The Communication Course is a cornerstone of the IESE MBA first-year experience. Ryoji Yoshino, MBA Class of 2027 who was named Best Ethos Speaker for his outstanding speech shares his experience here.
When I stood on stage in front of 450 people at IESE’s Aula Magna, delivering my Ethos speech titled “The Power of Empathy,” I didn’t just share a story—I shared a part of my life. The speech was about my son, who lives with ADHD, and the lessons I learned about empathy, patience, and understanding. It was deeply personal, but also a universal message: a reminder that true leadership begins with compassion.
I spent many hours practicing for my speech as I had never spoken in front of such a large audience before.
Our one-week intensive Communication course pushed us far beyond our comfort zones. Each day, we practiced and delivered different types of speeches—Logos, Problem-Solution, Storytelling, Ethos, and Pathos. The goal wasn’t simply to speak well, but to learn how to connect—to move an audience not just through logic, but through authenticity and emotion. By the end of the week, professors and external coaches selected 10 students out of 421 to present on the Aula Magna stage. I was humbled to be one of them, and even more honored to be named Best Ethos Speaker of the course.
When preparing my speech, I knew I wanted to speak about something real—something that mattered deeply to me. For years, I had never shared with others about my son’s learning disability. At first, I hesitated—wondering whether I should speak about it publicly in front of people. Opening up about such a personal story takes courage and vulnerability, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready.
But the more I reflected, the more I realized that this story perfectly embodied the essence of Ethos: credibility that comes not from achievements, but from authenticity and courage. I believed that by sharing what I had learned from this experience, I could move others to reflect on empathy and how we support people around us.
It was an intense but fun week working on our speeches during the Communications Course.
I had never given a speech in front of a large audience before—let alone 450 people. So, I spent countless hours practicing and refining my delivery, revisiting the emotions of those moments. There were times during rehearsal when I couldn’t hold back tears, and I even worried whether I could stay composed on stage. Some speakers move across the stage to engage the audience—but my story was deeply personal and serious. So I chose to stand still, letting the emotion flow through my voice rather than my movement. My main message was, “When you see someone struggling, don’t put a label on them. Support them. Because, with empathy and patience, we can help people unlock their true potential.”
After the speech, many classmates and faculty members came to tell me how much the story resonated with them. Some even shared their own experiences with neurodiversity or parenting. That moment showed me something powerful—that vulnerability, when shared openly, can transform into strength and gravitas.
This experience became a defining moment in my MBA journey. It reminded me that leadership is not only about making rational decisions, but also about understanding people—their struggles, their potential, and their humanity. As I continue at IESE, I hope to keep practicing the art of storytelling and empathy, becoming a leader who not only decides but also inspires and empowers others.
It was very rewarding to see that many of my classmates resonated with my story.
Watch Ryoji’s speech here – Full video (including introduction and classmates’ reflections): https://youtu.be/zcTvdUGyKnQ
Written by Ryoji Yoshino, MBA Class of 2027
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