The Postgraduate School of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) conducted a seminar titled “Leadership by Heart: Strategic Leadership in Realizing Indonesia Emas 2045” on March 14, 2025. This event was held in the International Lecture Room V of the Postgraduate School Building on the Dharmawangsa-B Campus. The keynote speaker was Prof. Ir. Joni Hermana, MScES, PhD, who previously served as the Rector of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) from 2015 to 2019.
Importance of Strategic Leadership
The seminar centered on the importance of strategic leadership in driving positive change across multiple sectors, including education, technology, and the economy. It highlighted UNAIR’s dedication to facilitating relevant academic discourse aimed at contributing to the nation’s aspirations as Indonesia approaches its centennial milestone in 2045.
Heart-Centered Leadership
During the seminar, Prof. Hermana discussed the critical role of heart-centered leadership in formulating sustainable strategies necessary to achieve the objectives of Indonesia Emas 2045. He emphasized that effective leadership, grounded in humanitarian values, is essential for realizing this vision. Prof. Hermana pointed out the importance of courageous decision-making and an awareness of societal impacts, stating that leaders should prioritize long-term success over immediate benefits in order to establish a solid foundation for future generations.
Leadership Challenges in the Digital Age
The challenges of leadership in the digital age were also addressed, with an emphasis on the necessity for adaptability in response to rapid changes. Prof. Hermana encouraged leaders to embrace lifelong learning, engage with feedback, and provide inspiration to their teams. He stated that effective leaders serve not only as guides but also as role models, and he highlighted the importance of building trust within teams. Additionally, he warned that leaders who fail to align their actions with their words risk diminishing their credibility and ability to foster collaboration.
Organizational Transformations
In his discussion on organizational transformations, Prof. Hermana noted that significant changes can result from both unforeseen events and planned strategies, describing the Indonesia Emas 2045 initiative as a carefully crafted effort toward transformation. He highlighted the need for leaders to be adaptable and democratic, recognizing that shifts away from dependence on government funding to self-sufficiency may encounter resistance, which is a natural human response.
Conclusion
Prof. Hermana concluded by acknowledging that initial opposition to change is common, but persistent efforts can facilitate acceptance and adaptation to new realities.
The seminar reflects UNAIR’s initiative to engage in discussions aimed at preparing future leaders to effectively navigate the complexities as Indonesia endeavors to achieve its developmental objectives by 2045.
Author: Ameyliarti Bunga Lestari
Editor: Edwin Fatahuddin
Source: unair.ac.id
