Geneva, June 19, 2025 — More than a hundred professionals gathered at the University of Geneva last Thursday for a lively and thought-provoking evening hosted by The Geneva EMBA, centered on a pressing question: Where does meaning at work come from—and who is responsible for it?
The event, titled “Self-Leadership: The 8 Pillars to Finding Meaning,” was inspired by the recent book of the same name and marked the launch of a series of public discussions around the future of work, leadership, and individual responsibility.
Opening the Debate: Stop Waiting for the Company to Give You Meaning
Jean-Yves Mercier, Executive Director of the Geneva EMBA and author of the book, opened the conference with a bold premise: “Let’s stop expecting companies to give meaning to our work. That responsibility lies with each of us.” He introduced the concept of Self-Leadership—an approach that empowers individuals to define their own professional sense of purpose, especially in fast-evolving work environments where traditional career paths and organizational structures are increasingly unreliable.
Clashing Perspectives: Work as Purpose vs. Work as Livelihood
Mercier’s keynote was followed by a punchy intervention from Christophe Genoud, who challenged the very premise of the evening: “Not everyone is looking for meaning at work,” he claimed. “Some people simply work to earn a living, and that’s perfectly valid.” His remarks sparked a spirited exchange and underscored the evening’s theme: genuine, contrasting viewpoints on what drives engagement and satisfaction at work.
Lived Experience from the Front Lines
A panel discussion brought together a diverse set of voices:
- Anouchka Ramu, HR executive at ID Quantique, described how the company’s sense of purpose was shaken by successive acquisitions—from Korean to American conglomerates—forcing a cultural shift from scientific curiosity to financial metrics.
- Laura Gasser, an alumna of the Geneva EMBA and participant in the Self-Leadership Lab, highlighted how generational shifts at Alpian Bank are reshaping how employees relate to their roles and seek meaning.
- Thierry Ungaro, CEO of Ad Valoris, offered a nuanced view: “The company can provide the wood and oxygen, but each person must strike the match.” He emphasized that leadership can set the stage, but meaning is ultimately constructed at the intersection of personal commitment and organizational support.
A Shared Responsibility for Meaning
The closing message echoed across all interventions: neither the company nor the individual holds full responsibility. Instead, as Ungaro put it, “Self-leadership creates the space where each person becomes the agent of their own engagement.”
The audience, clearly energized by the exchange of ideas, continued the conversation well into the cocktail hour, with many attendees praising the Geneva EMBA’s initiative for daring to open a real debate on a topic often reduced to HR slogans.
About the Organizers
This event was part of a broader mission by The Geneva EMBA at the University of Geneva to stimulate public dialogue on responsible leadership and the future of work. As Mercier concluded: “In a world where benchmarks are constantly shifting, asking ourselves what matters—and why—has never been more essential.”
