By ISABELLA CASTAÑEDA RODRÍGUEZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL
As part of the C-Suite Conversations series, Fernanda Guarro, Managing Director of 3M Mexico, shared key perspectives on leading with purpose and fostering a culture of innovation with students from the EGADE Full-Time MBA and Master in Business Management programs.
In her conversation with Horacio Arredondo, Dean of EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Guarro emphasized that purpose is the anchor that keeps teams focused amid organizational transformation. For her, leading with purpose means constantly asking “why” behind every action.
“It’s not just about what we do, but why we do it. If there’s no powerful reason behind a transformation, we need to ask ourselves if it truly makes sense,” she said.
She also noted that in the age of artificial intelligence, purpose gives direction to technology, as AI provides data, but only people can give it meaning.
INNOVATION AS A CULTURAL ENGINE
Guarro explained that at 3M, innovation is an active part of the culture and takes two forms: disruptive innovation, led by the company’s 3,000 scientists, and incremental innovation, driven by over 65,000 employees across different areas.
Fostering an innovative culture, she said, requires curiosity, courage, and a willingness to learn, even in the face of failure. “What I always promote in our culture is asking if we can do something differently, cheaper, faster, or better,” she commented.
One tool that exemplifies this approach is the 15% rule: each employee is empowered to spend 15% of their time developing new ideas, without needing prior approval.
“Everyone, regardless of their role or department, can use 15% of their time to improve something through innovation,” she explained.
DIVERSITY AND WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
The executive also discussed the role of women in business leadership and reflected on her personal journey as the head of a global company. She noted that one of the most important lessons she learned was to trust herself as much as others believed in her.
“Women shouldn’t think about glass ceilings. They can reach any position they aim for. The key is to prepare, be open to new challenges, and believe in yourself,” she said.
Guarro also takes seriously her responsibility as a leader to mentor and support other women in reaching leadership roles, and dedicates a significant part of her agenda to promoting inclusion.
For her, diversity becomes a true source of innovation when leaders build spaces where every voice matters:
“You must use your voice to raise difficult conversations when you believe you can make a difference,” she concluded.
