FAST COMPANY: How do you inspire your staff?
STEPHEN HODGES: Let's recognize that most staff within all companies are uninspired. They're uninspired because they're operating within their comfort zone, they're not being stretched, and they themselves don't know their own limits. So here at holt we like to stretch our staff by setting audacious goals for them and helping them achieve those goals. At first they're daunted, but as they make progress, they're inspired, and ultimately, they look back at what they've achieved with immense pride.
How do you inspire your staff?
Stephen Hodges joined Hult International Business School as Chairman of the Board in January 2006 and was elected President in August 2006, bringing with him a strong background in international business.
Before coming to Hult, Dr. Hodges ran several large businesses and worked in a number of different countries: Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Taiwan, Spain, Germany, Sweden, and the United States as well as his home country, the United Kingdom. A businessman for most of his life, Dr. Hodges is a strong advocate of practical education. He said, "Hult strives to provide an open learning platform that fosters an easy exchange of ideas, intellectual growth, and innovation. Our aim is to significantly enhance each student's career by strengthening his or her ability to contribute meaningfully to his business and his community."
Prior to joining the business school, he was the General Manager of Credit Cards for Standard Chartered Bank in Hong Kong, overseeing a multi-billion dollar portfolio and acting as a major driver of the bank's profits. During his time with Standard Chartered, he held a number of other important positions and was heavily involved in several major acquisitions undertaken by the bank. Dr. Hodges started his career with McKinsey & Company in London, where he was an associate principal. He served a number of financial institutions and technology companies across Europe and Asia, working closely with their senior management. While at McKinsey, Dr. Hodges specialized in establishing new businesses for his clients. He led the creation of several new Internet companies in the United Kingdom as well as a credit card company in Spain.
Dr. Hodges is a British citizen and holds a Ph.D from Manchester University and an MA from Cambridge University. He completed two years of post-doctorate research in electronic engineering with AT&T Laboratories in Cambridge and is the co-author of several patents in data communication.
In his spare time, Dr. Hodges is passionate about soccer and supports Tottenham Hotspur, watching matches whenever he finds the time to be in London.
