IE Talk: How to get Winners, not Whiners

Every leader wants a motivated team that’s passionate about the mission and fully engaged with clients. And employees want the same thing — to feel part of a winning team where their contributions matter and success is shared. When clients are engaged, they stay longer, buy more, and help drive stronger results. But here’s the reality: you don’t get the culture you hope for; you get the culture you tolerate. If mediocrity, negativity, or the “not my job” mindset is allowed to linger, it becomes the standard — and that standard holds everyone back.

This session is about shifting from a culture of excuses to a culture of energy, ownership, and drive. You’ll discover how to:

• Create an environment where people feel empowered and energized

• Encourage creativity, initiative, and commitment at every level

• Build a climate where individuals, teams, and the organization thrive together

By the end, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to boost engagement, transform attitudes, and shape a workplace where winners — not whiners — set the tone.

Agenda

• 18:00 – 18:10: Welcome by IE University

• 18:10 – 19:30: IE Talk “How to Get Winners, Not Whiners” by IE Professor Erik Hiep

• 19:30 – 20:30: Networking cocktail

About the Speaker

Erik Hiep is the founder of management consultancy The Next Level (2002) and Associate Professor at IE Business School in Madrid. With decades of international consulting experience across more than 30 countries, Erik has advised top management teams and boards worldwide. In 2018, he interviewed former UK Prime Minister David Cameron live on stage at the Breaking Barriers Summit before an audience of 2,000+. He holds an MBA from the University of Glasgow and is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy in the Netherlands (Infantry & Faculty of Social Sciences and Psychology).