In The Classroom: Berkeley’s Executive Leadership Program

Sidhu’s session is understandably one of the most popular sessions in the five-day program. Says one participant, “Inder’s talk has been the highlight of the week for me so far. Very relevant and very inspirational.” The second half of Day 4 and the last day is about cascading the vision and strategy down the ranks. There is an added layer of behavioural training based on a video-taped session which most participants find uncomfortable.

Talking of the objectives of the BEXL, Chatman says, “The biggest message here is to help leaders at this level understand that their real added value is at the vision and strategy level, and not the formulation piece but the actual execution piece. Since it is not optimal for them to do that work themselves, we help them figure out how to inspire the organization to accomplish their strategic objectives and their visionary aspirations, and help them clarify the vision and strategy so that they are really replicating themselves throughout the organization.”

WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN’T

Organizational Canvas: The BEXL imparts a way of thinking which many find useful. “The work we did around the organizational canvas ensures that you are more likely to take back something about you rather than just concepts and theories,” says participant Heather McKay, Vice-President (HR), ACL Services.

The Group: The BEXL attracts people from diverse industries giving participants the opportunity to learn from each other. Participant Daniel Rex, CEO, Toastmasters International, says, “When the seemingly disparate information flows, knowledge and methodologies clash and bump into each other, the result is often better than either of them has.” However, in terms of nationalities, there was little diversity this year as most of the participants came from the US (though some of them were born elsewhere).

Peer Coaching: Participants were carefully matched with each other based on their backgrounds and the kind of industries they came from. Says one participant who comes from a non-profit organization, “It wouldn’t have worked for me to talk to somebody from a venture capital firm. Fortunately, there was somebody from a similar enough organization that we understood each other’s challenges but they are dissimilar enough in mission and in products that we were able to take an outsider’s view and help each other.”

Professional coaching: Mixed response. While some found this useful, others didn’t. Says one, “While the peer coaching helped us synthesize ideas and thoughts, the professional coaching wasn’t very impactful.”

THE BASICS:

Berkeley Executive Leadership Program (BEXL)

Faculty director: Jennifer Chatman, the Paul J. Cortese Distinguished Management at Haas School of Business

Program dates: 2-6 April 2012, 1-5 October 2012

Cost: $8,995 (if you register by 15 May 2012 for the October program. The fee will be $9,900 after that.)

Location: Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, California

DON’T MISS: IN THE CLASSROOM: LEADING CHANGE & ORGANIZATIONAL RENEWAL

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