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MSc GSCMP students reflect on leadership lessons through History
On Wednesday, 6th November, students from the MSc Global Supply Chain Management and Procurement programme took part in an immersive visit to the historic World War I battlefields of the Somme, France. Accompanied by Clemente Berrios, Jr., a retired U.S. military officer with extensive experience in combat command, the visit offered students a rare opportunity to explore leadership under extreme pressure, with lessons drawn from both military and business contexts.
Learning from the battlefields of the Somme
The Somme battlefields, a symbol of resilience and historical significance, provided an impactful setting for the students’ exploration of leadership. Guided by Clemente Berrios, Jr., now working with the U.S. Department of Defense, students saw how leadership challenges from the past continue to resonate in today’s unpredictable world.
The importance of adaptable leadership
In the words of the programme’s director, Thorsten Makowski, the visit underscored the value of adaptable and responsible leadership, particularly amid today’s global uncertainties. “ In corporate supply chains, poor decisions may lead to higher costs; in military supply chains, they can mean life or death. This experience showed students the critical importance of adaptability”. By visiting the trenches and memorials, students reflected on how strategic planning and ethical decision-making shape outcomes, even in the most challenging conditions.
Insights from military and business contexts
Clemente Berrios, Jr’s background, blending military resilience with international business development, illustrated for students the demands of leadership in high-stakes environments. Reflecting on the experience, he noted, “the visit was both intellectually enriching and emotionally profound. Seeing the Somme battlefields firsthand provided an educational depth beyond the classroom, bringing into focus the realities of leadership decisions and their far-reaching consequences.”
Beyond a history lesson
For students, the journey through the Somme offered more than a lesson in history. It underscored the value of empathy, cultural awareness, and ethical responsibility — qualities essential to leadership in any field. Far from glorifying conflict, this experience reinforced the weight of responsibility that comes with leadership, shaping students’ perspectives as they prepare for careers in global supply chain management.
Learn more about the MSc Global Supply Chain Management & Procurement
