On 15 October, we brought together five senior leaders at Imperial Business School for "Leadership Across Industries: Career Insights from Senior Leaders", hosted by Nina Tiquet, Weekend MBA 2026. Their careers span Citi, Siemens, EY, BAT and Bezalel Academy of Art and Design. The industries differed, but the lessons were universal.

Trust is built slowly

Credibility is like a house: it takes years to build and moments to lose. Danna Heller said trust comes before influence, and Pragya Joshi added that people remember whether you kept your word when it became inconvenient. What you can do: do what you say you'll do and seek out cultures that share your values.

Progress isn't always up

Not every role will be the right fit. A sideways move can build value that may not be apparent or clear immediately. Appreciate that progress isn't always up. What you can do: ask what you'd learn, not just how a move looks on paper.

Great leaders adapt to their people

Everyone is motivated differently and understanding that takes curiosity and emotional intelligence. Recognition matters too: naming someone's contribution can open a door they couldn't reach alone. What you can do: credit colleagues by name and be specific when you say thank you.

Before technology, we need each other

Danna reminded us that leadership starts on a human level, a conviction that shapes her work at Bezalel, Israel's oldest cultural institution. It's a useful counterweight to the current focus on tools. Careers still grow through people: the conversations, introductions and relationships that make opportunities possible.

There is no blueprint

No two panellists led the same way. What they shared was a strong sense of self and the confidence to lead authentically. As Pragya, a current Executive MBA student on the panel, put it: you learn something twice when you pass it on.

Thank you to Nina and our panellists, Andrea T. Martin, Costas Pantelides, Danna Heller, Yetunde Ibe and Pragya Joshi, and to everyone who joined us in person and online.

Contact ibcareers@imperial.ac.uk if you'd like career support.