Exploring personal leadership and self-awareness in a multicultural setting
From 6 – 10 October 2025, MSM welcomed 23 professionals from 12 different countries for its Short Executive Programme on Personal Leadership Skills, led by Professor Dr. Geert Heling. The five-day programme provided the participants with the tools and insights to strengthen their leadership capabilities through self-reflection, interaction and practical application.
At the heart of the programme lies a simple yet powerful idea: to lead others effectively, you must first learn to lead yourself. Leadership is not merely a theoretical concept – it is about who you are and what you do. The course explores how leaders can deal effectively with vision, power and influence in complex organisational contexts.
Through a combination of theory, case discussions and interactive exercises, participants are invited to discover and practise their own leadership styles. Each module provides opportunities for self-reflection, feedback and personal development. The flexible setup allows participants to link theoretical insights directly to their own day-to-day work and experiences, making the learning both relevant and immediately applicable.
For Nablies Hailemariam from Egypt, the decision to apply was rooted in the belief that effective leadership begins with self-awareness: “I decided to apply for the Personal Leadership course because I believe that strong leadership begins with self-awareness and continuous growth. In today’s dynamic professional landscape, effective leadership requires not only technical expertise but also the ability to inspire, influence, and navigate complex challenges with clarity and integrity.”
Mr Daniel French (United Kingdom) applied for the programme as he had recently stepped into a leadership role:”I applied for this programme because I recently stepped into a leadership role and wanted to develop my skills, especially in a virtual and multicultural context. I saw it as a valuable opportunity to grow both professionally and personally, and to gain practical tools for leading with confidence and empathy.”
Mrs Eleni Petraki (Greece) has been working as a remote software developer in a small team within a large company for 10 years. While she has learned to manage herself effectively and work independently, she was looking for opportunities to move towards a more leadership-oriented role: “Because of my team’s structure and the nature of remote work, I haven’t yet had the chance to lead a larger group or a major project. That’s why I sought out an alternative way to learn about leadership. I wanted to explore different leadership styles and skills, meet people who already operate in such roles, exchange ideas, and gain some personal insight. The fact that this course was held on site was especially valuable, as I believe that human interaction is essential for a topic like this.”
The programme brought together participants from across the world, providing them with a wealth of new insights which was highly appreciated. Mr Daniel French reflected: “Being part of a multicultural group was one of the highlights of the programme. It was enriching to hear different viewpoints and learn how cultural backgrounds influence leadership styles and team dynamics. It helped me reflect on how I can adapt my approach to better support my own culturally diverse team.”
For Mr Hailemariam, the multicultural environment was one of the most enriching aspects of the course: “Hearing participants share their diverse experiences and perspectives allowed me to gain a broader understanding of how leadership principles apply across different cultural contexts. This exchange not only deepened my appreciation for cultural differences but also enhanced my ability to lead inclusively and adapt strategies to varied environments. The diverse insights shared during the course enriched the learning experience, making it more dynamic and relevant to today’s globalised professional landscape.”
Also Mrs. Petraki highly valued the multicultural setting: “My expectations were fully met and even exceeded. The group was wonderfully diverse, with participants from various countries, cultures, roles, and backgrounds. The atmosphere was relaxed from the start, communication flowed naturally, and the group activities were both engaging and insightful.”
About the Personal Leadership Skills programme
To effectively manage, develop and lead others, you must first be able to manage, develop and lead yourself. Leading yourself means knowing who you are and understanding how you act in different interactions and situations. Developing your personal leadership style and values is a central theme throughout this programme. It offers a combination of theoretical concepts and practical exercises, adapted to the needs and input of the participants. Professor Dr. Geert Heling designed this programme for (potential) team leaders who want to enhance their personal leadership and management style, enabling them to deal effectively with vision, power and influence.
The way Professor Heling delivered the programme was highly appreciated by the participants. As Mrs Hailemariam said: “It was truly insightful and highly engaging experience. Practical examples shared by the trainer made the content engaging and highly relevant to both our personal and professional environments, offering tools that are valuable in a variety of situations."
Mrs. Petraki added: “Professor Heling was knowledgeable, approachable, and well-prepared, creating a space that encouraged open discussion and reflection. I particularly enjoyed the small group assignments and the opportunity to interact with the other participants.”
Mr French fully agreed: “I found the programme engaging and insightful. The sessions were well-structured, with a good balance between theory and practical application. I appreciated the interactive elements, which encouraged reflection and sharing of experiences. It gave me new perspectives on leadership and helped me better understand my own style and areas for growth. I found Professor Geert’s training style very effective and enjoyable. He made complex topics easy to understand.”
Do you want to join the Personal Leadership Skills programme?
The next Personal Leadership Skills programme will run from 02 – 06 February 2026. Click here for more information about the programme and how to apply.
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
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