If you believe the typical media story, it seems that leaders are just born that way – that the truly great CEOs in business have some type of genetic predisposition for being excellent leaders. And while natural talent does play a significant role, becoming a leader is definitely something that can be learned.
The industry certainly believes this. Even back in 2020, leadership training investments were put at USD 350bn globally, and the figure has continued to climb since then. But ‘leadership’ as an idea remains elusive. Everyone recognises it when it’s in action, but it’s difficult to actually define. What’s even trickier is how we go about attaining those qualities – is it something you learn in-house, at a college, perhaps a short course? What’s the best route?
That’s what this article explores, from traditional degrees to short courses and everything in between. It also examines cross-disciplinary learning and how today’s best leadership courses draw from multiple disciplines.
Putting in the foundations with degrees and courses
There are hundreds of universities and business schools worldwide that offer specialised business courses. Some of the most high profile in the US include the Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Wharton School; in Europe, the London Business School in the UK (as well as Oxford and Cambridge business schools), IESE Business School in Spain, and HEC in Paris; then closer to home, there is INSEAD Middle East Campus (Abu Dhabi), and American University in Dubai. But the list could easily take up twenty pages.
These kinds of schools offer a range of degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including MBA programmes that include leadership modules as well as specific EMBA (Executive MBA) courses that focus solely on leadership. Alternatively, they often also offer shorter executive education programmes for those not wanting to commit to long-term learning. These range from weekend courses to multi-week diploma-based programmes.
What to expect from a leadership-focused business degree
If you were to study in one of the major global universities and study an MBA, EMBA or executive training course, you would likely cover the following topics:
- How people think and act: You might call it ‘organisational behaviour’, but this is essentially all about understanding how people are motivated, how groups work in terms of dynamics, as well as the decision-making process and its impact.
- Strategy: This is a crucial one for leaders, focusing on taking a step back to gain the ability to see the bigger picture and make high-impact decisions. It helps you anticipate challenges that may come up in the future and take strategic action.
- Emotional intelligence: When working with people, it’s important to manage your emotions and respond appropriately to others. This is something you can hone over time, and it is central to effective leadership.
- Communication: Good communication is critical when attempting to align your team behind your vision. When you have everyone on board, leadership becomes that much easier.
- Ethics: Becoming aware of the wider social impact of your leadership decisions is increasingly important in modern business.
Additionally, you need time for reflection. This means analysing your past decisions, the values you want to uphold, and your interpersonal skills. This should be combined with feedback from peers or mentors – a key feature of the best leadership programmes.
To be clear, leadership cannot be entirely taught in a classroom. There is an aspect to it that must be practical. To that end, the better programmes create real organisational challenges where students can apply leadership frameworks in practice. While it’s difficult to completely replicate high-pressure decisions, it goes a long way to teaching adaptive thinking and allows students to develop and refine leadership skills ‘in the moment’.
The short course and intensive programme
Committing to a university degree is not for everyone. To that end, there are several shorter-term executive education programmes specifically designed for those already in managerial roles who wish to transition into leadership positions. These are usually more intensive and may last from a few days to several weeks.
The great strength of these programmes is that they often use immersive case studies and simulations, so participants might work through a scenario involving a company in crisis and then practice making decisions under pressure. This approach allows for a fuller experience, along with time to reflect on the consequences of those decisions.
These programmes also create the opportunity for coaching and mentorship, with course participants paired with more experienced executives who provide guidance and feedback. This gives invaluable insights into real-world challenges.
Pulling from other areas to enrich business leadership
Today, regardless of the length of the course, the best leadership education programmes incorporate a variety of other disciplines. Alongside the traditional modules on management, psychology, and business strategy, we are increasingly seeing programmes include everything from ethics and philosophy, sociology, and even anthropology. These disciplines help participants understand the cultural and organisational dynamics of their organisation and the world around them. Meanwhile, studying global economics brings deeper insights into how your business fits within the wider world.
These skills are evident in the best leaders, and a strong cross-disciplinary approach is always going to be more effective than a single skill set. For the next generation of leaders, analytical ability must be paired with empathy and creativity, along with a strong ethical foundation. Combining these skills will result in a far more rounded leader.
Studying your way to great leadership
A leader’s skills are forged through formal education and practical experience. For those seeking to enhance their leadership skills, numerous options are available. The key is to evaluate the course beforehand and ensure it provides what you need to take the next step in your career or refine your current role.
Ask whether the programme combines classroom learning with experiential projects – without that practical experience, it’s much harder to take what you’ve learned and put it into practice. Look also for programmes that offer mentorship, as simply being around those who are more experienced is a priceless experience. The overall goal should be to cultivate a nuanced understanding of what it means to lead.
There is no universally ideal course for leadership. But finding the right approach for you – be it a degree-level programme or a weekend short course – can help provide the necessary knowledge and skills that allow you to lead with real impact.
