Giving Voice To Values

Mary C. Gentile, Ph.D., is a prominent figure in the field of values-driven leadership and ethics, particularly known for developing the Giving Voice to Values (GVV) curriculum. Her academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary and later, a Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo, both focusing on ethics and business management. Gentile’s professional career is marked by her pioneering work at Harvard Business School (HBS), where she was a faculty member from 1985 to 1995. During her tenure at HBS, Gentile not only taught ethics, management, and leadership but also co-authored and edited influential texts such as Can Ethics Be Taught: Perspectives, Challenges, and Approaches at the Harvard Business School, which examined how ethical principles can be integrated into business education.

Her experience at Harvard proved to be a cornerstone in shaping the Giving Voice to Values (GVV) approach, which she eventually developed at Babson College, where she continues to teach. GVV focuses on ethical action rather than ethical analysis and emphasizes the importance of pre-scripting and rehearsal to empower individuals to voice and act upon their values in workplace settings. The GVV curriculum has been integrated into various institutions worldwide, including business schools, corporations, and NGOs. Gentile’s approach diverges from traditional business ethics teaching by not only engaging with “what is right” but also focusing on how individuals can effectively act on their beliefs in complex environments.

Gentile roots her work deeply in practical application, and she draws from decades of experience of teaching leadership and ethics at some of the most prestigious institutions in the United States. In addition to her time at HBS and Babson College, she has also served as a senior research scholar at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Her practical experience as a consultant in leadership development and values-based decision-making for global organizations like The World Bank and The Aspen Institute further informs her pedagogy.

Throughout her career, Gentile has been recognized with several accolades. Among them is her induction into the prestigious Thinkers50 Hall of Fame in 2018, which honors the most influential management thinkers globally. She was also named in the Lifetime Achievement Award from Trust Across America in recognition of her significant contributions to advancing trust and integrity in business. Her research continues to influence ethical leadership development, and her insights have been published in renowned outlets, including Harvard Business Review, Strategy+Business, and Financial Times.

Gentile’s describes her approach as deeply personal, driven by her belief in the capacity of individuals to enact change through their voices and actions. This personal mission is reflected in the core ideas of Giving Voice to Values, where she emphasizes the importance of practicing ethical responses to workplace dilemmas, suggesting that ethics is not just about knowing what is right, but about finding the courage and preparation to act on those values. Gentile’s personal and professional journey has shaped her pragmatic approach to leadership development and ethical advocacy, inspiring thousands of professionals to integrate their values with their professional actions.

Throughout her career, Gentile has remained committed to bridging the gap between theoretical ethics and real-world application, making her an influential figure in both academic and corporate sectors. Her work empowers individuals and organizations to align their actions with their ethical principles, fostering workplaces that prioritize integrity and responsibility.