Renowned psychologist Dr. Daniel Goleman, pioneer in the field of emotional intelligence, has been bestowed with an Honorary Degree by our site in 2025.
Article Title: Emotional Intelligence Takes Centre Stage at International Business School's 2025 Commencement Ceremonies
In a world increasingly dominated by AI and machine learning, the importance of emotional intelligence (EI) is gaining prominence. This human skill, which remains beyond the reach of technology, is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future workforce.
At the International Business School's 2025 commencement ceremonies, several distinguished guest speakers will underscore the relevance and significance of EI in the modern era. Among them are Adi Ignatius, former editor-in-chief of Harvard Business Review, who will speak at the Boston postgraduate ceremony.
Ignatius, known for his role in transforming Harvard Business Review into one of the most successful global multi-platform publishers, will undoubtedly share insights on the strategic importance of EI in AI-augmented workplaces.
Joining Ignatius is a diverse group of influential figures. Ella Robertson McKay, Managing Director of One Young World, will address the London postgraduate ceremony. George Imafidon, MBE, CEO and co-founder of Motivez, will speak at the London undergraduate ceremony. Cindy Brown, CEO of Boston Duck Tours, will address the Boston undergraduate ceremony. Gopi Kallayil, Chief Business Strategist, AI at Google, will speak at "our city" graduation ceremony.
The Honorary Doctorate Degree, given annually to individuals who embody the International Business School's mission of making an impact that matters and inspiring others to do the same, will be bestowed upon psychologist Daniel Goleman in August 2025. Goleman, renowned for his work on emotional intelligence, particularly his book, "Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ," will accept the award at the ceremony.
Goleman's work challenges the notion that traditional IQ is the sole predictor of success, advocating for a more holistic view of intelligence that incorporates emotional competencies. In an age of AI, where the logical efficiency of machines may dominate, EI serves as a vital bridge, enabling smoother integration and bridging the gap between the cold logic of machines and the complex, emotional reality of human work.
EI is no longer a soft skill but a strategic imperative essential for leading and succeeding in AI-augmented workplaces. It supports sensing unspoken emotional cues, managing reactions, and fostering trust and connection that AI cannot substitute.
Emotional intelligence underpins the self-awareness and self-regulation necessary for creative problem-solving and critical reflection, helping individuals navigate uncertainty and complexity with deliberate intention. Empathy and relational skills of EI enable deeply attuned communication, conflict resolution, and collaborative work, which are essential in team environments and cross-functional innovation, where human interaction remains central despite AI automation.
EI fosters emotional coherence and resilience that encourage curiosity and openness to learning and innovation, key for adapting to the evolving nature of work influenced by AI systems. Research highlights that emotionally intelligent managers lead teams with higher engagement, retention, and innovation levels because EI builds relational capital and stabilizes organizations facing exponential technological change.
While AI and machine learning can simulate some aspects of emotional intelligence through Artificial Emotional Intelligence (AEI), these technologies raise ethical and social challenges. Genuine human EI remains vital for trust, social cohesion, and ethical leadership in AI-integrated contexts.
In summary, emotional intelligence complements AI by amplifying uniquely human capacities that drive success in complex roles involving creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and curiosity, making it a defining skill of future workforce readiness and leadership.
Past recipients of the Honorary Doctorate Degree include Paul Polman, Indra Nooyi, Tim Brown, and Azeem Azhar, further underscoring the prestige and significance of this recognition. As the International Business School's 2025 commencement ceremonies approach, the spotlight on EI will undoubtedly shine bright, illuminating its vital role in shaping the future of business and leadership.
In addition to George Imafidon, other notable figures speaking at the ceremonies include Nadia Boumeziout, Head of Sustainability and Information Governance at Zurich International Life, Middle East, who will speak at the Dubai graduation ceremony. George Imafidon, apart from his role as a guest speaker, is also a Race Engineer with Sir Lewis Hamilton's Team X44, as well as a Board Member at the Co-op Foundation and the Hamilton Commission.
References: [1] Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam Books. [2] Goleman, D. (2019). The Future of Emotional Intelligence. Harvard Business Review. [3] Goleman, D. (2020). What Makes a Leader? Harvard Business Review. [4] Goleman, D. (2021). The New Leadership: Emotional Intelligence and Mindfulness. Harvard Business Review.
- The strategic importance of emotional intelligence (EI) in AI-augmented workplaces will be emphasized by several guest speakers at the International Business School's 2025 commencement ceremonies, including Adi Ignatius, known for transforming Harvard Business Review into a successful global multi-platform publisher.
- Empathy and relational skills of EI enable deeply attuned communication, conflict resolution, and collaborative work, which are essential in team environments and cross-functional innovation, where human interaction remains central despite AI automation.
- In an education and self-development context, EI supports personal growth, career development, and creative problem-solving by fostering emotional coherence and resilience, key for adapting to the evolving nature of work influenced by AI systems.
- Genuine human EI remains vital for trust, social cohesion, and ethical leadership in AI-integrated contexts, as while AI can simulate some aspects of EI through Artificial Emotional Intelligence (AEI), these technologies raise ethical and social challenges.
- The honorary degree recipient, psychologist Daniel Goleman, renowned for his work on emotional intelligence, will underscore the importance of EI in international business, global campus settings, and modern leadership, especially as the future workforce increasingly navigates the integration of technology and human capabilities.
