Leadership doesn’t only rest exclusively in the hands of the leader. To get your business going, you have to get your people on board. This three-day programme by RSM Executive Education will boost your skills to inspire, engage and motivate others, and teaches you the power of presence to reach your organisation’s goals.

Woman giving a presentation.

Interested in a programme for your entire team?

Discover our options for customised and in-company programmes tailor-made for your organisation.

Learning goals

After this programme, you can add these strengths to your knowledge and skill set. 

  • Gain the key insights on being a successful leader in a challenging business climate.  
  • Use practical skills, time management applications and work values to develop your own leadership style.  
  • Use tools to mobilise and nurture the talents of the people in your team.  
  • Create effective networks and grow your social capital.  
  • Inspire and motivate people around you.  
  • Lead effectively even in high-pressure situations.  
  • Present yourself effectively in various settings.   
  • Connect with others and build trust more quickly.  

For whom

Explore if this course is for you

Your roles

  • Committed to achieving leadership excellence in yourself and others
  • Project manager
  • Senior specialist
  • Future team leader

Your responsibilities

  • Get people on board
  • Reach your highest personal and professional potential

Your challenges

  • Creating more efficiency in day-to-day challenges
  • Becoming more effective and impactful as a leader
  • Understanding what motivates you and others

Read what previous participants say about this programme

Christian Pille

CX Design Strategist at Philips

The programme was an enjoyable and enriching challenge that exceeded my expectations. I chose RSM based on its reputation and the experience of the trainers, and for a holistic approach to leadership development. What stood out was the focus on scientific context and practical self-management tools that enabled me to shape my unique leadership style and to mobilise and nurture the talents within my team. I appreciated the emphasis on effective non-verbal communication for leading under pressure. I learned to consciously use my presence with body language and voice for difficult communications and decision-making, making me a more effective leader. It was a transformative journey that has empowered me to connect, inspire, and motivate. I highly recommend it.

Dick Hissink

Sales Director and Sub-Geo Leader Business Transformation Benelux at Dassault Systemes B.V.

In the 'Age of Experience', leadership is changing. RSM has clearly understood this and I had the pleasure of attending the three-day RSM course 'Essentials of Leadership'. It was the best investment in my own training I've made for a long time, and gave me lots of practical guidance that I can use directly in my job. I can highly recommend this programme to both new and experienced leaders!

Your expert faculty

During the Essentials of Leadership Programme you will learn from Mr. Patrick Lybaert, Ms. Milly Obdeijn and Mr. Antonie Knoppers. Occasionally we may substitute other faculty members according to the content of the programme and their availability.

Mr. Patrick Lybaert

Patrick Lybaert is a trainer and consultant in organisational growth and development, corporate transformation and culture change. He has led courses in the European banking sector, and conducts individual coaching and counselling for managers. He works with top management teams to help them to define mission, strategy and vision, and to find ways to work effectively to achieve their goals. He co-founded several organisations to support managers moving up towards success, deliver seminars and learning solutions worldwide, and create a network of global leadership experts and practitioners. More than 40,000 participants from various sectors have attended Patrick’s seminars.

Mr. Antonie Knoppers

Antonie Knoppers is a trainer, coach, facilitator, guest speaker and actor. He trains individuals and teams on leadership and personal development, presence, communication skills, storytelling, and presentation through his company D&A Trainingen. He is co-author of Leading with Presence (Emerald Publishing 2021) and wrote How To Have Effective Zoom Meetings—And Make Them Less Boring for Forbes magazine (March 2021). He is adjunct faculty at RSM and guest faculty at Nyenrode University and the University of Maastricht. Antonie holds a Master’s degree in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University (Summa Cum Laude) and a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of San Diego/Old Globe Theatre.

