Senior professionals constantly look to develop their leadership skills so they can make a difference to their organization. Find out how an EMBA can develop your capacity to become a great leader
Before his Executive MBA (EMBA), Jesper Faurby (pictured below) worked various managerial roles in the trade credit insurance organization, Atradius. Despite this, he was ready to take the next step in his career.
When several senior managers were resigning from their positions in the company, Jesper seized the moment; he enrolled in the Copenhagen Business School (CBS) EMBA to embark on his executive journey and develop his leadership skills.
“I wanted to have a place in Atradius’s succession plan,” he explains. “I’ve been in the industry for quite some time, and I saw the EMBA as an opportunity to broaden the scope of what I could do.”
Jesper was able to do just that. From January 2022 he’ll be managing the Atradius entity in Denmark. He’ll be responsible for both the organization’s commercial and non-commercial functions.
Here are three key leadership skills he developed on the EMBA that you need to transform your career.
1. Don’t focus on the individual, engage in leadership
Magnus Larsson, a leadership professor at CBS, explains how we’ve increasingly romanticized leaders throughout the past few decades; leadership has now become an identity project that focuses on the self.
Yet for Magnus, this way of thinking is incorrect. To him, a good leader is someone who has the capacity to engage in leadership.
“When looking at a leader, most of it has nothing to do with leadership”, he says. “Leadership is a practice; it happens between people. We need to make the distinction between leaders and leadership.”
In the first two semesters of the CBS EMBA, leadership modules begin to build students’ executive capabilities and leadership skills.
The first module focuses on contemporary leadership theories and practices that develop your understanding of your own position within a company, as well as how to manage your HR resources more effectively. Module two provides time for executive students to reflect on their own personal leadership challenges.
“Leadership was the one course that really stood out to me,” Jesper recounts. “It had the biggest impact on my position at Atradius and was a huge help to me when stepping up to a management position and understanding myself in the context of leadership.”
2. Adapt to challenging situations
It’s now become evident that the greatest of leaders are the ones who can manage crisis situations by adapting effectively to new environments.
“We utilize theory as a resource to challenge our everyday understanding,” says Magnus (pictured above). “We need theories that have the capacity to challenge, not confirm, our everyday beliefs and consequently produce more complexity.”
During leadership sessions, Jesper regularly debated leadership theory with other classmates. Magnus also often set up forums where students discussed their leadership problems with their peers.
Jesper learned to adapt, not only through this leadership training, but also when diving into different disciplines across his EMBA. These disciplines included financial statement analysis, corporate finance, and marketing.
“As my career has been very commercially and market-driven, there were a lot of disciplines where I lacked deep insight,” he says. “The EMBA gave me the opportunity to lead different functions moving forward, in a more enlightened context.”
Jesper continued to broaden his knowledge and adapt to new environments through the EMBA’s field trips. He traveled to cities like Shanghai, where he was able to visit businesses and gain new, non-Western perspectives.
During the EMBA, he went through two promotion levels and began to manage an extra team. He was also able to apply what he learned from his EMBA directly to his work.
“The change in management positions pushed me to constantly reprogram myself to a new role, a new situation, and a new perspective,” he says.
3. Mobilize others to solve issues
In times of crisis, the first thing CBS teaches its students is not to act. Their task is not to solve a problem, says Magnus, but to mobilize others to resolve the issue at large.
“A crisis calls for decisive action,” he says. “A lot of decisive action is a response to anxiety—you need to observe yourself, listen to others, and have the emotional literacy to engage in collaboration.”
Magnus encourages students to mobilize others to engage with the problem at hand, rather than immediately attempt to remove the uncertainty. This lesson has proved invaluable to Jesper, who has used his leadership training to mobilize others in his team.
“Today, I’m leading the whole account management team and our customer service team,” he says. “I’ve also been very involved in an innovation project, which was developed during the EMBA and is going to spread throughout our company.”
The innovation project is called Atradius Flow, where customers will be able to automate their transactions with credit insurance. As the project took place alongside his EMBA, Jesper was able to work with his team during the development process.
Ultimately, the leadership skills he developed meant Jesper was able to support his company and land a senior role at Atradius. Although he admits it took hard work, he recommends the program to those ambitious enough to put in the hours.
“For me, the EMBA was crucial to take that next step to a leadership position,” he concludes. “Before, I didn’t have executive leadership experience. The program helped me utilize new knowledge to develop my organization in its future endeavors.”
CBS has always been ranked among the best universities in Europe and this means that it has become a sign of professionalism and success.
The academic level is great thanks to the good teachers and the atmosphere is proactive and challenging. Lots of events are planned every week and this helps you to find your own way.
