This week, as we gear up for the release of our latest #LeadershipLab interview, we reflect on a powerful insight from our distinguished guest, Soumitra Dutta, Dean of Oxford University's Saïd Business School. Discussing the benefits of living in a new country and engaging with diverse cultures, Dutta shared:

Navigating the Intersection of Academia and Entrepreneurship

A graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, with a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Dutta furthered his education at the University of California, Berkeley, earning an M.S. in Business Administration and a Ph.D. in Computer Science. His tenure includes pivotal roles such as the Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean at Cornell University's Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management and the founding dean of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. Before joining Cornell, he was on the faculty of INSEAD. Notably, he co-founded two influential companies: Fisheye Analytics, which WPP later acquired, and the Portulans Institute, a non-profit dedicated to research and advocacy in technology and policy.

Cultivating Leadership in a Global Context

In his Leadership Lab interview, Dean Dutta underscored the significance of residing in a foreign country with a distinct culture from one's own. He highlighted that those granted this opportunity can experience profound personal and professional growth through the challenges of discomfort, fostering adaptability, and cultivating open-mindedness. As we navigate complex global challenges on our leadership journey, it is clear from Dutta's words that the ability to understand and integrate diverse viewpoints is not just a skill—it’s a necessity.

🎙️ Keep an eye out for our upcoming episode where Dean Dutta delves into a variety of topics, including the impact of censorship on academia, the significance of building social capital as an entrepreneur, the enlightening experiences of cultural immersion, and the profound implications of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence on society.