Right now feels like the most exciting time to be a creative leader. However, running creative-led organisations requires a new set of skills in today's world. So, to learn from the best I completed a Bauhaus MBA with Future London Academy. 

The Executive Programme was tailored for Creatives with 15+ years of experience who want to acquire business and strategic knowledge to be better leaders. Apart from business modules like operational management, organisational design and scaling, we included modules on new technologies, latest design approaches, innovation management and Empathy to help you lead and grow new types of businesses.

Leading a Creative or Design-Led Company.

Process and Operations Management. 

Organisational Design. 

Purpose, Motivation and Focus including Self-Awareness. 

Valuation, Finance and Logistics.

Module 2 

Growing a Product or Service.

Systems and Technologies.

Leadership in a Technology Driven World.

Product Management Approaches.

UX Strategy.

Emotional Design.

Product vs Agency Models.

Empathy and EQ explored.

Communication and Team Dynamics.

Understanding your Leadership style.

Managing People and Teams.

Deep dive into Diversity & Inclusion.

Conflict resolution.

Networks and Distributed teams.

Innovation Management.

This module was all about building better companies. Learning from leaders at companies JKR, Bloom & Wild, and Wise – from business strategy to financial control, Operations – including logistics and ethical supply chains, as well as Risk Management, Legal, Sales and HR.

As you know, each module also focuses on various Leadership and Human Psychology aspects and during this one you will learn how to go from vision to strategy, find your leadership style and deal with change.

By the end of this module you will be able to talk to CFOs and COOs in the same language, get a clear design strategy as well as become a better leader to your team.

The industry leaders who taught us; 

Jen Rolfe; Business Psychologist. 

Steve ‘Buzz’ Pearce stirred the conversation on “Business Leader vs Creative Leader” and how to create a vision for maximum adoption. The Skyscanner case study was outstanding and delivered great tools.

Julie Oey, deep-dived into Business planning and benchmarking. This involved a great look at business goals, execution strategy, and external / market factors. And ultimate the power of budgets!

Divinia Knowles, ex-Mind Candy discussed different leadership styles with the cohort. We analysed our default styles and drilled into awareness of our gaps. We looked at what our teams need in terms of leadership and the power of authenticity.

An Acting masterclass from Natalie Anson-Wright gave us a fascinating way of looking at power dynamics and how we truly connect with one another!

David Pratt, Wise. David's manner really made business controls and risk accessible. The understanding of finances and scarce resources have given me a much greater understanding of business. 

Paul Albert truly changed my opinion for sales and taught me the power of go-to-market strategies. Paul shared some brilliant models; ‘SPICE’.

Jamie Thomas, The Purpose Index. Showcased governance is everywhere all the time - and TRUST is the key to understanding. There are models to equate trust. The future of governance and trust is fascinating.

Ian Ritchie of JKR explored the evolution of the design landscape, sharing truths, observations, and powerful learnings.

Tony Browne generously shared his knowledge “designing the way we work, is as important as the work we design.” A simple construct of purpose, people, process, and platform that entails complex interactions. A session I was enthralled by.

An incredible week surrounded by my amazing Cohort, supported by Ekaterina Solomeina & Mohammed Saiful Hussain.

I have to say a huge thank you to my team at No2ndPlace & Octagon for giving me the space to study. It's been a wonderful journey so far, one that I can’t wait to share with you. 

#DesignLeaders2022 #Bauhaus #MBA #CreativeLeader #FemaleLeadership