Ms. Amanda Wolzak

Amanda Wolzak is a trainer at RSM and teaches the Essentials of Leadership. As a trainer in the business world, Amanda specialises in voice, presence, storytelling and improvisation. Her previous work in professional theatre and film and drama across the UK, Netherlands, Germany and Finland has enriched her training capabilities. And she calls on the teachings of Grotowski, Le Page, Brecht and Stanislavski in her work. Amanda’s goal is to inspire, invent and challenge students to be in the moment and release tension when presenting to small and large groups. She has worked in Europe, USA, and South Africa with company consultants, HR specialists, technical staff, CFOs and CEOs.

More information

Programme dates

26 - 28 June 2024

11 - 13 December 2024

Waiting list

26 - 28 March 2024
 

These dates are fully booked. Missed out on a spot? Contact our Programme Advisor, Erika Kataveli, to be placed on the waiting list. 

Programme fee

€ 3,600 (excl. 21% VAT) including course materials, lunches, and snacks. This fee does not include hotel accommodation.

25% discount for alumni from Erasmus University Rotterdam and RSM.

A programme for your entire team

All of our short courses can also be delivered as personalised in-company training to groups of employees from the same organisation. This enables us to develop a comprehensive programme that focuses on your organisation’s own unique situation and issues. 

Frequently asked questions

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) offers a dynamic learning environment for professionals looking for new skills and knowledge in business and management education. 

  • RSM is consistently ranked among Europe’s top business schools.
  • World-class professors and a globally oriented faculty deliver business leaders with an innovative mindset.
  • A prestigious Triple Crown accreditation puts RSM among the top 1% of business schools worldwide.
  • With our no-nonsense approach, RSM's goal is to give you the tools to put your new skills and knowledge directly into practice, for real impact.
  • It’s about you: during your programme you can discuss your specific business challenges and receive personal coaching.
  • You will meet a new network of peers in an RSM programme: extend your network, share experiences and become inspired by your fellow participants.

This programme takes place in Bayle building on the Woudestein Campus of Erasmus University Rotterdam, just 15 minutes by public transport from Rotterdam city centre. Our modern and lively campus has innovative study facilities, sustainable design, and calming green spaces.

Most programmes start at 09:00. Finishing times are different for each programme. There’s also an approximate schedule in each programme’s brochure and on its webpages. When you register for a programme you will be given access to Canvas, our online learning system, and the full schedule is in Canvas. Your programme manager will hand out a detailed schedule on the first day of your programme.

Class sizes are usually between 12 to 24 people, but it does depend on the programme. We aim for a balance between allowing capacity to guarantee individual attention, and achieving a good group dynamic and networking opportunities.

Yes. Alumni from RSM and Erasmus University Rotterdam receive a 25 per cent discount. RSM alumni are those who have completed either a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, PhD or at least one executive education programme of more than 40 hours duration. Participants of open programmes of less than 40 hours do not receive a discount. Companies sponsoring several participants may also be offered a special price.

These programmes are excluded from this alumni discount:

  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Excellence Programme
  • Leadership Challenges with Data Analytics
  • Urban Digital Innovation Executive Leadership for a Green Deal
  • Executive Master in Customs and Supply Chain Compliance
  • Business Valuation
  • Port Executive Leadership Circle
  • Corporate Communication programmes
  • Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship programmes
  • RSM Customised Programmes
  • Programmes offered outside RSM Executive Education

Programme fees include tuition, programme materials, plus lunch and refreshments throughout the programme. Hotel accommodation is not included, unless mentioned otherwise in the programme information.

If you require hotel accommodation, we recommend the Novotel Rotterdam Brainpark Hotel and the Bilderberg Park Hotel. Both hotels are located in Rotterdam, accessible to the university, and participants can benefit from special rates.

Please note that due to high demand, we advise you to book your hotel stay for any program as early as possible with a flexible rate.

Our general terms and conditions apply when you register for an open programme. Please review them to learn more about our policies for cancellation, deferral and substitution.

If you have more general questions, we recommend you explore our more in-depth FAQs page. If you are looking for personal advice, then please contact one of our advisors using the contact form below.

Erika Kataveli

Programme advisor

It's my priority to help you identify how you can meet your professional objectives, so reach out and let's make a plan for your personal development.

Interested in exploring our full offering of leadership courses?