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What is leadership?

By: The Strayer University Editorial Team

Reading Time:  5 minutes

A title alone doesn’t make you a leader. The proof is in what you practice every day – the choices you make and behaviors you develop over the course of your career. That’s why it’s the subject of countless books, courses and debates.

Few people have shaped how modern business thinks about leadership more than Jack Welch. As chairman and CEO of General Electric from 1981 to 2001, Welch became known for a philosophy that prioritized people development as much as business results.

He summed it up simply:

“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.”

This idea is at the heart of the Jack Welch Management Institute (JWMI) online MBA at Strayer University.

5 habits of an effective leader

1. Empower your team

A command-and-control style might get short-term results, but it doesn’t build lasting trust. Welch favored the opposite: clear the barriers that prevent your team from doing their best work and let them implement their own ideas.

2. Lead with candor

Candor was a defining element of Welch’s business philosophy. Leading with candor means giving direct, honest input – not to criticize, but to help someone grow – while earning the trust for your team to do the same.

3. Practice a growth mindset

The best managers treat every project, misstep and piece of feedback as a chance to keep learning, modeling that approach so their teams will follow the manager’s lead.

4. Drive a culture of accountability

Set clear performance expectations and hold teams to them without micromanaging how the work gets done. This requires basing decisions on data and the perspectives of the people closest to the work, recognizing top performers and being willing to make hard decisions.

5. Promote a shared, unified vision

While the ultimate responsibility stops with the manager, true leadership means making sure everyone is rowing in the same direction – connecting individual work back to a mission people actually believe in.

You can start practicing these principles today, whether you’re managing a team of two or waiting for your first direct report. The top 10 online JWMI MBA program puts Jack Welch’s philosophy into practice from your first course.

Explore JWMI’s leadership-focused MBA concentrations and find the path that fits.

Have questions about the JWMI MBA program? Attend a virtual Q&A session or connect with an admissions officer.

FAQs

Who can benefit from a JWMI MBA?

Working professionals preparing to pursue career opportunities in business, healthcare, AI leadership, operations management or HR might benefit from an MBA. Whether you currently manage a team or are preparing for your first management role, you’ll learn real-world skills you can apply on the job.

What skills does the JWMI curriculum focus on?

Instead of just theory, the curriculum focuses on actionable practices you can use on day one. You’ll learn real-world management philosophies like leading with candor, building trust and driving accountability.

What MBA concentrations are available?

You can earn a degree with a specialized concentration that fits your goals. WMI MBA concentrations include specialized tracks in AI leadership, healthcare, human resources and operations management.

Category: JWMI

Published Date: AUGUST 27, 2026