Villa College’s Qasim Ibrahim School of Business concluded another session of its Industry Engagement Speaker Series on 24 September 2026, examining the essential competencies required for modern corporate leadership. Delivered to an audience of 58 students, the session was titled Taking Ownership: Growth, Accountability and Ethical Choices. The presentation was conducted by Ms Reema Rasheed, Keynote Speaker, Mindshift Coach, and Co-Founder of The Coaching Co., who integrated practical insights with external commercial perspectives to enrich the academic curriculum.

At the centre of the session was the imperative for individuals to assume proactive ownership of their personal and professional development. In operational environments, cultivating deliberate ownership requires an individual to actively direct their career progression, in contrast to a passive approach that relies entirely on external guidance. Drawing on relatable experiences, Ms Rasheed underscored that accountability and ethical conduct become particularly critical when navigating professional adversity. When individuals abdicate responsibility during crises, organisations risk compounding operational failure; conversely, professionals who remain accountable for their decisions establish structural trust and sound governance. Ethical choices function not as abstract concepts, but as practical frameworks that direct daily operational conduct.

The active participation of the 58 attendees highlights the necessity of engaging prospective business leaders in serious, values-based discourse. Facilitated by the dedicated efforts of the event organisers, the session provided students with actionable approaches to ethical decision-making. By reinforcing accountability and deliberate self-advancement, such educational engagements support the wider business community by nurturing a workforce grounded in integrity, discipline, and professional resilience.