Academia de Guvernanță. Impactful Leadership: Why Successful Entrepreneurs Need Governance and Authentic Organizational Culture
In entrepreneurship, real leadership goes beyond skills – it requires mindset, continuous learning, and an authentic organizational culture. During the Profit.ro TV Academia de Guvernanță program, Gabriela Hârțescu (Dean and Co-founder, Envisia Boards of Elite) and Radu Nemeș (Managing Partner, ONV Law) explored how leaders are shaped, why culture outweighs individuals, and how governance structures contribute to long-term business sustainability.
For Gabriela Hârțescu, governance is often misunderstood and applied superficially, limited to compliance. Meanwhile, Radu Nemeș argues that authentic leaders don’t emerge in isolation – they are a product of the group they come from.
Entrepreneurial Leadership Requires More Than Skills
According to Gabriela Hârțescu, the entrepreneurial leader of today must see their business as an active force in society, with a role in driving change. Mindset matters just as much as leadership skills — with social responsibility, creativity, and the ability to create positive impact at its core.
A leader’s attitude, the way they communicate and respond to challenges, sets the tone for the entire organization. Creativity becomes a key driver of innovation, while persuasive and empathetic communication is essential in a competitive, fast-moving business ecosystem.
Entrepreneurs must be aware that their businesses not only generate employment, but also shape the wider economic and social ecosystem. “Entrepreneurial leaders must develop a mindset that places their business in a broader economic and social context. Through their actions, they help advance both the economy and society.”
A positive attitude defines the energy and dynamic of the organization. True leaders can turn obstacles into opportunities and use creativity to connect past experiences in innovative ways — because creativity is embedded in the entrepreneur’s DNA.
The Leader as a Product of Organizational Culture
Radu Nemeș emphasizes that authentic leadership is not built in isolation. Leaders don’t create organizational culture — they are a reflection of it. Their traits arise from the interactions and values of the group they belong to.
He warns against the common misconception that leaders shape culture, when in fact, it’s often the other way around.
“Organizational culture and leadership traits stem from group interactions. A leader emerges from within that culture, shaped by the group's collective behavior and values.”
In this context, continuous learning becomes a survival skill. A healthy organizational culture cannot exist without leaders who regularly update their knowledge and understand their influence. Without a learning mindset, especially in leadership roles, stagnation becomes a real threat. In a rapidly evolving environment, leaders who stop learning may ultimately slow down the entire organization.
“An organization evolves. If the leader remains static, they risk becoming incompatible with its future.”
The Pitfalls of Self-Sufficiency and the Role of Governance
One of the most common mistakes in entrepreneurship, warns Radu Nemeș, is the belief that the leader “knows everything” and can make all decisions alone. Delegating responsibility and encouraging diverse perspectives are essential — and these come naturally in a well-structured board.
Gabriela Hârțescu highlights the ongoing misperception of governance, particularly among entrepreneurs. Many reject the idea of a Board of Directors based on negative public examples, especially from the state-owned sector. However, governance should not be seen as a formality — it is a vital mechanism for long-term strategic alignment and sustainability.
“I was surprised by how strongly some entrepreneurs reject the need for governance structures such as boards. But governance is not just about compliance — the board is as vital to a company as the heart is to the human body.”
Board Member Selection: Strategy First, Familiarity Second
The success of a board depends on how its members are selected. Choosing only from a circle of acquaintances or without a clear role profile can lead to inefficiencies. Recruitment must follow a strategic logic, aligned with the company’s vision and development strategy — and often requires external expertise.
A well-designed board operates like the organization's circulatory system — the heart that pumps strategic direction, energy, and balance between vision and execution.
Leaders Don’t Lead Alone – They Need Culture and Governance
Both Gabriela Hârțescu and Radu Nemeș emphasize that successful leadership results from a complex equation: mindset, continuous learning, governance, and a healthy organizational culture. Leaders are not isolated figures; they are the product of well-designed structures — and sustainable performance cannot be achieved without a coherent governance strategy.
Strategic Education for Sustainable Leadership
Supporting this transition toward mature, globally aligned leadership, ENVISIA offers international governance programs, including the Postgraduate Certification in Board Practice and Directorship, developed in partnership with Henley Business School – one of Europe’s most prestigious educational institutions.
This program is designed for leaders who want to expand their strategic thinking, understand the dynamics of modern governance, and build durable organizations. More than just a certification, it is a tool for reinforcing trust and integrity at the board level, contributing to the professionalization of leadership in Romania and alignment with OECD international standards.
More about the program on Envisia website.
Key Takeaways:
- Modern entrepreneurial leadership requires a strategic mindset, creativity, and empathetic communication.
- Organizational culture shapes leaders — and continuous learning is fundamental for long-term adaptation.
- Governance and boards are essential to prevent isolated decision-making and support sustainable vision implementation.
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