THE GNH ENLIGHTENED BUSINESS GRADUATE FRAMEWORK
Student development at GCBS is guided by the GNH Enlightened Business Graduate Framework (GNH-EBG™), the college’s own model for bringing Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) philosophy into business education. It links what students learn in class with how they grow as people, through the LEADS core values of Leadership, Enterprising, Agility, Diversity and Sustainability. It also builds the skills employers most often say graduates lack: critical thinking, communication, adaptability, emotional intelligence and problem-solving. The framework is being introduced in phases.
THE GRADUATE WE AIM TO DEVELOP
Globally competitive: holding the transferable skills employers ask for.
Nationally purposeful: an enlightened citizen contributing to Bhutan’s GNH mission.
Professionally ethical: leading with integrity, empathy and ecological consciousness.
Culturally rooted: proud of Bhutanese identity and able to represent it globally.
Personally fulfilled: pursuing happiness and wellbeing as a life and career philosophy.
Attribute 1
Mindful decision-maker
Leadership and critical thinking, drawing on psychological wellbeing and good governance.
Attribute 2
Culturally intelligent communicator
Diversity and communication, drawing on cultural diversity and resilience.
Attribute 3
Ecologically responsible strategist
Sustainability and problem-solving, drawing on ecological diversity and resilience.
Attribute 4
Empathic stakeholder leader
Leadership and emotional intelligence, drawing on community vitality and psychological wellbeing.
Attribute 5
Resilient adaptive learner
Agility, adaptability and resilience, drawing on time use and balance, and education.
Attribute 6
Ethical governance champion
Leadership, judgement and integrity, drawing on good governance and living standards.
Attribute 7
Purposeful value creator
Enterprise and problem-solving, drawing on living standards and community vitality.
Attribute 8
Enlightened Bhutanese citizen-leader
All five LEADS values and all four GNH pillars, brought together in one identity.
The LEADS-GNH Development System™
L
Leadership of self
Mindful leadership and self-awareness. GNH domains: psychological wellbeing and good governance.
E
Enterprising spirit
Innovation and social enterprise. GNH domains: living standards and community vitality.
A
Agility and resilience
Adapting to challenge and change. GNH domains: time use and balance, and education.
D
Diversity and inclusion
Cultural intelligence and national identity. GNH domain: cultural diversity and resilience.
S
Sustainability
Green business and ESG in practice. GNH domain: ecological diversity and resilience.
GNH+
Wellbeing
Balance and mindfulness. GNH domains: health and psychological wellbeing.
GNH+
Community
Working with communities and local business. GNH domains: community vitality and living standards.
GNH+
Governance
Ethics, integrity and honour. GNH domains: good governance and education.
The Mindful Leader Programme™
Year 1
Know yourself
Leadership of self: GNH self-discovery, personal values, Bhutanese identity and the foundations of emotional intelligence.
Year 2
Lead others
Team dynamics, stakeholder leadership, community engagement and cultural intelligence, through a real community-facing project.
Year 3
Lead organisations
Ethical governance, institutional integrity and leading change from within, linked to internships and industry engagement.
Year 4
Serve Bhutan
National in scope: connecting each student’s leadership to Bhutan’s vision for its future and to their own commitment as a citizen-leader.
The Centre for Student Development supports students throughout their time at GCBS. For questions about student development, wellbeing and support, please get in touch.
Contact Student Services
