How does our part-time executive development programme, Leadership for a Complex World, equip you with the skills and insights required to lead your organisation through periods of complexity and transition? Read our Q&A with Christian Ellis, participant on the programme, for an insight into the knowledge and practical skills he has gained from the course.    

Please introduce yourself, telling us what motivated you to apply for the Leadership for a Complex World programme.

My name is Christian Ellis, currently studying the Leadership for a Complex World programme.

I think I found myself at work just wanting to put a little bit more theory around some of the decisions and things that I was doing in that area. Looking at different programmes, this one seemed to have a blend of the academic, but also the practical skills I could take back into the workplace. I'd previously studies at Warwick Business School, so I was really keen to come back! 

What really attracted me to this programme in particular was the broad spectrum of people that were also taking the programme. I found previously on some programmes that I attended, they were really quite specific to the area that I worked in. What I like about this one, is there are people from hospitality, sales, consulting, and more. The group of people have all been really beneficial to my learning as we are empowering each other to share our own knowledge and experience from different industries. 

What did you study previously at WBS?

I did another leadership programme, useful for when I was in the public sector. I've now transferred to the private sector so I wanted to do something that was more relevant to where I am now. 

What would you define as leadership for a complex world?

I think it means agility; agility to change your style and approach depending on the circumstances. To do that, you need to be aware that you live in and work in wicked environments. There's not one answer that fits all. The programme has taught me to have a look at what I can do to be more agile, bringing different techniques to lead. 

It also means to understand the people that you are working for, allowing you to play to people's strengths. Being a leader in a complex world empowers everyone to make the decisions they need to make, confidently. 

Are you enjoying networking with your cohort?

Absolutely! It's been key to the learning, honestly. The programme itself is fantastic, but we all get together after each day and talk in a less formal setting which has been really powerful. Being able to discuss what we've done in class afterwards has been beneficial to our learning. It's even led to one of the cohort asking us to visit their workplace! We're going to go and have a tour, which I would never have got to do if I'd not come here. 

Would you recommend this programme to others considering applying? Any advice you would share?

Yes, I would definitely recommend this programme to others. Having the time and space to come away from your workplace to actually do the thinking, is so beneficial. We all have really busy work lives, and sometimes it's difficult to take the time at work to really think about what you're doing; as soon as you come here, it gives you the space to do that. We're able to check our ideas with other people that might be going through similar issues that we have. 

I'd encourage people to really think about doing this programme because the benefits really speak for themselves. The lessons I've taken back into my workplace are invaluable. 

I was speaking to a colleague recently, and they said they have seen a big difference in how I'm approaching some of the problems that we have. That's proof I'm using the skills I've learnt here, within the workplace which has been great!

To explore this programme further and to see whether you would like to become a leader in a complex world, please see our programme page here.