Leading the Digital Future: Jorge Benito’s Takeaways from Harvard Business School Connext 2025
Written by Coaching Blog on May 17, 2025
For the second consecutive year, JB Coaches’ Jorge Benito returned to Harvard Business School Connext 2025, an international event uniting professionals committed to driving innovation and growth in leadership, business, and education. Held on the HBS campus and streamed worldwide, this year’s theme—“Leading the Digital Future”—delivered timely insights for those navigating the intersection of strategy, ethics, and technology.
With over 1,600 participants from 50+ countries, the experience offered more than just thought leadership from the world’s most prestigious business school—it created a space for open dialogue between professionals facing similar challenges across industries and cultures.
“Being part of Connext is a powerful reminder that leadership development doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in community,” Jorge reflected. “Every interaction, every case, every question in the room adds dimension to the work we do with our clients.”
The Future of Marketing, AI, and Data Analytics
The evolving landscape of digital marketing was a focal point, highlighted by a keynote session featuring HBS Professors Christina Wallace and Sunil Gupta. Professor Wallace, known for her expertise in entrepreneurship and digital strategy, and Professor Gupta, a leading authority on digital marketing and customer analytics, delved into how marketing has transformed in the digital era. They discussed the integration of AI and data analytics in crafting personalized customer experiences, the shift towards omnichannel engagement, and the ethical considerations marketers must navigate in a data-driven world. Their insights provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the strategic imperatives for marketing leaders aiming to thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace.
Key Learnings from the Classroom
As an in-person attendee, Jorge participated in Harvard’s signature case method, exploring real-world challenges that call for practical judgment and critical thinking.
The Shinkansen Case: Operational Excellence and Systems Leadership
Led by Professor Ryan Buell, a specialist in service operations, this case dissected Japan’s bullet train “7-minute miracle” to explore how leadership, culture, and design thinking come together to enable high-performing teams under pressure.
AI and Artificial Wombs: Ethics and the Future
In a deeply thought-provoking session with Professor Nien-hê Hsieh, who focuses on ethics and global leadership, attendees tackled the case of artificial womb technology—not for its novelty, but as a framework for evaluating the ethical implications of AI adoption across sectors. The discussion posed critical questions: What can AI do? What should it do? And how should today’s leaders respond?
Leading Change in Complex Systems
Virtual attendees joined Professor Michael Tushman, a global authority in organizational behavior, for a live session on leading transformative change—a core challenge in today’s volatile business environment.
Leadership Development Through Global Exchange
The event wasn’t only about classroom learning. Jorge spent time networking with global peers, exchanging perspectives on how leaders across different industries and cultures are adapting to a digital-first world. Conversations ranged from the strategic use of AI to the human realities of motivating teams in uncertain times.
“It’s not just about the faculty, as extraordinary as they are,” Jorge noted. “It’s about what you hear over coffee, in small group discussions, and walking between sessions—these are the real leadership lessons.”
Although the event did not focus specifically on executive coaching, the insights Jorge gained directly enrich his work as a coach to senior leaders and entrepreneurs. Understanding how some of the world’s best minds are thinking about organizational change, decision-making, and ethics in leadership strengthens the frameworks JB Coaches brings into every engagement.
Attending Harvard Business School Connext 2025 was not just an opportunity to learn—it was an investment in staying ahead of the curve for the benefit of every client Jorge serves.
“As coaches, we’re often the sounding board when a leader is facing a complex decision,” Jorge said. “What I take from Connext helps me ask better questions, bring sharper insights, and support my clients with clarity and context.”
Final Reflection
Events like Connext remind us that leadership development is a lifelong practice. Whether it’s in the classroom, across cultures, or through meaningful dialogue, growth happens when we challenge assumptions and invite new perspectives.
At JB Coaches, we remain committed to helping leaders navigate complexity with confidence, purpose, and integrity—because great leadership isn’t just about knowing the answers. It’s about asking the right questions, and listening well.
