Each month, a Geneva EMBA student shares insights about their studies and professional life.
What do you think is your best quality as a leader/as a professional?
My ability to lead projects and to synthesize and analyse problems. I am very focused on objectives and I am tenacious! My engineering background has given me a Cartesian mindset which allows me to break down complex projects into smaller, simpler building blocks.
What do you consider your greatest professional achievement so far?
After starting my career in Paris with a multinational construction company, I quickly became responsible for public infrastructure tenders. Later, I oversaw the construction of a new stadium in Nice, in the south of France. This experience allowed me to understand all aspects of the construction industry, end-to-end. It is probably what enabled me, at 32, to become Technical Director for a highway operator and to join the executive committee.
What are the most valuable skills that you have developed during your EMBA programme?
I really enjoyed the modules on emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence. These are skills that are rarely taught in engineering programmes. The EMBA enabled me to understand the importance of these soft skills and became aware of my shortcomings in this area.
Which values guide you while taking responsibilities, and why?
The pursuit of purpose is very important to me—why am I making this or that decision? Does it make sense for the collective? When making decisions, I often try to remind myself of the purpose of my mission.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career?
A training instructor once said: “Those who forget to prepare are preparing to be forgotten.” This saying has stuck with me. And, in a world where everything is moving faster and faster, taking time to prepare feels like a real strength.
How do you envision your career evolving after completing the EMBA course?
I’d like to move into roles such as Strategy Director or General Manager to apply the teachings of the EMBA. My aim is to have a positive impact on society through my work.
What trait do you most admire in colleagues and peers from your class?
One of the things I love most about the Geneva EMBA is meeting people from so many different backgrounds. Some classmates have an incredible curiosity and dive deep into researching everything—they bring such a wealth of general knowledge that makes the courses even more enriching.
