Urmilla Mahabirsingh's Insights

Leadership and Management

Explore practical insights and leadership perspectives from BES on talent strategy, organizational performance, and future-ready teams.

Leadership

  • Leadership/Urmilla Mahabirsingh

    Stewardship in Action: Corporate Responsibility and Policy Implications

    In this article, Urmilla Mahabirsingh explores what responsible business leadership looks like today. She explains why environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues are still essential, even as some companies shy away from them. Drawing from Canadian regulations, climate disclosure frameworks, and Patagonia’s business model, she lays out how boards and senior executives can stay focused, transparent, and aligned with their values. For companies that want to build long-term trust and success, she argues, stepping back from ESG is not an option.

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  • Leadership/Urmilla Mahabirsingh

    Leading with Compassion in the AI Era: Fostering Human-Centred Leadership in a Digital World

    Leadership in the AI era demands more than driving efficiency and innovation—it requires a deep commitment to the human element. As AI transforms industries, leaders face the challenge of guiding their teams through uncertainty, adapting to new roles, and addressing anxieties about rapid change. Compassionate leadership, centred on emotional intelligence, empathy, and inclusivity, bridges the gap between technology and humanity. By prioritizing mental health, fostering trust, and empowering employees through learning, leaders can create workplaces where technology enhances human potential rather than replacing it. In this era of transformation, it is the compassionate leader who will define a future where progress and people thrive together.

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Thought Leadership Videos

Watch recent thought leadership videos on inclusive leadership, workplace culture, and transformation.

Why Confidence Stops Working at Executive Level

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Why Confidence Stops Working at Executive Level

When interviewing for jobs at the executive level, confidence is expected—and so it’s no longer a differentiator. In this short, Jason Murray shares tips on what executive hiring committees are listening out for, which includes evidence of sound judgment and being able to navigate ambiguity.

Watch Why Confidence Stops Working at Executive Level
The Interview Mistake Strong Leaders Make

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The Interview Mistake Strong Leaders Make

When interviewing for executive roles, strong delivery is expected—so it’s no longer what sets you apart. In this short, Jason Murray shares a common mistake leaders make: answering like high performers instead of future peers.

Watch The Interview Mistake Strong Leaders Make
What Executive Presence Actually Is

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What Executive Presence Actually Is

In this short, Jason Murray breaks down why hiring committees look for calm, clarity, and restraint, and how presence often comes through in what you don’t say.

Watch What Executive Presence Actually Is

Sustainability/Stephanie La

Green AI: The Role of AI in Sustainability

Green AI emphasizes the importance of balancing innovation with environmental responsibility, addressing the significant environmental and ethical challenges posed by AI development, such as high carbon emissions, energy consumption, and data privacy concerns. While AI offers transformative benefits, including climate change prediction, pollution monitoring, and public health insights, its rapid advancement often prioritizes speed over sustainability. By adopting Green AI practices—such as energy-efficient algorithms, renewable energy sources, and sustainable development goals—organizations can reduce their environmental impact, align with sustainability objectives, and foster long-term growth while contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future.

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Leadership/Melissa Sumnauth

The Importance of Pronouncing a Name: An Act of Inclusive Leadership

Names are not just labels; they are powerful reflections of identity, culture, and history. In this article, Melissa Sumnauth explores the significance of correct name pronunciation in leadership and organizational culture. Drawing on her experience in executive coaching, executive search, facilitation, and people & culture she illustrates how mispronunciation can function as a microaggression and a barrier to inclusion, while intentional effort to say names correctly fosters dignity, belonging, and trust. With practical tools and a call to action for leaders, this article reframes name pronunciation as a vital practice in advancing equity and respectful engagement.

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Learn more about The Importance of Pronouncing a Name: An Act of Inclusive Leadership