Interview with Frederik Leloup, Director of Carbon Challenge Academy, for the upcoming issue of CEMS’ Alumni Magazine
Frederik, what is your role as the head of the Carbon Challenge Academy?
My role is to assure the implementation of our learning architecture, to constantly monitor and adjust the academy program and to gather experts, academics, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, coaches able to contribute to our vision of offering best in class training for decision makers in carbon management. This unique combination inside the CCA allows passing from an ambitious inspiring and training program to action and results, as much for the carbon reduction challenge as for the development of business and people. The CCA will demonstrate that the challenge we have to face is a solid opportunity for value creation on the material point of view but also in regards to giving new sense to our professional engagements.
Where do you see CEMS’ particular expertise to support the CCA?
The decision-making is an emotional process based on the conviction that we have (or not). Of course an important rational investment has to be done to prepare this moment. In that perspective the CCA is offering an education to critical minds in carbon management to go out of the common sceptical (or cynical) attitude concerning climate change and its impact on the business sphere, but at the same time to avoid an ideological approach of the question. For me, the business pro has to manage facts and produce results that contribute to the development of the community. In that perspective the widely regarded quality of CEMS academics in business education through the CEMS-MIM program is a very important ingredient to the CCA learning concept to allow the top managers to take things into account.
In which way can experiences from sailing be implemented to the academic world?
CCA is a knowledge and transfer centre to inspire high-level professionals in a role model environment flexible to meet the particular needs of our clients. The Carbon Challenge Boathouse, our zero-net-energy building hosting the academy, and the Carbon Challenge Sailing Team participate to this role model environment. Because changes occur by emotion, our focus is on inspiration. Longer courses include active sailing experiences and team building exercises with a coaching approach that complement our in-house lessons.
15 years ago, I have founded Sailing Team. The company is dedicated to the development of management teams using a team coaching approach, making the managers sailing on racing yachts. One of the most important lessons coming from the experience is the extraordinary potential of the development of professionals accepting the limits (rational, emotional, physical) as facts, without any impact on their self-esteem. In a regatta at sea it quickly appears as non-sense that I could have control on the relative power of wind or waves, on the ultra or under power of my sailing boat, on my own limits to understand the complexity of the system, to assume my anguishes or to manage my physical limits. I have to accept them and to deal with it. No other choice than to continue and to develop solutions. This attitude is quite evident but we have to go out of our zone of comfort to accept it. Having a clear impact on the team, it develops a beginning of collective accountability amongst participants and open minds to invent our future.
How can CEMS alumni participate in the CCA curriculum?
Being myself a CEMS alumnus (first generation!), it is a priority to serve in return the CEMS community. I am deeply happy to have the opportunity to do it. The oldest alumni assume responsibilities at a good level in their company. Our common culture can help us to be direct in finding the right relation between their company and the seminars of CCA, or the other opportunities like sponsoring of the Boathouse or of the sailing team, or the organisation of events. I will enjoy those first informal contacts. Other alumni could be interested to join us for trainees or for a real job.
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