Art, Empathy, and Future Leadership

In this episode of Corporate Unplugged, Vesna is joined by Lars Strannegård, President of the Stockholm School of Economics, for a profound conversation on education, leadership, and the critical role of art and empathy in shaping the future of business and society.

The Human Essence of Leadership and the Power of Art

In an era where artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the landscape of business and education, the question of what makes a truly effective leader has never been more urgent. For Lars Strannegård, President of the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), the answer lies not in the mastery of algorithms or data, but in the cultivation of empathy, self-awareness, and a deep connection to culture and the arts.

Art as the Foundation of Empathy

At the heart of Lars Strannegård’s philosophy is a profound belief in the transformative power of art and culture.

“A world without literature, without poetry, without visual arts, is a very, very poor world”

he reflects, drawing from his formative years in Kuwait during the 1980s—a period when access to cinemas, bookstores, and music was severely limited. This early experience shaped his conviction that exposure to creative expression is not a luxury, but a necessity for human development.

Today, as president of one of Europe’s most prestigious business schools, Lars is committed to bringing the arts into the heart of SSE’s curriculum. He envisions a learning environment where students are introduced to the “wonderful world of culture,” not only to enrich their academic experience but also to foster the empathy and critical thinking that are essential for responsible leadership.

“Art serves as an intellectual and emotional itching powder”

he says, describing how art challenges our assumptions, stirs our souls, and triggers self-reflection. Whether it’s a painting, a piece of music, or a novel, art has the unique ability to transport us to other times, places, and emotional states—experiences that machines can never authentically replicate.

The FREE Framework: Preparing Leaders for the Unknown

Lars’s vision for education is encapsulated in the FREE framework, which guides every decision at SSE. The acronym stands for:

• Fact and science-based mindsets
• Reflective and self-aware
• Empathetic and culturally literate
• Entrepreneurial and responsible

This framework is rooted in the belief that education should be an emancipatory activity—one that opens doors and empowers individuals to question, challenge, and change the world around them.

“The real interesting key performance indicator of an education is how many doors in life that the education actually opens”

Lars explains. The goal is for students to leave SSE “free and alive in relation to the unknown,” prepared to navigate an uncertain world with hope, humility, and a sense of responsibility.

In a post-truth era, where facts are increasingly contested and generative AI can produce plausible but inauthentic content, the ability to think critically and reflect deeply is more important than ever. Lars emphasizes that being reflective means not only questioning external information but also examining our own beliefs, attitudes, and feelings. “You really have to increase your reflective skills, because you cannot really trust your eyes, you can’t trust your ears,” he says. This reflective capacity is what distinguishes human intelligence from artificial intelligence—and it is a skill that must be cultivated through continuous learning and exposure to diverse perspectives.

The Role of Inclusion and Respect in Leadership

Lars is deeply aware of the challenges that come with selectivity and competition in elite institutions like SSE. While selectivity can motivate students to strive for excellence, it also risks fostering exclusion and hierarchies. “With selectivity also comes competition, and also hierarchies of different kinds,” he acknowledges. To counteract these dynamics, Lars advocates for a culture of inclusion and respect, where every individual feels valued and heard.

He is particularly concerned about the current backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. “The discussion going on right now concerning DEI, for instance, it just shows that these basic things that are, of course, so central—that people should be able to develop themselves, to feel that they actually deserve a place at the table—those things are so fundamental and so incredibly important,” he says. Lars believes that the future of society depends on our ability to ensure that as many people as possible feel respected and listened to.

“If you have two large groups of people who do not believe that they are listened to, if they are not respected, the future is really gloomy.”

The Transformative Power of Personal Experience

Lars’s leadership philosophy is deeply informed by his own experiences of living abroad and feeling like an outsider. As a teenager in Kuwait, he realized the importance of freedom of expression and the ability to influence one’s own life. Later, as a Swedish student in the United States, he experienced firsthand what it means to be excluded—an experience that deepened his empathy and commitment to inclusion.

These formative moments have shaped his belief that leadership is ultimately about being a good human being. “Being a responsible leader or being a good human being—as I see it, is what the FREE concept is all about,” he says. For Lars, leadership is not about heroic individualism, but about embodying values of empathy, responsibility, and service to others.

Practical Wisdom for Today’s Leaders

In a world that is increasingly complex and uncertain, Lars offers practical advice for leaders:

• Constantly widen your blinders: Expose yourself to new ideas, cultures, and experiences—especially those that make you uncomfortable. “It’s about seeing things, doing things that you haven’t done before, or that you do not really understand,” he says. Engaging with culture—whether through reading, art, or conversation—is a powerful way to broaden your perspective.
• Prioritize deep listening and reflection: Take the time to truly listen to others and reflect on your own assumptions and judgments. “Deep listening and deep reading—to really think about what is being said here, what’s behind what this person is saying—that’s all about reflecting, really on that,” Lars explains.
• Stand firm in your values: In a post-truth era, it is essential to be clear about your vision, mission, and values. “Standing extremely strong when it comes to that, and not letting yourself be blown away by the wind,” is crucial for effective leadership.

The Future We Need

Looking ahead, Lars envisions a future where more people feel respected, included, and empowered to contribute.

“The world ultimately needs leaders who really feel responsibility for what they’re doing”

he says. “We need people everywhere who feel respected, who feel that they can say things and feel that they are listened to.”

This vision is not just aspirational—it is practical and achievable. By embracing art, culture, and the principles of empathy, self-awareness, and responsibility, we can prepare leaders who are not only intellectually capable but also emotionally intelligent and committed to making the world a better place.

If the talk resonates with you, we’d recommend you listen to these episode too:

• Dr. Peter Senge: Systems Thinking for Real Change – Explores leadership as a developmental journey rooted in purpose, service, and authentic partnerships.
• Emma Stenström: Transforming Education, Humanizing Business – Discusses the future of education and the importance of humanizing business.
• Nichol Bradford: The Future of Human Intelligence – Examines the intersection of technology and human transformation, and the importance of belonging.