The rules of the game change the moment you step into senior leadership, yet far too many professionals are playing with an outdated handbook.According toMcKinsey research,between 27 and 46 percent of executive transitions are viewed as failures or disappointments within two years, because appointees are ill-equipped to handle the jump in complexity required. In South Africa, this “readiness gap” cannot be bridged by technical expertise alone, research finds; it requires a pivot towardhigh-level behavioural skills such as leadership, communication, and entrepreneurial agility. In response to this disconnect, Henley Business School has launched anew Executive Development Programme(EDP) designed to fast-track managers into the C-suite, equipping them with the skills that define modern business leadership but are among the hardest to master: strategy, innovation, digital transformation, and leadership.
‘Henley’s EDP is designed for aspiring leaders who value flexibility and don’t have the time or resources to study a formal degree, or who are looking for a programme that allows them to target their unique skills gap,’ says Luke Andrews, EDP Programme Director. ‘Most executive programmes at this level offer a fixed curriculum, but we find that each leader has a signature skills gap that requires a customisable option,’ he adds. ‘By creating this flexible and personalised, non-academic track, Henley’s EDP offers the best of both worlds: a supportive cohort of like-minded professionals in a formal business school environment, but with radical flexibility that allows delegates to build executive capability in the targeted areas where they think they are weakest.’ ‘For many ambitious professionals, the only barrier to executive education is time.
Acknowledging the “always-on” reality of modern business, this course offers a flexible, practical and customisable alternative to traditional long-form programmes. ‘Our goal is to provide a fast track for leaders to fill their strategic gaps before they become career-limiting stumbling blocks.’ ‘We’ve designed this programme for professionals who recognise that their next career leap requires more than operational excellence or old-school frameworks – it demands confident strategic leadership, problem-solving capabilities, and innovative thinking,’ says Jonathan Stock, Director of Open and Accredited Undergraduate Programmes at Henley Africa. He adds that the programme combines Henley’s proven short-course content with personalised coaching and real-world application.
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Delegates will also gain access to leading international faculty from the Henley Business School global network at a local price point. ‘The economies of scale achieved on our Joburg campus mean that we can offer our flagship international content taught by global faculty and customised to the local context without having to charge international prices.’ A core part of the Executive Development Programme is the Strategy module, which is also offered as astandalone short course. Led by Henley global faculty member Dr Narendra Laljani, this three-day module immerses senior professionals in strengthening their ability to ideate, execute, and adapt strategically in a competitive environment. A virtual follow-up session also means that students are guided in applying strategic tools directly within their own organisations.
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