CBS is not only a business school, it is a great and efficient international network.
Stella
Verified
24/04/2019
Good academic career
I did my Bachelors at CBS and their academic excellence and career opportunities led me to pursue my Masters in Accounting, Strategy and Control. I was very lucky to go on an exchange in Singapore for one semester it boosted me to get a career in a global firm. I like that it is super modern and has all the facilities for the business student in 2019. Especially, I liked the library and Bitlab where I spent most of my time studying. However, note that it is very demanding and studying here is no joke. Everything is very competitive and you are among the most excellent business students in the country. The interaction with international students helped me to see different perspectives in business and culturally and I was lucky to make friends from any part of the world. CBS is like a brand in Denmark. Every serious business company prioritizes us over any other Danish university and also it is free for European citizens. Overall, I have a very satisfying experience at CBS and I'm looking to continue my academical career even further.
Student
Verified
13/04/2019
CBS is one of the best!
All I have to say regarding my experience at CBS is that it is AMAZING. Having been tutored by world-class academic staff, I can definitely support that I am receiving the best of quality regarding my studies in Digital Marketing. Staff is very friendly and easy to approach. In addition, the facilities we enjoy are top class and meet any demands. Keep in mind that, EU citizens do not pay any fees. Student life might be non-existent here, but the location of the University in The very center of Copenhagen has a huge variety of choices to offer to students regarding their entertainment. Accommodation might be a problem, but early research of the market can be very useful. In addition, the University promotes diversity. In CBS University you can meet people from the whole world which is quite interesting. I definitely suggest CBS for any student who he's interested in pursuing a career in marketing or business.
Stefani
Verified
12/04/2019
The ideal business school
I have been enrolled in this university for 2 semesters. What I took from this experience is that there is nothing better out there for those looking for professional growth while being guided by some of the top-notch professors in Scandinavia. They have a really strong focus in technology and digital transformation and they are up to date to guarantee you land a job in the modern fast-evolving world. They also embrace diversity which means many students come from any part of the world and it takes the entire learning experience to another level. You simply learn from every other student cause everyone has different experiences and background which makes you open your mind and see the world from a different angle. In Denmark, even businesses prioritize people who graduate from CBS as it's commonly perceived as the most prestigious university for business graduates.
José Pedro
Verified
22/09/2019
A Place of Personal Growth
In CBS you can expect an environment of proactive thinking and growth.
The university staff is always open to help and to debate. The teaching methods balance theoretical knowledge and practical skills enabling the student with capacity and confidence to enter the job market successfully. The existence of students from all over the world stimulates discussion and promotion of different cultures, ideas and perspectives. I highly recommend this university for students in business-related areas.
Cathy
Verified
5/02/2019
Environment
The environment here is really great. Despite the well organized buildings and libraries, there are also places for students to just stay and relax also even study in the corners of each campus. The professors are mostly really nice and try to interact with students a lot. So, to sum up, the environment is really nice for studying here.
Philip
Verified
15/04/2018
Quality education
Quality education where it emphazises the importance of academic. No finger to put on this aspect of the school.
However, sometimes the administration and IT can be lacking a bit, but in general a really good choice for education!
Student
Verified
27/09/2017
Best Time!
Classes are challenging and conducted in a professional manner. CBS offers a wide range of possibilities to develop outside of the classes! Libraries and other facilities on the campus are very well adjusted to the student needs.
Student
Verified
22/09/2017
A heavily theory-based curriculum combined with an ever-stimulating environment
I am currently a Master student at CBS, but I have also completed a Bachelor's Degree in this university. I am quite satisfied with my studies and the teaching level. However, when compared to other business schools, it becomes apparent that most courses at CBS strive to find a good balance between theoretical insight and real-life examples. Compared to my exchange university, the projects that I have found myself writing at CBS have a far less practical application and also leave little room for creativity. If the teaching is heavily theoretical, on the bright side, the university arranges a number of events throughout the year to encourage students to apply their knowledge, in the form of career fairs, case competitions, and other events organized by student associations. In my experience, teachers are very easily approachable and happy to answer your questions. A foreign student like me will find a more international environment at Master level, since the number of international (or at least non-Scandinavian) students enrolled in the Bachelor programs is quite low. However, all communication (both oral and written) from teachers and the university offices is always in English. Administrative offices, student guidance services, the career center, and the international office are definitely worth a mention. All of the requests that I have had throughout the years have always been met with kindness, promptness and efficiency.
Student
Verified
29/09/2019
CBS: efficient international network
CBS has always been ranked among the best universities in Europe and this means that it has become a sign of professionalism and success.
