Leadership lessons from Albert Mathieu, Chairman of Mars’ Food business in Europe

All MSc students enrolled in the Business Management Track in Lille had to follow the strategic leadership innovative module. Created and offered by Professor of Management, Valérie Petit, this course combined courses, leadership tests, a challenge and culminated with a conference with Mr. Albert Mathieu, EDHEC 1988 Alumnus, Chairman of Mars’ Food business in Europe.


Open the Black Box' of Top Management

Even though, it will take several years for students to climb the ladder of top management, it is crucial that they acquire at an early stage the idea of the practice of leadership at the highest management levels. For students, the notion of Top Management is still a Pandora Box with its myths and questions: Who really are the top executives? What are they doing? What does it means to be a leader when running a company? What is the influence of business leaders on the becoming of their firms?

Students must comprehend leaders' problematic through theory, research and inspiration that is key in order to get familiar with this abstract notion. Beyond the science of leadership, they will have the opportunity to learn by example and to explore the art of leadership.

 
The Art & Science of Leadership

Drawn upon the latest research conducted by the EDHEC Leadership & Corporate Research Centre, the course aimed to discuss leadership, strategy and governance at the top senior management level and to understand the motivations and contributions of charismatic leaders. Students discovered the various measures of scales used by researchers and professionals in recruitments.  Through five lectures on strategic leadership and several presentations of research results, they learnt more about the nature and the determinants of top executives' power and legitimacy and explored the various styles of business leaders: charismatic, positive, authentic leaders as well as hubristic CEOs and their impact on companies.

This original format enabled MSc students to discover the world of leadership through courses and put in practice what they have learnt so far. The leadership tests allowed students to discover their inner self in terms of leadership abilities. Students also had the opportunity to test the various measurement scales developed by leadership scholars to measure leadership styles. The same tests that top executives will discover in their MBA or Leadership trainings!


Studying the Practice of Leadership at the Top

Case studies in leadearship and organisation transformation' and leadership and personal ethic' illustrated the theory.  MSc in Arts & NGO Management and MS in Legal & Tax Management students worked on leaders such as Amy Schulman, Executive VP of Pfizer and Oprah Winfrey. MSc in Marketing students discussed Howard Schultz, CEO of Startbucks and Anita Roddick, the founder of The Body Shop while MSc in Strategy & Organisation Consultancy and MSc in Entrepreneurship students worked on Jack Welch, former President of General Electric and Marilyn Carlson, Chairman of Carlson Companies.

One of the highlights was certainly the challenge that rewarded the top three best videos. Individually or in sub-groups, MSc students had to present their views on a chosen leader in a 4-minute video. The challenge consisted in describing their leader's history, style and achievements and answering the question in which new position or industry will you place your chosen leader? They also provided proofs of effective leadership and had to select skills they would like to have and explain why?

Meet the CEO!

Last but not least, a conference with Mr. Albert Mathieu, EDHEC 1988 Alumnus, Chairman of Mars' Food business in Europe, concluded this module. The conference kicked off with the announcement of the top three videos before interviewing Mr. Mathieu. The round table that followed focused on Mr. Mathieu views and experience on leadership.

Written by ANGELIQUE MICONNET
Date of update March 18, 2011