This essay is submitted in order to answer the following IE Business School application question: D. Cite at least one example of when your leadership had an impact on or changed a certain situation, and justify how an IE Master’s Degree program would help you to strengthen or improve this competence.

1. The Timor Leste Humanitarian Project - A Challenge, A
Reward, and A Goal for the Future
Question D:
Submitted by
Angeline
Pearson

2. Captain’s Call: “Our previous humanitarian team has been reassigned. We
need a strong and innovative leader, one who can turn this mission around.
This project has been languishing for over one year, and the government in
the overseas region is calling for this project to be implemented. If you
choose to lead this team, you will have worked towards improving life for an
entire community”.
“The naval troop will service a remote village of 2,400 in Timor-Leste, a
remote Southeast Asian nation. We will be renovating a large medical
hospital for local women and children, building two large suspended cable
bridges in the area to make clean water more accessible, renovating a local
school, and building a playground for local children. We have only seven
months.
“The question is…do you accept?”
Angeline Pearson’s Response: “Mission accepted, sir”.

3. Project #1: Construction of a large
suspended cable bridge. Provides
access to medical services for local
residents.
Project #2: Construction of a four-
classroom schoolhouse.
Project #3: Renovating the sole
maternity ward in a rural sub-
district. Will improve sanitation
services.
Project #4: Construction of second
large suspended cable bridge.
Provides additional access to food
resources for citizens.
Project #5: Construction of first
playground in a developing district
in the region. Provides children a
place to safely play.

4. Total Supply Costs - $20 MILLION.
Requisitioned a team of finance professionals
to identify accurate funding sources and to
expedite processing of financials.
Total Time Allotted: 7 Months. Worked with
executive management to report progress on
weekly basis, and ultimately gained wide support
for effort. Acquired 5 additional staff members.
Total Staff Needed In-House: 20
Total Military Needed On-Site: 30
Assigned each team member (logistics, finance,
procurement, and project managers an essential
element of the project to maximize time).

5. *Tensions were high during this time. My team members were feeling the pinch, and
disagreements did ensue. However, the goal was the same: we wanted to ensure our soldiers
received the logistics support needed, and to provide excellent customer service.
*Opinions were quite varied, and merging the goals of one department vs. another was very
tough. Executive management was quite concerned at the start of the project, and it was
crucial that we worked together equitably.
*Funding sources were scant, but our financial team was dedicated. They needed clear goals
and deadlines to carry out our funding request. This had not been done previously, so I
proposed a viable solution – the “deep dive” meeting.
*Our business relationship with our customer, the military team assigned to carry out this
effort, was quite strained. My team and I agreed that this would not be the case under our
leadership, and I suggested we meet with our military team on a weekly basis.
HOW DID THE TEAM FIX THESE ISSUES?

6. Solution #1 (Team Morale Building): Deep dive meetings to discuss major issues were
developed. We did not leave the room until a problem was rectified. We were able to
intelligently connect the dots as to how one department’s goals completely successfully
benefited another. During the times frustration arose (funding delays, equipment delays,
lack of support from headquarters), we hashed out a solution during this meeting.
Solution #2: I suggested we meet with our military troop every week to observe training
exercises, and to ensure the correct materials were being procured. We developed a healthy
empathy for the hardships soldiers face during their missions. We were able to work with
our troops to procure correct materials, and even saved several thousand dollars in the
process, due to acquisition of suitable and safe substitute materials. Furthermore, we were
given a comprehensive education on the needs and local customs of the people of Timor
Leste. This helped us to understand their current issues, and how we could help.
Solution #3: After our deep dive meetings, we were able to put together comprehensive
reports that stated our financial goals and progress. Execution of all funds was completed an
entire month ahead of time, and management was impressed with our progress. Executive
management did throw us many curveballs however, and after several rehearsals and
coaching sessions, we became better at presenting difficult information.

7. Timor Leste projects
were completed
within only six
months!
Project Cost Savings:
$2M ($18M Total Cost)
Built positive
relationships with
military customer
and Timor Leste
government and
community.

8. Empathy
•Put forth effort to
understand each
person’s perspective
•Motivate the people
whose enthusiasm
was flagging
Respect
•Give everyone the
opportunity to
express opinions
•Recognize the hard
work of all members
Communication
& Listening
•Communicate
executive team
feedback to all
members
•Listen to feedback
from all members
•Provide comfortable
space for all to
present ideas

9.  To Grow as A Leader In A Different Field: The Timor Leste project truly contributed to
my concept of what leadership is – it’s not just about one person or one vision. It’s
about team goals, and the ability to achieve something together. Through this
experience, and others in my career, I have developed a passion for socially
responsible business. My goal is to become a Social Impact Consultant, and to lead a
team of amazing professionals to effectively create more sustainable supply chain
solutions for large companies working within a third world area, as well as improving
the operations system for companies in emerging nations.
 To Undertake A Unique Leadership Practicum: Thus, an effective leader is a well-
practiced one, and the confidence gained from IE’s unique “Behavioral Fitness”
program will truly afford me the opportunity to fine-tune my leadership skills, and to
become proficient in developing the talents of my team members, and to gain the
backing of executive management in even the most difficult of projects, so financial
and other resources can be procured steadfastly.
 Learning From A Superbly Talented Student Pool: Lastly, I will be presented and
challenged with the viewpoints and varying global leadership styles from many
different individuals . Working within this fruitful context, and improving my
communication style to adapt to any environment, is the most powerful tool in my
arsenal to achieving my leadership goals.

10. Entrepreneur Experience and Education:
 As a future social impact consultancy firm owner, which is my long term career
goal, it is imperative to undertake education on a broader scale which include the
foundations of international policy, economics, and global politics. Through IE’s
Dual Degree IMBA & Masters in International Relation’s Program, courses such as
“Economic Development Theory”, “Global Leadership”, and “International
Finance and Monetary Theory” will allow me to speak confidently and with
aplomb regarding global crises and financial issues that affect progress. As a
skilled and well-informed leader in social responsibility, I will be able to take on
any project, as well as speak to any angel investor with supreme confidence about
my eventual business venture.
 Furthermore, in the IMBA program, I can attack my future goals as an
entrepreneur and leader in the Start-Up and Social Impact Labs. This will expose
me to areas I have never worked before, where I can gain vital knowledge in
economic policy and local customs. This will allow me to approach issues
through a different lens, and will enable me to become a more effective leader and
problem solver. Also, I can develop my experience as an executive mentor, where
I can contribute to the success of the future businesses of my fellow students, and
to provide counsel wherever I can.

11.  To Give Back as A Student Leader: The Net Impact Club provides an
excellent opportunity to give back to the student community, as well as
provide opportunities for industry to discover talent in socially
responsible business areas. Through a lead role in this organization, I
could use my skills as a civic leader to help galvanize the community
and university to plan the Net Impact Weekend, Global Village, and or
Social Responsibility Forum. This would be an educational opportunity
to learn more about the social and environmental issues affecting
business operations.
 Fundie Impact Fund – To Assist the Global Business Community: The
Fundie Impact Fund is an excellent student-run organization that funds
social enterprises in Europe. Working with this team would afford me
the knowledge of European social enterprise practices. This is a new
and exciting opportunity for me, and it is my goal to give back to this
wonderful organization utilizing my own knowledge in supply chain
operations, finance, and logistics.