At the opening of Tristes Tropiques, Claude Lévi-Strauss makes a striking statement for an anthropologist: “I hate traveling and explorers.” What was he expressing? Not a rejection of movement or discovery, but rather a criticism of the superficiality of mass tourism when set against traditional societies, where familial and geographical rootedness is often enough to give shape and meaning to an entire life.
In the sphere of work, nothing seems more important today than defining where we are grounded and building the inner strength from which we act. Climate, economic, geopolitical, and social crises are blurring our points of reference. Faced with unstable markets and rapid technological disruption, professional decisions too often lose depth, direction, and vision. In such a chaotic context, is this not precisely the right moment to pause and reflect on who we are and what truly drives us?
Rediscovering inner solidity does not mean withdrawing from the world, nor does it mean imposing yet another set of rules or routines upon ourselves. On the contrary, it means stepping back from habit in order to clarify what is genuine: our values, our underlying strengths, and the deeper motivations that give meaning to our professional lives. It means developing a flexible inner compass that helps us make clear decisions even when the world around us accelerates. In essence, self-leadership is the ability to grow consciously, clarify priorities, and honor commitments with the adaptability needed to move forward—where rigid certainties often become limitations.
This is where journeys and exploration regain their deepest meaning. A journey toward new knowledge and questions we might never have asked ourselves. An exploration of fresh perspectives through meaningful exchange with peers undertaking the same path. And in the end, we return more fully to ourselves: with a stronger sense of growth, a clearer understanding of what matters, and a more grounded vision enriched by all we have encountered along the way. We feel more legitimate in our convictions and our knowledge because we have tested them, challenged them, and expanded them through what we have learned from others. We feel ready to face the new unknowns that will inevitably shape both our professional and personal lives.
Social ties and geographical rootedness are powerful assets when it comes to charting a positive path forward. Geneva embodies this particularly well: strong local foundations combined with a uniquely international outlook. The Executive MBA of the University of Geneva — the Geneva EMBA — is a powerful expression of that combination.
Over two years, the Geneva EMBA guides professionals toward self-leadership and responsible leadership. The first year strengthens self-knowledge, clarifies values, and develops core capabilities. The second year applies them in complex environments, integrating ethics, responsibility, and the realities of leadership in today’s world. More than a degree or a title, it is a framework for building inner strength, navigating uncertainty, and turning ambition into meaningful action.
For you too, perhaps this is the right moment to reflect on what drives you and on the potential already within your reach. Do it in Geneva, at the University of Geneva, through the Geneva EMBA.
Jean-Yves Mercier
Executive Director
