Developing self-awareness and leadership skills in an international classroom
From 8 – 12 June 2026, professionals from different countries and professional backgrounds came together at MSM for the Short Executive Programme on Personal Leadership Skills. During this five-day programme, participants explored how greater self-awareness can strengthen their ability to lead others, navigate complexity and create more effective collaboration in today's dynamic organisations.
Rather than focusing solely on leadership theories, the programme encourages participants to reflect on their own behaviour, values and leadership style. Through a combination of interactive discussions, practical exercises and personal reflection, participants gained new insights into how they respond to challenges, communicate with others and influence those around them.
For Mr. Anveer Mehta from India, the programme offered exactly the practical development he was looking for. "was searching for a short course to improve my skills in specific areas that would be useful at my job. This course explained the tools I needed when I was trying to find something like that."
Throughout the week, participants explored topics such as leadership under pressure, managing organisational change, personality and conflict styles, organisational transformation and motivational leadership. The programme challenged participants to better understand both their strengths and their blind spots, while providing practical tools to apply these insights in their own professional environment.
Reflecting on the overall experience, Anveer explained:"I have learned a lot about myself through the programme, especially regarding my personality and how I lead. This has given me a new way of thinking about how to handle situations at work."
As with all MSM short executive programmes, the international classroom played an important role in the learning experience. Bringing together professionals with different cultural and professional perspectives created valuable discussions and allowed participants to learn from one another's experiences.
As Anveer described:"Being part of an international class with so many different cultures is such an enriching experience. Everyone has their own unique way of approaching problems from their cultural background, and it’s really lovely to learn from each other."
About the Personal Leadership Skills programme
To effectively manage, develop and lead others, you must first be able to manage, develop and lead yourself. Developing your personal leadership style starts with understanding who you are, how you respond in different situations and how your values influence your decisions.
The programme combines academic insights with practical exercises, interactive discussions and personal reflection, enabling participants to immediately apply new insights within their own organisations. Throughout the week, participants explored topics such as leadership under pressure, organisational change, conflict styles, organisational transformation and motivational leadership, while strengthening their ability to deal effectively with complexity, uncertainty and change.
The programme was led by Dr. Philippe Leliaert, whose interactive approach encouraged participants to challenge their own assumptions, learn from one another's experiences and translate new perspectives into their everyday leadership practice.
Interested in joining?
The next edition of the Short Executive Programme on Personal Leadership Skills will take place from 23 – 27 November 2026 in Maastricht. Would you like to strengthen your leadership capabilities through greater self-awareness and practical application? More information about the programme and the application procedure can be found here.
About MSM’s Short Executive Programmes
Today’s rapidly changing societies and economies demand the most from organisations, leaders, managers and professionals. MSM’s Short Executive Programmes are developed to achieve a successful and sustainable transformation of both individuals and organisations, supporting local economic development and effective business management
