Lectio Magistralis by Philippe Donnet
On this page, you can access the full video recording and transcript (in Italian) of the insightful and heartfelt Lectio Magistralis delivered by Philippe Donnet, Group CEO of Generali, on the occasion of the MBA Honoris Causa awarded by our School.
Philippe Donnet offered a profound and articulate vision of leadership for the 21st century, focused on the concept of “human-centered leadership”, a vision born of experience but which finds considerable resonance in the most important management theories.
His emphasis on teamwork, empathy, and the “human touch” directly echoes Daniel Goleman's work on Emotional Intelligence as a fundamental prerequisite for effective leadership.
His insistence on the need to listen to criticism, keep one's ego in check, and create an environment where everyone can express themselves without fear embodies the principles of Robert Greenleaf’s Servant Leadership, where the leader is first and foremost at the service of the growth of their people.
Furthermore, Donnet's vision transcends the boundaries of the company to embrace a broader social responsibility, an idea that echoes Edward Freeman's Stakeholder Theory. He argues that a leader must create value for a variety of stakeholders: not only shareholders, but also employees, communities, and society as a whole.
This perspective, combined with his strong call for authenticity and consistency between words and actions—leading by example—aligns perfectly with Bill George's concept of Authentic Leadership.
In short, Donnet's lesson was not just the story of a professional career, but a rigorous manifesto for modern leadership that balances discipline and long-term vision with humility, courage, and unwavering ethical responsibility.
Francesco Venier
Director Executive MBA
Dean for Executive Education
Philippe Donnet offered a profound and articulate vision of leadership for the 21st century, focused on the concept of “human-centered leadership”, a vision born of experience but which finds considerable resonance in the most important management theories.
His emphasis on teamwork, empathy, and the “human touch” directly echoes Daniel Goleman's work on Emotional Intelligence as a fundamental prerequisite for effective leadership.
His insistence on the need to listen to criticism, keep one's ego in check, and create an environment where everyone can express themselves without fear embodies the principles of Robert Greenleaf’s Servant Leadership, where the leader is first and foremost at the service of the growth of their people.
Furthermore, Donnet's vision transcends the boundaries of the company to embrace a broader social responsibility, an idea that echoes Edward Freeman's Stakeholder Theory. He argues that a leader must create value for a variety of stakeholders: not only shareholders, but also employees, communities, and society as a whole.
This perspective, combined with his strong call for authenticity and consistency between words and actions—leading by example—aligns perfectly with Bill George's concept of Authentic Leadership.
In short, Donnet's lesson was not just the story of a professional career, but a rigorous manifesto for modern leadership that balances discipline and long-term vision with humility, courage, and unwavering ethical responsibility.
Francesco Venier
Director Executive MBA
Dean for Executive Education
Video Recording of the Lectio Magistralis
1 July 2025 – on the occasion of the conferral of the MBA Honoris Causa Diploma
