Learning through experience: “Executive education”, Plato, & the 4th of July

It may seem strange but it is true that at the core of the Global Leadership Institute’s (GLI) programing are concepts of the most ancient philosophical traditions in Western thought. Not only do we embrace and make real Boston College’s Jesuit mission and goals of reflection and self-development, but we also construct programing so that participants learn in the Platonic tradition by seeing and developing cultural understanding through experience.

The GLI at Boston College specializes in short-courses for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students and busy senior leaders and executives from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. These programs are short, intensive, focused programs designed to help participants improve their leadership, managerial, technical, and educational skills. Participants leave programming with a “tool-box” of ideas, policies, and techniques that they can implement immediately to realize positive results. So, with our practical ends, how does the GLI use Platonic ideas?

“I went down yesterday to the Piraeus” Socrates

Book I of Plato’s Republic beings with Socrates descending to the Athenian port of Piraeus. Socrates goes he says, “because I wanted to see in what manner they would celebrate the festival”. Returning from the festival, Socrates is delayed and the dialogue begins shortly thereafter about what justice is.

From these moments Plato linked the Western tradition of political thought and, more broadly, understanding and inter-cultural understanding with the idea of seeing and experiencing events and public displays like festivals. By seeing and experiencing other cultural practices—whether they be religious processions as in the case of Socrates, national celebrations, or a whole array of economic, social, or political practices—people can develop an understanding of the policies and meanings created by other people. And from this new understanding of different practices one can develop new ideas. Most of the most enduring questions, debates, and answers in Western thought have come out of a cultural experience.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Education on Independence Day

Students study teamwork, innovation, and entrepreneurship at Shea Field, Boston College.

Earlier this week we welcomed 25 high-school students from Brazil, Chile, and Mexico to the Global Leadership Institute at Boston College. These 25 students are the first of close to 400 who will join us this summer at the GLI. And they will spend 10 days with us studying entrepreneurship and innovation. Like most students today—whether high school, university, or professionals and executives—they have a deep interest in understanding what entrepreneurial endeavors entail and how teams can be innovative.

This first group of students, however, has a special treat as part of their program. They will spend the majority of the holiday weekend having a chance to explore how Bostonians celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July. From a reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State House, to Haborfest, to talks at Bunker Hill, and finally the Boston Pops on the Charles River Esplanade, these students will have a chance to see Americans reflect on the founding of their nation and what “liberty”, “justice”, and “equality” mean in the United States today. This unique and special opportunity will not only help them deepen their understanding of American politics and cultural but will also help to provide new ideas, concepts, and practices on which to reflect. Although our students may find some of what they see odd or even antithetical to their most valued ideas, concepts, and practices, experiencing the 4th of July in the U.S. will provide valuable new insights on the possibilities, creative potential, and differences in the way people live. Understanding differences in this way helps to open new discussions and ideas. And like Socrates in The Republic it can facilitate innovation on existing ideas and concepts.

Many thanks for reading my post. I would love to hear your thoughts on international education. Please connect with me on LinkedIn and follow me on Twitter and share your ideas. #education #leadership #innovation #globalbusiness