Leading beyond personality
On Oct. 26, 2026, Trinity Western University's Laurentian Leadership Centre (LLC) welcomed students, internship partners, and members of the greater Ottawa community for The Ambivert Advantage: Leading Beyond Personality, an evening exploring how people can lead effectively beyond traditional personality labels.
Keynote speaker Karl Moore, associate professor at McGill University's Desautels Faculty of Management and co-author of We Are All Ambiverts Now: Introverts, Ambiverts and Extroverts in the C-Suite, challenged the idea that strong leadership belongs to one personality type. He discussed how introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts can draw on different strengths, and why adaptability and self-awareness matter in a changing world. Effective leaders learn when to listen, reflect, speak, and engage with others rather than relying solely on natural preferences.
A conversation on leadership
Following the keynote, Moore joined Dr. Todd Martin, president of Trinity Western University, and Dr. Rosemary Flaaten, executive director of the LLC, for a panel conversation. The speakers reflected on how personality has influenced their leadership journeys, the challenges of stepping beyond their natural tendencies, and lessons learned from leading in different settings. The evening also included audience questions and opportunities for conversation and networking.
The gathering brought together the LLC's current student cohort, representatives from its internship partner organizations, and guests working in different professions across Ottawa. For students, it was an opportunity to learn from experienced leaders and connect with people working in a variety of fields. For community guests, it was a chance to exchange ideas and build relationships with people from other professional backgrounds. Their participation strengthened the LLC's connection with leaders and organizations across Ottawa.
Developing competence & character
Through leadership evenings like this, the LLC seeks to serve the greater Ottawa community by hosting thoughtful conversations for people at different stages of their leadership journeys. Bringing academic research into conversation with practical experience reflects TWU's commitment to developing competence and character. It also reinforces the centre's mission of equipping people to engage thoughtfully in public life, where humility, adaptability, and attentiveness to others strengthen leadership and service.
The Laurentian Leadership Centre is Trinity Western University's Ottawa-based, live-in academic program, where students combine upper-level coursework with professional internships and community living. Through placements with parliamentary offices, nonprofit organizations, media, government relations, and other public-facing institutions, students gain practical experience while considering how faith, leadership, and responsibility shape their contribution to society.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students for life. Uniting faith and reason through Christian teaching and scholarship, TWU is a research institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the humanities and sciences as well as in several professional schools. TWU has its main campus in Langley, B.C., and campus sites in Richmond, B.C., and Ottawa, Ont.
Learn more at twu.ca or follow @TrinityWestern on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. For media inquiries, please contact media@twu.ca.