Leadership begins with people
Let’s Walk is ESCP Business School’s conversation series where ideas come alive on the move. In this episode, host Anobla travels to Athens to explore leadership, power, and collective responsibility with Maria Koutsovoulou, Professor of Leadership and Negotiation at ESCP.
From ancient Greek philosophy to modern organisations, this episode explores what makes an effective leader, how to inspire collective action, and why empathy and human values remain essential in times of change.
For Prof. Koutsovoulou, leadership is closely connected to the democratic principles of justice, participation, and giving people a voice. As a social psychologist, she helps executives translate organisational strategies into shared objectives that employees can understand and contribute to.
Drawing on her experience helping a struggling manufacturing plant adapt to a changing business model, she explains why lasting transformation depends on involving people in the process rather than motivating them through fear.
“It's very important for every person in the organisation to understand what his or her own contribution is in the realisation of the organisational objectives,” she explains.
Maria KoutsovoulouAssociate Professor of Negotiation, Leadership and Organizational Behavior
Is there a European style of leadership?
Walking through Athens' historic landmarks, the conversation turns to European leadership and its relationship with democracy and humanistic values.
Koutsovoulou identifies tolerance, freedom, justice, and collective well-being as important foundations of European leadership, while acknowledging that different national histories and cultures make it difficult to define a single leadership style.
She also explores how periods of crisis can create opportunities for transformation, particularly when people unite around a shared vision.
Lessons from ancient Greece for tomorrow’s leaders
At sites associated with Socrates and the ancient Athenian Agora, Koutsovoulou reflects on the relationship between leadership, ethics, and responsibility.
The story of Socrates raises questions about the limits of democracy and the importance of remaining faithful to one's principles. For Koutsovoulou, effective leadership requires the ability to question established practices, encourage dialogue, and act with integrity.
Looking towards the future, she acknowledges the difficulty of predicting how leadership will evolve, but expresses a clear hope:
“I hope that future leaders in 10 years will continue focusing on humans and being responsible and exerting sustainable leadership.”
Maria KoutsovoulouAssociate Professor of Negotiation, Leadership and Organizational Behavior
Watch the full episode and discover all Let’s Walk conversations on the ESCP YouTube channel.
Featuring
Location
📍 Athens, Greece
Chapters
Campuses