The Ulysses Program and the development of globally responsible leaders in a VUCA world

Abstract

Developing a new generation of leaders who can take on the complex challenges of global business in a complex world and an emerging global stakeholder society has become a key concern for forward-looking companies. To create sustainable businesses for the future, we need business leaders who think and act with integrity, with responsibility, and with foresight. Therefore, some companies have begun to reconsider how they nurture their future leaders. This chapter presents a case study of the Ulysses Program, an international service learning program that uses cross-sector partnerships with host organizations in developing countries. The chapter outlines the objectives, design, and learning philosophy of the program. It examines the factors behind its success as a leadership development initiative. The Ulysses Program provided benefits for nascent leaders, host communities and organizations in developing countries, and the sponsoring corporation, which can now capitalize on the long-term shift in leadership mindsets.