María Mercé Jané Marimón graduated from IESE’s intensive Master’s program. Reflecting on her choice for IESE, the school’s strong values, and commitment to gentle leadership appealed to her most.
Management practices are transforming in response to social changes. Technology integration, diversity, globalization, and sustainability drive these shifts from profit and power to people and purpose.
To thrive in this transformation, managers must adapt. Research from Antonino Vaccaro, an ethics professor at IESE Business School, shows that companies must go beyond compliance. It implies that leaders should manage with integrity, empower employees, provide training, and foster an ethical culture for better outcomes.
At IESE, business education is crucial in catalyzing the process toward inclusive and more gentle leadership. The school fosters strong ethical values, which it instills in students.
For María Mercé Jané Marimón, an IESE Master in Management (MiM) graduate, those values caught her attention while she was researching schools. “There was no other university that I aligned with in terms of the values, as much as IESE,” she tells MASTERGRADSCHOOLS. (00:40)
The next generation of managers knows empathy isn’t a nice-to-have attribute for a leader. It is an essential quality that can profoundly impact the success of an organization.
Due to its unique values and distinctive teaching style, IESE stands out as a leading business institution. Committed to promoting gentle leadership that will positively impact business and society, the school fosters a spirit of service and professional excellence.
“I always believe in hard work, working for what you want and your dreams, but I don’t believe in leaving anyone behind, and I think IESE really embodies that,” Maria says. (01:10)
IESE’s supportive community and the emphasis on soft skills give graduates a strong sense of comradery, teamwork, and service towards others on their professional journeys.
The Deloitte Millennial 2021 Survey reveals that younger generations seek purpose-driven companies aligned with their values. They want to make a positive impact in society and value opportunities to get involved and give back. Leaders can attract and retain talent by focusing on creating a responsible, empathetic, and equitable space.
“In terms of helping me stand out, the curriculum that IESE sets is very well-rounded. It really does cover everything from finance to accounting, but also the people aspect of things. And I think that it’s a really important thing to keep in mind. Sometimes we forget that business isn’t just about financials or about how much money you are making, the bottom line, it’s also about the people,” María explains. (03:51)
IESE’s MiM is an 11-month program in Madrid focused on equipping students to become passionate leaders of the future. Its curriculum provides a solid foundation in business management, with core courses spanning marketing, finance, strategy, and economics. However, IESE goes beyond books to offer hands-on learning.
For example, students can join a Social Entrepreneurial Project in a developing economy, do their internship in a company, or start a full-time job. The result is that IESE secures excellent employment rates for its graduates.
Maintaining a balance between personal and student life becomes paramount during any master’s program. It’s most important to find a suitable time management strategy that provides balance.
As María tells us, students are put under intense pressure during the program. However, it’s also a place where students aren’t afraid of making mistakes in the process of learning.
“It was very challenging to prioritize correctly and not get overwhelmed. The program is only 10 months long, and it’s really really intense, so when we first started, I remember it was extremely overwhelming. The classes are very tough, there are a lot of hours, and the content is very challenging. But, being able to prioritize, set your goals correctly, and also take time for yourself … is really really important,” She emphasizes. (02:19)
However, Maria explains having a clear purpose in mind for your MiM is a motivation to push through challenging times. As a final piece of advice, she says that choosing a school with values and a community that you align with should be top of your list.
“Make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. The program is very intense. As I’ve said, it demands a lot from you, so make sure that you’re joining it because it’s something that you want to do, something that you want to change in your life.” (05:43)
Therefore, if you are considering pursuing the MiM at IESE, make sure you adopt a growth mindset that balances a strong work ethic with personal well-being.
In conclusion, IESE’s MiM program sets itself apart through its values, teaching style, and comprehensive preparation for the future.
“IESE really prepares you for the real world, and it’s something that we don’t realize until we come out to the real world,” says María (03:33)
Are you intrigued by the transformative journey offered by IESE’s MiM program? Take the first step towards your future, contact María or another student ambassador, and learn more about the program today.
