Dr. Daniel Goleman, recognized as the forerunner in Emotional Intelligence, honored as the recipient of our site's Honorary Degree in 2025.
International Business School Announces Distinguished Speakers for 2025 Commencement Ceremonies
The International Business School (IBS) has announced an impressive lineup of speakers for its commencement ceremonies in August 2025. Among the esteemed guests is Daniel Goleman, the renowned psychologist and author, who will receive an Honorary Doctorate from the school.
Goleman is best known for his work on emotional intelligence (EI), a concept that has become increasingly relevant in the age of AI and machine learning. His research highlights the importance of EI skills such as self-awareness, empathy, social skills, and emotional self-regulation, which are critical for effective collaboration between humans and AI.
Adi Ignatius, the editor-at-large and former editor-in-chief of Harvard Business Review, will speak at the Boston postgraduate ceremony. Gopi Kallayil, the Chief Business Strategist, AI at Google, will address the graduates at "our city" graduation ceremony. Ella Robertson McKay, the Managing Director of One Young World, an international NGO based in the UK, will speak at the London postgraduate ceremony. George Imafidon, MBE, the CEO and co-founder of Motivez, will address the London undergraduate ceremony. Nadia Boumeziout, the Head of Sustainability and Information Governance at Zurich International Life, Middle East, will speak at the Dubai graduation ceremony. Cindy Brown, the CEO of Boston Duck Tours, will address the Boston undergraduate ceremony.
Matt Lilley, President of IBS, believes that Goleman's work emphasizes the importance of unique human capabilities for long-term success, especially for leaders. "In an era where AI excels at logical, analytical, and repetitive tasks, uniquely human capabilities like emotional intelligence become more important for roles that require building relationships, inspiring teams, and navigating complex social and emotional dynamics," Lilley said.
Goleman's EI work becomes particularly relevant in a workforce where humans and AI collaborate, enabling smoother integration and bridging the gap between human and machine interaction. His framework challenges the notion that traditional IQ is the sole predictor of success, advocating for a more holistic view of intelligence that includes emotional competencies.
Past recipients of IBS's Honorary Doctorate Degree include Paul Polman, Indra Nooyi, Tim Brown, and Azeem Azhar. The Honorary Doctorate Degree is given each year to individuals who embody IBS's mission of making an impact that matters and inspiring others to do the same.
As AI advances, Goleman’s advocacy for emotional intelligence increasingly underlines the value of uniquely human interpersonal and emotional skills that technology cannot mimic, ensuring these capabilities remain essential for future success and collaboration with machines.
[1] Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam Books. [2] Goleman, D. (1998). Working with Emotional Intelligence. Bantam Books. [3] Goleman, D. (2006). Social Intelligence: The New Science of Social Relationships. Bantam Books. [4] Goleman, D. (2013). Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence. HarperCollins Publishers.
- In the realms of education-and-self-development and personal-growth, soft skills such as creativity, leadership, and critical thinking are being emphasized as essential for career-development, following the footsteps of renowned psychologist Daniel Goleman, whose works on emotional intelligence have highlighted their importance.
- Adi Ignatius, the esteemed editor of Harvard Business Review, will speak on the necessity of creativity in international business when addressing the Boston postgraduate ceremony, in line with Goleman's advocacy for emotional intelligence.
- Matt Lilley, President of the International Business School, has emphasized that Goleman's work underscores the value of leadership and creativity in an era where AI excels at logical tasks, making unique human capabilities even more critical.
- In her address at the Dubai graduation ceremony, Nadia Boumeziout, the Head of Sustainability at Zurich International Life, will share insights on the importance of leadership and creativity in addressing global challenges while collaborating with AI, furthering Goleman's framework.
- As part of the IBS's mission to inspire individuals who make an impact that matters, the school recognizes the relevance of Goleman's work on emotional intelligence in a global campus that supports leadership, creativity, and critical thinking in the context of international business.
