day of workshops and reflection hosted by the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership. In addition to his address, students engaged in two case-based learning experiences: the first explored judgment and decision-making within crucible leadership moments and the second examined the impact of character on the leadership of Nelson Mandela. Students were also given the opportunity to delve into and learn about their own character using the Institute’s Leader Character Insight Assessments (LCIA). The day included an optional Leadership Café where the students could participate in Q&A-sessions with some of Canada’s most respected practitioners. Special guests participating in the event included Jeannine Pereira, HBA '95 Director of Talent Development and Learning at EY; Kathy Woods, Leadership Advisor and Retired Partner, Deloitte; and Miyo Yamashita, President and CEO of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
Leadership begins with character
Dusya Vera, PhD ’02, Professor of Strategy and Executive Director of the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership , opened the day with a reflection on Ivey’s approach to leadership development.
“Ivey’s emphasis on leader character is distinctive,” said Vera. “Today is about reminding ourselves that we're developing our character every day. There's a mantra that we use a lot at the Institute that says, ‘Who are you becoming while you are busy doing? That reminds us that … you are developing your character on a daily basis. This question is especially important nowadays, if we consider the troubling parables in modern leadership. "
Building on Vera’s remarks, Dean Julian Birkinshaw, MBA ’91, PhD ’95, reinforced Ivey’s purpose: inspiring leaders for a sustainable and prosperous world.
“Our job is to help you to become leaders in the right direction, and that comes down to who you are as an individual – your character, your competence, your integrity, and your ability to make good judgment,” said Birkinshaw.
Authenticity in action
That message came to life through Good’s personal story. Rather than leading with his executive title, he introduced himself as a husband, father, storyteller, and coach.
“[My title] is not who I am. That’s what I do, and it’s my role,” said Good.
He shared that his own purpose – “to make the world a better place through authentic leadership” – shapes everything from his decision-making to the way he builds organizational culture. While contributing to meaningful change is what motivates Good to wake up each morning, he encouraged the students to define their own unique leadership aspirations.
"You need to understand your ‘why’,” he said. “People want to follow people who know what their purpose is."
Good described leadership as either a catalyst that propels growth or a governor that constrains it. He urged the students to recognize the weight of their influence – not just through their position of authority, but in their everyday actions.
The final challenge: lead with courage
Sharing examples from Libro’s values-driven culture and his own leadership journey, Good emphasized that effective leadership requires clarity of purpose and the courage to act on it – especially when the stakes are high or the outcome uncertain. For him, learning to lead with character did not come from formal business training, but through the invaluable experience of learning from mistakes.
He described leadership as an “important combination of strategy and character,” noting that while competencies are essential tools, it’s character, values, and purpose that truly bring leadership to life.
He concluded his speech with a challenge to students: lead themselves – and others – with courage, clarity, and compassion.
“Define your purpose; articulate your core values; set a vision; forgive yourself and others, and make sure that there is congruence between who you are, what you're doing here, and where you're going,” he said. “Lead well – you can change the world.”
Watch a video recap of the event below
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