Drawing from his experience in organizational transformation, Harman invited students to understand how values can be translated into management systems, how organizational culture influences productivity, and how innovation and technology can support organizations in navigating change.

Organizational Culture as a Foundation
Harman explained that organizational values need to become part of the way people work and make decisions, rather than merely being written statements. He shared how values at ParagonCorp are translated into everyday behaviors, including care, humility, resilience, and a commitment to continuous learning.

According to Harman, innovation requires openness to new perspectives, the ability to understand the needs of others, and the resilience to turn ideas into reality. In this regard, organizational culture is closely connected to an organization’s ability to grow and develop.

He also introduced the principle “Let us return to being human” as a reminder that systems, processes, and targets need to be designed with consideration for the people who carry them out.

“The center of gravity of everything should be human,” he said.

In this context, Harman discussed Creating a Growth Reaction Chain, which describes how positive energy within an organization can drive a chain of change and growth. Conversely, cultural entropy, including distrust, conflict, and dysfunctional behavior, can hinder productivity.

Connecting Ideas with Execution

The discussion then moved to the relationship between entrepreneurship and management. Harman explained that entrepreneurship plays a role in transforming ideas into goals, while management ensures that these goals can be achieved through proper planning and execution.

He presented the “Rasa–Cerita–Nyata” approach within the Paragon Management System (PARMASYS), which illustrates the process of translating aspirations into initiatives and concrete actions. The approach highlights the importance of connecting organizational values, strategies, and activities so that goals do not remain merely conceptual.

“This provides an illustration of how management concepts can be applied to address organizational challenges, from aligning goals to developing a work culture that supports innovation,” he explained.

Innovation and Technology to Navigate Change

Harman also highlighted the importance of developing adaptive ways of working. He shared an example of accelerating New Product Development (NPD), demonstrating how work processes can be reviewed and redesigned to improve the speed and effectiveness of innovation.

According to Harman, technology and data can help organizations make decisions, but they still need to be complemented by human capabilities to understand context, assess situations, and identify opportunities.

“AI will not replace humans, but humans who cannot use AI may be replaced,” he said.

The message underscored the importance of continuous learning and adaptability amid rapid technological developments.

He also encouraged students to view growth as a means of expanding the benefits an organization can create.

“It is not about pursuing growth first and then creating benefits. Rather, because we want to create benefits, we want to grow,” he said.

Through the Studium Generale, students gained perspectives on the interconnectedness of values, organizational culture, management, and innovation. The discussion provided valuable insights into how knowledge and technological expertise need to be complemented by organizational management skills and a commitment to people in order to create sustainable contributions to society.