Abstract:

In the rapidly evolving landscape of business education, the imperative need to develop empathetic and effective leaders has led to a surge of innovative pedagogical models. This study investigates a pioneering competency-based educational framework implemented since 2019 at the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), a prestigious Mexican university, aimed at integrating the values of conscious leadership — such as curiosity, integrity, and empathy — into the Strategy and Business Transformation program's core curriculum. By partnering with actual companies, the program has provided students with hands-on challenges, venturing beyond conventional teaching methods to instill skills pertinent to navigating today's complex business environments.

Relevant aspects of the investigation include:
- The research engaged current students and the first generation of graduates from the Strategy and Business Transformation program, evaluating the long-term impact on their career paths and leadership development.
- A comparative analysis assessed the differences in leadership competencies and ethical decision-making between program participants and peers from traditional educational models.

The study's methodology encompasses quantitative and qualitative analyses, including surveys, interviews, and case studies, to measure the effectiveness of this approach in fostering leaders who excel in strategic decision-making while prioritizing team well-being, sustainable business practices, and positive societal impact.

This study from ITESM 's competency-based program in Strategy and Business Transformation revealed graduates excelling in problem-solving, ethical reasoning, and fostering cultures of open communication and emotional intelligence due to conscious leadership training. This aligns with modern business needs, showing graduates leading inclusively and ethically in their careers, highlighting conscious leadership's essential role in preparing for the business world's complexities, and promoting a fair, sustainable future.

This investigation sheds light on the systematic integration of conscious leadership into business education and sets a precedent for future curriculum development. It encapsulates a forward-thinking approach to preparing students for the multifaceted challenges of the contemporary business world and their roles in crafting a more equitable and sustainable future.

Keywords:

Competency-based Education, Conscious Leadership, Strategic Decision-Making and Ethical Reasoning.