My Warwick MBA Residential Week: Leadership & Learning

Experienced management consultant and Global Online MBA participant Emre Hocaoğlu recounts the Residential Week experience, offering insights into leadership, learning, and the power of a diverse global cohort.

In the wake of recent disruptive digital and social transformations in the business ecosystem, classical skill sets have been replaced by new-generation competencies, including agility, empathy, resilience, digital literacy, awareness of artificial intelligence, and solid leadership skills.

Consequently, after several years of experience in management consulting, strategy, and business development fields, managing a wide range of projects at both local and multinational companies, I chose to pursue the Global Online MBA at Warwick Business School, renowned for its world-class teaching and ranked among the global top 3 by the Financial Times.

Learning through diverse leadership lenses

Although the MBA has a wide range of amazing opportunities, the quality of the cohort was the programme's key differentiator. In addition to the world-class educational experience, the programme offers the opportunity to work with senior executives from around the globe. Senior leaders from Tokyo to the United States, with solid expertise in consulting, banking, FMCG, and beyond, challenge you to be a better version of yourself. As someone who believes in the idea of "work with the best to be the best," I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing cohort.

Residential Week: From lectures and keynotes to coaching and car museums

The Residential Week really exemplifies this value, giving us the fantastic opportunity to meet and network with our cohort. Intensive lectures solidify theory, while structured Leadership & Development sessions with top coaches push us to conduct a detailed audit of our strengths and weaknesses and to identify the same in others—an essential skill for any leader. For example, in our coaching session we had the chance to discuss our leadership development areas with the performance & motivation coach of Manchester City Football Club which was an experience to remember for a lifetime.
 

Evening keynotes from top business leaders, combined with curated social events, turned high-level insights into lasting professional relationships. For example, we had dinner at the British Motor Museum, where we had the chance to explore the museum without other visitors and listen to the career stories of senior executives at British Motor. As a car enthusiast, it was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed. By considering all of the events, career days, and countless face-to-face discussions with senior executives, I left campus with a sharper strategic direction, specific collaboration plans, and a network ready to co-lead ventures on every continent.
 

Also, let's not forget to mention the incredible Warwick campus. During my time on campus, I had the chance to take advantage of many opportunities, from the library to the Arts Centre. I claim that it is impossible for someone who goes to the University of Warwick to not improve themselves in every field, from sports to art, from history to music.
 

Advice to aspiring Change Makers

Ultimately, my advice to future Change Makers would be: if you aim to generate a meaningful impact in the business world, utilise this programme as much as you can. Immerse yourself in its resources, contribute boldly to the cohort, and unlock the strategic agility required to lead in the re-engineered business world. And do not forget to enjoy!