Kristen Hadeed Ignites Human Leadership at Rose-Hulman’s Swearingen Leadership Series
Kristen Hadeed, author of "Permission to Screw Up," shared advice about human leadership and creating engaged work cultures as part of the Swearingen Leadership Series.
Kristen Hadeed, acclaimed entrepreneur and leadership expert, delivered an inspiring message of vulnerability and authentic leadership to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students during the Swearingen Leadership Series on March 27. Hadeed's keynote, titled "Igniting Human Leadership," captivated students, faculty, and staff in the campus’ Mussallem Union.
Drawing from her experience founding Student Maid at age 19 and nurturing it into a company renowned for its people-first culture, Hadeed shared valuable insights on leading with empathy and learning from failure. Her message resonated strongly with Rose-Hulman's aspiring engineers and scientists, who are preparing to become the next generation of technical leaders.
"Leadership isn't about having all the answers," Hadeed emphasized. "The only way to know how to do something is to have the experience of knowing how not to do it." She illustrated this point with anecdotes from her entrepreneurial journey, highlighting how embracing mistakes led to personal growth and company success.
The Swearingen Leadership Series, which is part of Rose-Hulman’s Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program, invites prominent figures to share their leadership insights with students. The series has featured figures such as Kate Maxwell, Chief Technology Officer of Microsoft Federal, and Hank Green, a renowned science communicator and entrepreneur. These speakers provide students with diverse perspectives on leadership within STEM fields, helping them grow into well-rounded leaders.
Hadeed asked students to imagine their leadership and their interactions from the other person’s perspective. “What is it like to be on the other side of me?” She encouraged them to wonder, “When someone is interacting with you, how do you make them feel?”
Kristen Hadeed's emphasis on authentic leadership closely reflects the mission of the Swearingen Leadership Series and Rose-Hulman’s LEAD program. The series continues to empower Rose-Hulman students to lead with confidence, authenticity, and a human touch as they pursue careers in STEM fields.