Inclusive Leadership

Modern leadership goes beyond delivering business results — it is about responsible workplaces where everyone feels they belong, can be authentic, and contribute their full potential. Inclusive leaders understand the importance of nurturing such environments – for themselves and others.

To lead inclusively starts with knowing oneself. The more nuanced we understand and have compassion with ourselves, the more we are able to see, value and invite the unique traits and viewpoints of others. Inclusive leaders also bring specific skills to unleash the potential of their team members and colleagues. These leaders, like conductors, know how critical their visible leadership is and orchestrate their teams’ efforts effectively to achieve harmony together.

Inclusive leaders continuously strive to be their best selves and to ensure that everyone is seen, heard, and valued. Given today’s leadership complexities and business demands, they might, however, not find themselves having the impact they hope for, or struggle to be confident and consistent in pursuing their vision. Are you one of them? If so, ESMT Berlin’s Inclusive Leadership program could be the perfect fit for you.

Key facts

Your profile

You are a people or program leader with at least 5 years of direct leadership experience, with the reach and eagerness to have a significant impact across your organization.
Ideally, you should have first-hand experience dealing with diversity or inclusivity challenges or be part of a transformation effort in this area.
You are committed to embracing your role as a change agent, striving to make the workplace more inclusive and better for everyone.
Suitable for former ESMT students in our degree programs, postgraduate diploma candidates, or participants from our customized executive education programs.

Benefits

Gain deeper insights into yourself, your leadership potential and impact
Enhance your understanding and exchange perspectives on societal and organizational dynamics that shape issues, challenges, and opportunities in the area of DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) with an appreciation for both local and global contexts.
Develop clarity on what it takes to lead inclusively in your specific context, identifying the necessary skills and mindset shifts needed to realize these aspirations.
Increase your confidence in pursuing your inclusive leadership vision and driving the change you want to see in your environment.

Topics

Diversity: Dimensions of diversity and their influence on interactions and the ability to tap into people’s potential.
Equity: Historical and systemic power dynamics and strategies that drive barriers, privileges and opportunities in today’s business world and society.
Inclusion: Verbal and non-verbal actions to connect, engage and empower – self and others.
Belonging: Organizational and psychological drivers of creating a sense of belonging.

Why ESMT?

Top business school in Germany and ranked among the best in the world by the Financial Times.
Located in Berlin, a diverse and dynamic hub for global business and culture.
World-class faculty and thought leadership with a focus on leading self and others in the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion discussions.
Access to a global network of executives, change-makers, and thought leaders.

4 days

€4,800

Apply now

♡

May 20-23, 2025

Format

Face-to-face

Price

€4,800

Location

Berlin

Duration

4 days

Language

English

Apply now

Day 1

Discovering self

Your journey begins with a focus on understanding yourself as a leader. The day opens with an introduction to diversity profiles and positionality, helping you recognize the unique perspectives each participant brings. Through small group discussions, you'll explore your own positionality and the impact it has on your leadership approach.

You'll then undergo an interactive workshop that dives deeper into these reflections. The day wraps up with an inspiring keynote on reinventing yourself and driving complex, sustainable change.

Day 2

Connecting with others

On the second day, the focus shifts to understanding the broader context of DEIB. You’ll engage with real-world mini-cases and scenarios that highlight challenges and opportunities in diversity and inclusion. Our faculty will guide you through key academic concepts, enriched by global examples, such as high-profile DEI initiatives and events.

The afternoon brings a case study on adaptive leadership and a deep dive into your own inclusive leadership vision. You will end your day with an optional city tour, offering insights into Berlin’s diverse communities, from queer to migrant perspectives.

Day 3

Exploring opportunities for change

Day three is all about practical application. You’ll delve into concepts like discrimination, privilege, and allyship, and apply them to real-world situations. Through case discussions, you'll identify actionable steps for fostering inclusion in your organization. The day includes sessions on leading effectively in tense or non-compassionate environments.

By the end of the day, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the psychological and organizational challenges that come with ensuring a sense of belonging and wrap up with reflection and networking.

Day 4

Day 1 of being the empowered and empowering leader you want to be

The final half-day is dedicated to setting your course as an inclusive leader. You'll practice building credibility within your teams and receive peer feedback on how you’ve shown up as a leader throughout the program. Individual action planning helps you create a concrete path forward, ensuring that the insights and skills you've developed will have a lasting impact on your leadership and organization.

The program concludes with a reflective session, giving you the space to consolidate your learning and commit to your leadership vision.