The academic level is great thanks to the good teachers and the atmosphere is proactive and challenging. Lots of events are planned every week and this helps you to find your own way.
CBS is not only a business school, it is a great and efficient international network.
Stella
Verified
24/04/2019
Good academic career
I did my Bachelors at CBS and their academic excellence and career opportunities led me to pursue my Masters in Accounting, Strategy and Control. I was very lucky to go on an exchange in Singapore for one semester it boosted me to get a career in a global firm. I like that it is super modern and has all the facilities for the business student in 2019. Especially, I liked the library and Bitlab where I spent most of my time studying. However, note that it is very demanding and studying here is no joke. Everything is very competitive and you are among the most excellent business students in the country. The interaction with international students helped me to see different perspectives in business and culturally and I was lucky to make friends from any part of the world. CBS is like a brand in Denmark. Every serious business company prioritizes us over any other Danish university and also it is free for European citizens. Overall, I have a very satisfying experience at CBS and I'm looking to continue my academical career even further.
Student
Verified
13/04/2019
CBS is one of the best!
All I have to say regarding my experience at CBS is that it is AMAZING. Having been tutored by world-class academic staff, I can definitely support that I am receiving the best of quality regarding my studies in Digital Marketing. Staff is very friendly and easy to approach. In addition, the facilities we enjoy are top class and meet any demands. Keep in mind that, EU citizens do not pay any fees. Student life might be non-existent here, but the location of the University in The very center of Copenhagen has a huge variety of choices to offer to students regarding their entertainment. Accommodation might be a problem, but early research of the market can be very useful. In addition, the University promotes diversity. In CBS University you can meet people from the whole world which is quite interesting. I definitely suggest CBS for any student who he's interested in pursuing a career in marketing or business.
Stefani
Verified
12/04/2019
The ideal business school
I have been enrolled in this university for 2 semesters. What I took from this experience is that there is nothing better out there for those looking for professional growth while being guided by some of the top-notch professors in Scandinavia. They have a really strong focus in technology and digital transformation and they are up to date to guarantee you land a job in the modern fast-evolving world. They also embrace diversity which means many students come from any part of the world and it takes the entire learning experience to another level. You simply learn from every other student cause everyone has different experiences and background which makes you open your mind and see the world from a different angle. In Denmark, even businesses prioritize people who graduate from CBS as it's commonly perceived as the most prestigious university for business graduates.
José Pedro
Verified
22/09/2019
A Place of Personal Growth
In CBS you can expect an environment of proactive thinking and growth.
The university staff is always open to help and to debate. The teaching methods balance theoretical knowledge and practical skills enabling the student with capacity and confidence to enter the job market successfully. The existence of students from all over the world stimulates discussion and promotion of different cultures, ideas and perspectives. I highly recommend this university for students in business-related areas.
Cathy
Verified
5/02/2019
Environment
The environment here is really great. Despite the well organized buildings and libraries, there are also places for students to just stay and relax also even study in the corners of each campus. The professors are mostly really nice and try to interact with students a lot. So, to sum up, the environment is really nice for studying here.
Philip
Verified
15/04/2018
Quality education
Quality education where it emphazises the importance of academic. No finger to put on this aspect of the school.
However, sometimes the administration and IT can be lacking a bit, but in general a really good choice for education!
Student
Verified
27/09/2017
Best Time!
Classes are challenging and conducted in a professional manner. CBS offers a wide range of possibilities to develop outside of the classes! Libraries and other facilities on the campus are very well adjusted to the student needs.
Student
Verified
22/09/2017
A heavily theory-based curriculum combined with an ever-stimulating environment
I am currently a Master student at CBS, but I have also completed a Bachelor's Degree in this university. I am quite satisfied with my studies and the teaching level. However, when compared to other business schools, it becomes apparent that most courses at CBS strive to find a good balance between theoretical insight and real-life examples. Compared to my exchange university, the projects that I have found myself writing at CBS have a far less practical application and also leave little room for creativity. If the teaching is heavily theoretical, on the bright side, the university arranges a number of events throughout the year to encourage students to apply their knowledge, in the form of career fairs, case competitions, and other events organized by student associations. In my experience, teachers are very easily approachable and happy to answer your questions. A foreign student like me will find a more international environment at Master level, since the number of international (or at least non-Scandinavian) students enrolled in the Bachelor programs is quite low. However, all communication (both oral and written) from teachers and the university offices is always in English. Administrative offices, student guidance services, the career center, and the international office are definitely worth a mention. All of the requests that I have had throughout the years have always been met with kindness, promptness and efficiency.
