Oded Grajew: A new type of Business Leadership is possible
By Andres Falconer | August 2004 | View Full Text | Email Link

Abstract

A study of bridging leadership in Brazil produced in cooperation
with the Brazilian Association of Leadership Development (ABDL)

This examines bridging leadership between business and civil society. Oded Grajew defines himself as a "left-wing social businessman." This case examines that apparent contradiction and follows Grajew's career from his beginnings as a businessman in the toy industry, to his current status as special advisor to the President of Brazil. From the 1980's to the present day, Grajew has worked to encourage the business sector to realize its social responsibilities and actively participate in the significant social issues with which Brazilians are struggling today. During this time, Grajew has managed to put together several collaborative initiatives, involving some very improbable partnerships, which are working on behalf of Brazil's marginalized populations. The fact that many of these initial partnerships somehow evolve into stable institutions is of great interest to this research project.

Bridging leadership is a style of leadership that focuses on creating and sustaining effective working relationships among key partners and stakeholders. By "bridging" different perspectives and opinions often found across the breadth of different stakeholders, a common agenda can begin to be developed and shared in order to solve social and economic problems.

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Partnership & Collaboration | Bridging Leadership | Americas | Brazil