Leadership skills for the AI age on new Executive Education programme

Warwick Business School has launched a new Executive Education programme aimed at helping professionals move from technical specialist to effective leader.

The four-day residential WBS Learning to Lead programme has been designed specifically for professionals with three to 10 years of experience who are stepping into broader leadership responsibilities.

After discussions with leading employers, the programme responds to growing demand from organisations seeking managers who can navigate complexity, build trust and lead through influence rather than authority.

Participants will experience a blend of lectures, executive coaching, storytelling workshops, reflection activities and peer learning, with sessions covering Leading Authentically Through Change and Storytelling for Leadership Impact.

Dimitrios Spyridonidis, Professor of Leadership and Innovation and Programme Director, said: “Participants will explore topics ranging from leadership identity and strategic decision-making to influencing stakeholders, managing change and developing high-performing teams.

“Businesses are increasingly grappling with volatile environments that demand a different style of leadership.

“Rather than focusing solely on management techniques, the programme aims to equip participants with the self-awareness, judgement and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in uncertain conditions.”

He added: “Many organisations promote high-performing experts into leadership roles, but leadership requires a fundamentally different mindset.

“Success is no longer measured solely by what you achieve yourself, but by how effectively you enable others to perform, collaborate and grow. Learning to Lead is designed to help professionals make that critical transition with confidence.”

The inaugural WBS Learning to Lead programme will run from November 9 to 12, with the deadline for applications October 19.

Targeted at emerging and mid-career leaders, including team leaders, project managers, business development managers, HR professionals, consultants and technical specialists, participants will leave with a personalised leadership development plan

Plus, they will be shown how to understand their own leadership identity, how to develop a team and how to create long-term organisational impact.

Sessions will address challenges such as balancing competing stakeholder demands, making decisions in uncertain environments and leading teams through change, as well as allowing participants plenty of networking opportunities in the evening.

Building leadership skills for the AI era 

There will also be sessions on helping leaders communicate vision, create alignment and inspiring action in their team, with executive coaching and psychometric assessments helping to embed the personalised learning.

“Today's leaders operate in a BANI environment – that is, a world that is brittle, anxious, nonlinear and incomprehensible,” said Professor Spyridonidis, who has consulted for the likes of the Bank of England, car giant Jaguar Land Rover, and global airline Emirates.

“Technical expertise remains important, but organisations increasingly need leaders who can build trust and help teams thrive through this increasingly complex world.

“Our goal is to give participants the practical tools to apply immediately while developing sustainable leadership habits for the future.

“Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of their leadership strengths, values and areas for growth.

“The programme has been designed to strengthen organisational leadership pipelines, something that the new AI-world is demanding as we look to become increasingly reliant on it.”

Find out more about the WBS Learning to Lead programme.

Discover Warwick Business School’s Change Makers.