The Odyssey Project

In February 2008 the Drucker School was privileged to host famed leadership thinker Charles Handy, co-founder of the London Business School, as its Drucker Scholar in Residence, along with his wife Elizabeth Handy, an accomplished portrait photographer.

While they were here, the couple created a seminar class called The Odyssey Project, inspired by the legendary Odysseus and his journey of self-discovery. Odysseus spent twenty years finding his way home from Troy. It was a journey of adventure and a test of values.

New students at the Drucker School will also have the opportunity to take part in the Odyssey Project.

Here's the gist: Each person is encouraged to determine some of the things that matter most in his or her life, and then find symbolic objects to create a Still Life, modeled on the Dutch Vanitas paintings of the 16th and 17th centuries. Each object in a vanitas painting is carefully chosen for its rich layers of meaning.

For example, students in Charles Handy's seminar were asked to choose five objects and a piece of nature to represent what is most important in their lives. These items were then arranged, photographed and discussed. The idea is that the objects in the symbolic self-portraits lead participants to a richer discussion than would occur with words alone.

The resulting discussions about life, work, values and organizations help participants determine where to focus their attention - for better or worse - and how to steer the course for the future.

Incoming students of the EMP and MBA programs will have the opportunity to participate in a similar "Odyssey Project." For more information about this unique opportunity, please contact Christina Wassenaar at christina.wassenaar@cgu.edu.