Energetic and rigorous introduction week for the new GEMBA class

It was an energetic and rigorous first week for senior managers joining the Global Executive MBA at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. The cohort of 23 participants – representing 17 nationalities – dived straight into an introduction to their Strategic Leadership Development module, a course that runs throughout the 21-month GEMBA programme. Associate professor Dr Sofya Isaakyan introduced the new cohort to the competencies that they will need to become strategic leaders. They worked on decision making and the importance of feedback and reflection, and a day-long assessment challenge designed to provide them with feedback from mentors to help them design personalised developmental journeys. In the meantime, they also engaged with guest speakers that have a wealth of practical experience in meeting the challenges of strategic leadership.

This GEMBA class brings with them a wide variety of cultural, academic and professional backgrounds. They have on average 15 years of working experience, and 9 years of managerial experience. Starting with the Strategic Leadership Development (SLD) course on Day 1 in week 1 means they can start to identify and engage with the objectives of strategic leadership. The GEMBA programme is designed for participants to experiment with new approaches learnt on campus back at their workplace after each residence at RSM.

Engaging experiences

Guest speaker Stijn Steendijk, a former chief human resources officer and now a consultant on change interventions, addressed the challenge of selecting and developing top executive teams and managing diversity in teams that are under pressure – topics that had the new students highly engaged and generated a lot of conversations.

Later in the week guest speaker Ivo Steffens, a former commercial & IT director for Dutch railway operator NS, focused on his experience working at NS, especially on the challenges he and his team went through during the Covid-19 pandemic. He introduced the idea of having a place to reflect on the world and its developments, and how this helps him to become a force for positive change in all aspects of his life as a business leader, as a father, and as a person. His skills as a natural storyteller and his truthful and straightforward approach resulted in a full and rewarding session for everyone.

Personal transformations have begun

Participant Carolina Tam, Director, Head of Division and Service Operations Management Asia at Sotheby's, said: “It was a truly diverse and global experience in an intimate cohort of 23. The colossal breadth of managerial expertise from different sectors, and the workshops and simulations conducted under pressure warranted critical feedback and vigorous self-regulation. Considering this first week, I am already sure that I am consistently being transformed every day to be a better version of myself, thus a better version of a leader.”

Victoria Gavrilina, Head of Capital Management at The Citco Group, said: “It is an amazing and uplifting feeling to be surrounded by 23 like-minded people! I felt inspired, motivated, overwhelmed, and I immediately knew that RSM was a right choice for me, and it is now the right time to do GEMBA.”

Frans Baas, Corporate Treasurer at Vesteda said: “What a week full of energy, a great kick-start of the GEMBA programme!”

Global Executive MBA

RSM’s 21-month, part-time Global Executive MBA programme prepares senior managers – who have typically grown through the ranks within their functional expertise – for a more generic strategic leadership role in the C-suite level of their business. The programme serves an observed need for senior managers to develop their knowledge in every strategically relevant functional field at a minimal level of proficiency, while developing their skills and attitudes to serve in a strategic leadership role.

More information

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) is one of Europe’s top-ranked business schools. RSM provides ground-breaking research and education furthering excellence in all aspects of management and is based in the international port city of Rotterdam – a vital nexus of business, logistics and trade. RSM’s primary focus is on developing business leaders with international careers who can become a force for positive change by carrying their innovative mindset into a sustainable future. Our first-class range of bachelor, master, MBA, PhD and executive programmes encourage them to become critical, creative, caring and collaborative thinkers and doers. www.rsm.nl

For more information about RSM or this release, please contact Pavlina Novakova, RSM corporate communications and PR manager, or Danielle Baan, science communications lead and PR, by email at press@rsm.nl.