The last week in Rome has been an incredible learning experience that has made me more culturally aware and curious. This week has allowed me to learn more about the rich history of Rome and how we can use this knowledge to become effective global leaders. In addition, we had the opportunity to meet with two business leaders and be able to gain more knowledge on their leadership techniques and business strategy. In order to really immerse ourselves in Italian culture we also had the opportunity to attend a Roma soccer game and eat at several authentic Italian restaurants.
Some of my most memorable places that we visited and toured included the Colosseum, the Vatican Basilica, Marotti Carlo Marble Company, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon. Each of these places created moments of astonishment such as learning that the Colosseum at times was filled up with water to perform naval battles or the architectural beauty of the Vatican church. Getting to step foot in the Roman Forum where some of the greatest leaders were elected and conducted speeches was really helpful in painting a picture of what ancient Rome was like.
So much of Roman history is still so prevalent in today’s society from the architectural beauty that we see in buildings today such as the White House, to having elaborate road systems for efficient transportation. The Roman Law of the Twelve Tables was even an inspiration to our own Bill of Rights and we also see the innovative engineering such as concrete and aqueducts. I was even able to drink from the numerous fountains around Rome where water is still being drawn from the same aqueducts of ancient times.
I have been able to learn lessons from the great rulers of Rome and the different transition periods from Kings to the Republic to Emperors. I was able to learn about some of the greatest leaders of all time including Constantine, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius both from their mistakes and accomplishments. I was able to learn from Constantine’s religious tolerance that showed the benefits of inclusivity, Hadrian’s ability to cultivate connections with allies and further develop infrastructure, and Marcus Aurelius’ stoicism which emphasized the importance of accepting events beyond one’s control. We were also able to learn from Italian business owners on the importance of cultural awareness when running an international business and how to effectively form business relationships even when cultural boundaries exist.
I was surprised at how fast moving the city was and even more shocked at how good the food was. I think I ate pizza everyday and indulged in sweets from gelato to cannolis. In conclusion, my trip to Rome was extremely beneficial to my learning and development as a global leader.
