An Introduction to LeadershipPlus

What makes LeadershipPlus different to other modules? Here Careers Manager, Nuo Xu, and Course Director, Dawn Eubanks, provide comprehensive insights into our pioneering module, covering all the essential information you need to know

What is LeadershipPlus?

Nuo: LeadershipPlus stands as a ground-breaking and innovative module within the Warwick Business School Full-time MBA programme. LeadershipPlus diverges from conventional teaching methodologies by emphasising experiential learning, reflective practice, theoretical understanding, and experimentation. This approach enables our students to explore and define their own leadership identity, understanding deeply what they stand for as leaders.

LeadershipPlus is more than just self-discovery and theoretical learning. We are deeply committed to ensuring that our students' learning translates into real-world practice and tangible behavioural change. To achieve this, we leverage technology as a nudge tool and partner with companies for continuous improvement and practical application.

How does LeadershipPlus link in with the rest of the Full-time MBA?

Dawn: Because LeadershipPlus takes place over a longer period of time compared to other modules, there is more time allowed for reflection and connections with many topics learned in other modules, allowing for a unique synergy. The module is organised to flow from introspection about oneself, to consider leadership stereotypes, to team leadership and dialogue, to being a responsible leader, and concludes with bringing about change.

Nuo: By focusing on experiential learning and self-reflection, LeadershipPlus allows our students to apply the theories and concepts learned in the MBA to real-life leadership scenarios.

LeadershipPlus enriches the MBA journey by providing a continuous thread of personal development throughout the programme. The skills and insights gained in this module are applied in team projects, presentations, and other interactive components of the MBA, ensuring that students not only understand leadership in theory, but also practice it in various contexts.

Tell us about the structure of the LeadershipPlus module

Dawn: LeadershipPlus is structured into five intensive two-day sessions spread over two terms, each focusing on a critical aspect of leadership and management.

Myself as a Leader
The aims of the opening workshop are to build the syndicates as teams and to lay the foundation for your development by reflecting on what you personally bring to the leadership role.

The Image of a Leader
The aim of this workshop is to think about how your strengths overlap with stereotypes associated with the leadership role.

Effective Collaborations Through Conversations
This workshop builds on workshop 2 that explored the overlap or disconnect between personal leadership strengths and the leadership role. Through that lens we will focus on teams.

Responsible Leadership
The aims of this workshop are to focus on an ethics-based case study considering the importance of context. Another feature of the workshop will be to explore the role of emotions and dealing with pressure as term 2 begins and to build and familiarise the new syndicate groups.

Leading Organisational Change
The aim of this workshop is to take an organisational view of leadership exploring the importance of influence in high stakes contexts. 

Nuo: Between sessions, LeadershipPlus employs innovative phone-based technology to 'nudge' students, encouraging them to apply their learnings in their daily lives and studies. This approach is aimed at facilitating actual behavioural change, a core objective of the module.

The module is intricately connected with the real business world. We have forged collaborations with both global brands and SMEs. As part of the module assignment, these partnerships provide our students with invaluable opportunities to engage in real-world business challenges. Over six weeks, students work in teams to apply their accumulated knowledge and skills to make a tangible impact, blending academic learning with practical application.

Who delivers LeadershipPlus? What benefit does this have?

Nuo: A significant aspect of LeadershipPlus is the synergistic collaboration between world-class academics, a dedicated careers team, and performance psychologists from Mindflick, known for their work with Olympic champions and FTSE 100 leaders. The delivery of LeadershipPlus is a dynamic mix of lecture-based teaching, hands-on experiential activities, and focused small-group discussions, all facilitated by qualified coaches. This multifaceted approach ensures a deep and practical understanding of leadership, moving beyond theoretical knowledge to real-world application.

A key strength of LeadershipPlus lies in its foundation of solid academic theory, enriched with contemporary leadership insights relevant to today’s job market and the integration of advanced behavioural science. Through this comprehensive approach, students gain a profound understanding of their personal attributes – strengths, weaknesses, and core values. This self-awareness is critical in shaping effective management and leadership styles in professional environments.

What’s your advice to anyone who is considering whether the Full-time MBA is right for them?

Nuo: If you're feeling uncertain or stuck, seeking personal growth, or eager to understand yourself better and collaborate more effectively with others, then LeadershipPlus is here for you. It offers an array of environments, scenarios, and tools that enable you to work alongside and engage with people from diverse corners of the globe. In these shared spaces, both challenging and enjoyable, you'll find opportunities to develop new insights and strategies. These experiences will equip you for the fresh tasks and adventures that await in the next chapter of your life.

Dawn: LeadershipPlus is a module that past students have described as a transformative experience. In the module we will hold up a mirror for you to look at yourself and the type of leader you might be. Through this self-reflection, we will guide you towards growth as a changemaker. We carefully craft a spirit of openness in the module which allows for past perspectives to be challenged. You will work in teams with classmates from around the world who will provide insights you may have not previously considered.