Program design and content
Content Strategic Leadership module
The Strategic Leadership module consists of two blocks, each lasting two days. The module is based on recent theories and approaches in the fields of leadership, strategy formulation, and strategy implementation. Throughout the course, we draw connections to the participants’ professional experiences and their own case studies. At the end, participants will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned in a practical simulation.
Program block 1
The first two days are devoted to exploring the essence of strategic leadership, during which we not only examine the theoretical foundations but also apply them directly to the complex realities of your role as an experienced manager and leader.
On the first day, we immerse you in various strategy models, with an in-depth focus on your crucial position as a middle manager. Here, we unravel the complexities of communicating strategy to your team, feeding insights back to senior management, introducing your own vision and strategic proposals, and navigating situations where strategy is lacking or even conflicting.
On the second day, you’ll get to work on influence strategies. Based on a number of case studies, you’ll gain insight into the political arena that informally exerts a major influence on the direction and actions of organizations. You’ll also learn how people behave in that political arena, gain insight into your preferred styles, and we’ll train you to strengthen your skills in organizational politics and stakeholder management.
Program block 2
Nothing prepares you better for real-world practice than learning by doing. Through a simulation, you’ll discover over the course of these two days that the practice of strategy formulation and implementation is often more challenging than the theory, and that your ability to learn on the job is crucial. During the session, you’ll receive practical tips and valuable tricks for smoothly handling unexpected events in the strategy process.
After these intensive sessions, you’ll be fully equipped to demonstrate strategic leadership within your own organization. Get ready for a transformative journey where theory and practice come together to take your leadership skills to new heights.
The Academic Director
'When a leader grows, everyone reaps the benefits. Employees are treated and managed more effectively. Teams collaborate more effectively. The department’s activities are better aligned with the organization’s goals. And the organization gains a clearer mission and focus, which also benefits society. With this conviction in mind, we have carefully designed the program. We first focus on your unique background, strengths, and challenges as a leader. From that starting point, we examine how your leadership extends to other employees, the team, the organization, and societal developments. The combination of academic content and skills training ensures that you are challenged both theoretically and practically, enabling you to take your leadership to the next level. I warmly welcome you to join this journey of development under the guidance of our top faculty and alongside other talented leaders.'
Dr. Hans van Dijk
