The Essentials of Leadership programme strengthens your core leadership skills, thereby defining you as an effective leader at every stage of your journey. Grounded in RSM’s research excellence and experiential learning, this programme helps you to translate self-awareness, accountability and authentic communication into tangible impact within your own leadership context.
This course is offered by Rotterdam School of Management b.v.. For more information about the legal structure of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, visit this page.
Leaders like you, at every level, face increasing pressure to deliver results while inspiring others and staying true to their values in today’s ever-changing business environment. You may feel you have mastered technical expertise, yet you struggle to lead with confidence, clarity and authenticity. At RSM Executive Education, we recognise this challenge and have developed the Essentials of Leadership programme to help you strenghten the foundations of your leadership impact.
Designed and taught by Professor Hannes Leroy and RSM’s expert faculty team, this six-month journey blends academic excellence with hands-on learning. You begin with an evidence-based 360° assessment, followed by a three-day in-person experience and six months of guided peer consulting sessions. During the small-group sessions, personal reflection, and feedback moments, you build practical skills in accountability, courageous conversations, and authentic communication.
Rooted in the latest research on moral humility and leadership development, this programme fosters long-term behavioural change and measurable workplace impact. As a graduate, you receive a certification from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, confirming your progress as a purposeful and effective leader.
It was a very engaging and enriching experience right from the start, with practical techniques, valuable insights, and diverse learning experiences.
It was tailor‑made to provide a strong kick start to leadership and went far beyond formal concepts, helping me to develop a leadership mindset and, in many ways, a better version of myself. I learned how to articulate goals and roadmaps more effectively with my squad, area, or tribe. My leadership style has evolved from being more immediate and task‑focused to a broader, long‑term, and value‑driven approach, which I now actively apply in my professional role. I now feel more capable of handling situations, people, and challenges with greater confidence and maturity than before.
There’s an excellent balance of indoor theoretical learning and outdoor experiential activities, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and each topic seamlessly bridged into the next. The professors were friendly and approachable, and always open to providing individual attention whenever needed after the sessions.
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.
During the Essentials of Leadership Programme you will learn from Dr. Jasmien Khattab, Dr. Jorrit Alkema and Dr. Seval Gündemir. Occasionally we may substitute other faculty members according to the content of the programme and their availability.
Dr. Jasmien Khattab is an assistant professor of innovation management at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM). She obtained her PhD in organisational behaviour at RSM and was a post-doctoral researcher at the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia. Jasmien has also worked as a policy officer for the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the EU and the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice.
Jasmien investigates how organisations can reduce structural inequality, for example, stereotypes and leadership, social networks and diversity, and diversity and inclusion practices. Her work has been published in Academy of Management Annals and in Academy of Management Review.
Dr. Jorrit Alkema is a lecturer in Organisational Behaviour and Leadership in the Department of People and Organisations at RSM., Erasmus University. His teaching and research focus on motivation, leadership (development), and well-being, areas in which he has developed deep expertise through both academic work and practical experience.
He earned his PhD from RSM in 2022, completing a dissertation titled “Ready, set, go (al)! New Directions in Goal‑Setting Research.” Other scholarly contributions include publishing in The Leadership Quarterly and partaking in numerous academic conferences in the last decade (e.g., Academy of Management Annual Meetings, European Association of Work and Organisational Psychology Congresses, Inner Development Goals Summits). Before his academic career, he gained professional experience at organisations including Royal FrieslandCampina and the Erasmus University Rotterdam.
As a lecturer, envisioning himself as a serving teacher, he continually aims to offer his students evidence-based, practically relevant learning experiences.
Dr. Seval Gündemir is an associate professor in RSM’s Department of People and Organisations. Her research examines processes within and across employee groups in organisations, with a focus on diversity, equality, inclusion, leadership, and teamwork. She studies how personal and group-based differences shape how people work together and how these differences can be managed effectively in the workplace, enabling employees to thrive and organisations to perform at their best. Seval teaches and leads research programmes on diversity and inclusion management, inclusive leadership, employee support and resistance for organisational change, and collaboration in organisational settings.
December 2026
In-person days: 9 - 11 December 2026
After that three intervision sessions and a graduation over 6 months.
February 2027
In-person days: 1 - 3 February 2027
After that three intervision sessions and a graduation over 7 months.
April 2027
In-person days: 21 - 23 April 2027
After that three intervision sessions and a graduation over 7 months.
June 2027
In-person days: 9 - 11 June 2027
After that three intervision sessions and a graduation over 7 months.
€ 4,400 (excl. 21% VAT) including course materials, lunches, and snacks. This fee does not include hotel accommodation.
15% discount for alumni from Erasmus University Rotterdam and RSM
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.
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) offers a dynamic learning environment for professionals looking to learn new skills and gain more knowledge in business and management education.
Here’s why you should choose RSM:
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 CEST. 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 and 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 15% discount.*
RSM alumni are students who have completed either a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, PhD or one executive education programme of more than 40 credit hours. Additionally, companies which sponsor several participants may also be offered a special price.
Only open programmes of more than 40 credit hours confer alumni status and qualify participants for the alumni discount on subsequent open programmes.
*please note that discounts are not stackable and that the following programmes are excluded:
Advanced Management and Leadership Programme
Diploma Programme in Digital Transformation
Diploma Programme in Advanced Business Valuation
Diploma Programme in General Management
Programmes offered by the Erasmus Centre for Data Analytics (ECDA)
Space for Business
Programme fees include tuition, programme materials, access to the RSM study facilities and dynamic learning environment. This also includes lunch and refreshments throughout the programme.
Hotel accommodation is not included, so please make individual arrangements for your stay in Rotterdam. See more information in the Transportation, directions and accommodation section below.
If you require hotel accommodation during your stay in Rotterdam, we recommend a few hotels:
Please contact the hotels directly to make and secure your own reservations.
Note: We recommend that you select the flexible booking option when reserving a room.
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.
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.