On April 15, the George Washington University School of Business awarded its first ever certificates in Corporate Responsible Management. This certificate was awarded to five MBA graduates who have demonstrated their commitment to becoming responsible business leaders, by fulfilling the three requirements of the CRM program – service, academics, and extracurricular activities related to responsible and sustainable management. Yes, I was one of the five certificate recipients!
It has been a challenge and a great journey to think about what responsible management in today’s business environment should be about.
In my work with small companies that truly want to be great companies and great employers, I have had the most satisfaction in bridging the misconceptions of Responsible and Sustainable Management and equipping small companies with the tools and structure to become better employers to today’s workers. Corporate Responsibility seems to be about large corporations, many of which are doing great work in terms of transparency, accountability and reporting.
The Certificate in Responsible Management is awarded to MBA graduates who have demonstrated their commitment to becoming responsible business leaders, by fulfilling the three requirements of the CRM program – service, academics, and extracurricular activities related to responsible and sustainable management. I have learnt more than I had expected in every requirement area: the service exposed me to communities in need that I was not aware existed in the US capital. The academics broadened my views and perspectives, and those of my classmates, particularly as we engaged in discussions that continued way after classes ended. The extracurricular activities allowed me to meet business leaders that apply responsible management in their workplaces, learn about organizations that have succeeded in their practices and have learnt by erring and trying again. In essence accomplishing this Certificate connected me with a brilliant circle of people, resources and friends that support my journey in responsible management. The certificate has created a “virtuous cycle” that will make all those of us involved and all of those we connect with, better professionals, business leaders and human beings.
