Creative Confidence and Moral Courage: The Leadership Traits Business Schools Should Be Betting On

What students need from higher education is becoming harder to pin down than it once was. As higher education faces mounting pressure—from student disengagement to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence—institutions are being forced to rethink not just what students learn, but who they become. New research and industry signals suggest that technical knowledge alone is no longer enough; employers increasingly value adaptability, ethical reasoning, and real-world problem-solving. Against this backdrop, experiential learning and values-driven leadership are emerging as critical differentiators, especially as AI reshapes both the workforce and the classroom.So what does it actually take to prepare students—not just to succeed in business—but to lead with purpose in an unpredictable, tech-driven world?Welcome to Signals in Higher Ed. In the latest episode, host Darin Francis sits down with Dr. Dayle Smith, Dean of the College of Business Administration at Loyola Marymount University, to explore how moral courage and creative confidence are being embedded into modern business education. Their conversation spans Jesuit pedagogy, experiential learning design, and how institutions can cultivate leaders equipped to navigate ethical complexity while driving innovation.Top insights from the talk…Moral courage as a leadership competency: Students are trained to make ethical decisions that balance profitability with responsibility to communities, employees, and stakeholders.Creative confidence through experiential learning: A “fail forward” mindset encourages risk-taking, adaptability, and innovation in real-world contexts.Education beyond the classroom: Programs like LMU’s CBA Advantage integrate reflection, application, and co-curricular experiences to deepen student development.Dr. Dayle Smith is Dean of the College of Business Administration at Loyola Marymount University and a globally recognized leader in business education, having previously served as dean at Clarkson University and holding extensive academic leadership experience at institutions including Georgetown and the University of San Francisco. Her expertise spans leadership development, organizational behavior, experiential learning, and values-driven business education, complemented by international teaching, a Fulbright fellowship in Hong Kong, and consulting work with organizations such as Cisco, Wells Fargo, and the U.S. State Department. She is also a published author and active board leader across global education and business organizations, with multiple recognitions including repeated selection to the LA 500 list of most influential business leaders.