Authentic Leadership – A Key to Getting Hired and Thriving in a Globalized World

Authentic Leadership: A Key to Getting Hired and Thriving in a Globalized World

In today’s hyper-connected and AI-driven world, hard skill such as scientific expertise alone no longer guarantees success. Authentic leadership—the ability to act from one’s values rooted deep inside oneself and genuine mission—is the only way to stay relevant. Drawing on over 30 years of international R&D leadership and a recent entrepreneurial journey, this talk explores how authentic leadership is essential for creating value in society. Students will learn why leadership cannot be taught but must be found through real-world experience—and gain the courage to step into uncharted territory to uncover their own authentic leadership journey.

Toshi Iwata is the Founder and CEO of LeadGL Inc., an education company helping people equipped with global readiness build upon authentic leadership, intercultural competence, and communication & influence. Before founding LeadGL, he spent over 30 years in global R&D and leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, Dow and BASF, leading multicultural teams and innovation initiatives worldwide, including nine years at P&G’s Singapore Innovation Center. He earned his MBA from GLOBIS University in Tokyo, where he deepened his focus on leadership development and social impact. Combining corporate, scientific, and entrepreneurial perspectives, he now empowers the next generation to discover their authentic leadership and create value for society.

This webinar series showcases real-world case studies from industry projects to help students understand current challenges and how they are addressed in practice. By highlighting industry practices, decision-making processes, and the application of both technical expertise and professional competencies, the series aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations.