How does an extreme crisis test and temper a manager’s character, and why has the Ukrainian experience of decision-making during full-scale war become a vital asset for global business education? The new international educational case study «Ukraine: A Leadership Exam», developed in partnership between UCU Business School and Ivey Business School, demonstrates how leadership in wartime transcends formal titles and is defined by moral courage, service, and human character.
What Is This Case Study About?
On February 24, 2022, the full-scale war in Ukraine abruptly destroyed familiar organizational contexts, demanding decisions unimagined in peacetime. Managers, entrepreneurs, and citizens faced extraordinary challenges: defending the nation, sustaining business operations during the largest modern war, and saving lives amid loss, chaos, and constant danger.
Published by Ivey Publishing in collaboration with UCU Business School, this teaching case explores the lived experiences of three Ukrainian leaders operating across diverse roles, united by a commitment to public service and strength of character.
The analytical foundation relies on the 11 dimensions of the Leader Character framework developed by the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership at Ivey Business School. Designed for undergraduate, graduate, and Executive Education programs, the case provides global students and executives with a structured tool to evaluate core competencies, commitment, and character under extreme pressure.
Why Is This Experience Unique? Partnership Between UCU Business School and Ivey Business School
The collaborative work of researchers Gerard Seijts (Ivey Business School), Andrew Rozhdestvensky, and Taras Oleksyn (UCU Business School) represents a landmark international academic partnership, bringing insights into crisis leadership from Ukraine to the global stage.
For the Ukrainian business community, global executives, and international educators, this case offers several critical insights:
- Redefining Authority: Under extreme turbulence, true authority is not derived from formal status or functional skills alone, but from preserving core values, acting for the safety of others, and finding purpose amid loss.
- Bridging Global Methodology and Ukrainian Context: Integrating the 11 dimensions of leader character helps structure the unique Ukrainian experience of decision-making under fire into a universal educational tool.
- Actionable Value for Management Education: Program participants learn to distinguish among leadership competencies, commitment, and character, and to assess behavioral indicators during crises to build their own internal resilience.
Read the Case Study
Explore the full case study «Ukraine: A Leadership Exam» directly on the Ivey Publishing platform: Case Study: Ukraine: A Leadership Exam | Ivey Publishing.
