Mons. Ocáriz: “The executive creates the conditions for others to work well and grow as individuals.”

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of IESE’s activities in Madrid, Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz, Grand Chancellor of the University of Navarra and Prelate of Opus Dei, visited the campus today and addressed an auditorium filled with staff and alumni.

In his speech, he emphasized the value of work as a driving force for human, social, and spiritual development, as taught by Saint Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei, in the year that marks the 50th anniversary of his death.

In his address, Monsignor Ocáriz highlighted that true professional success is not measured only by rankings or financial results, but also by “internal successes”: those achievements that, born out of love and a spirit of service, have lasting value in the eyes of God. “Work well done out of love,” he said, “not only transforms the person who carries it out, but also those around them. It is a source of personal growth and a path to holiness.”

Recalling the teachings of Saint Josemaría, Monsignor Ocáriz advocated for a Christian vision of work as a means to improve society and a concrete way to live out charity. “Work is born of love, manifests love, and is ordered toward love,” he said.

In this context, he shared a story of leadership experienced in a U.S. hospital, where a doctor showed respect and appreciation for every team member, underscoring the importance of seeing each person with dignity, regardless of their role.

Speaking especially to IESE professionals and faculty, his message emphasized the impact of managerial work—not only in strategic terms but also in creating environments where people can grow and flourish. He insisted on the need to form prudent leaders and open-minded leaders with a sense of the common good: “Exercising prudence,” he said, “is key to making sound decisions and leading with humanity.”

The Grand Chancellor of the University of Navarra also warned against the dangers of senseless perfectionism and micromanagement, encouraging the cultivation of environments marked by freedom, trust, and development. “An executive,” he stated, “is not someone who controls every detail, but someone who creates the conditions for others to work well and grow as individuals.”

The visit concluded with a call to live with unity of life: integrating the spiritual dimension into professional day-to-day existence that work may not only be effective, but also a “worthy offering to the Creator.”

Monsignor Ocáriz’s visit brought the 50th anniversary celebrations of IESE in Madrid to a close with a gathering that honored the spiritual legacy of Saint Josemaría and renewed the commitment to a vision of work that places the human person at the center of organizations.

Read the full speech.