Saudi executive sees benefits from Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme

It is imperative to be prepared with the necessary strategic thinking, leadership skills and motivation to deal with global challenges' says Hamad Balhareth, Senior Project Manager of Saudi Aramco.

'In joining the Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme I wanted to develop these skills and to engage in intellectual discussions with participants from various cultures and backgrounds. I tasted a quintessential part of Oxford culture - the ability to engage in dialogue in a peaceful and non-threatening environment, to listen and learn from others openly and with respect, to say "We hear you: everyone is entitled to have an opinion, to put it forward and argue on its behalf"'.

he added.

Since its inception in 1983, the Oxford Advanced Management Programme has attracted more than 1100 senior executives from over 80 countries worldwide, with around 18 from the Gulf. Board members, executives from private and public enterprises, government agencies, social organisations and business owners have been among those to have undertaken the prestigious programme. The Programme has now been entirely redesigned and renamed The Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme.

Dr Lalit Johri, Director of the Programme, said: 'This is one of our flagship programmes and has established a reputation for excellence, impact and relevance since it was established. The Programme attracts a very international and diverse range of participants, and senior executives from the Gulf have always played an important part in it.'

Hamad Balhareth found the Programme exceeded his expectations. 'The lectures, the faculty - and, yes, the other participants - opened up international perspectives I'd never dreamed of. I discovered how narrow was my awareness of certain global issues - of the impact of new technologies, the accelerating trend of globalisation and the effects of demographic developments, aging and migration on societies.

'As soon as I stepped into the October/November 2008 class I noticed a group of participants from Africa who intrigued me. It was fascinating. I learned a lot - about their struggles and enormous challenges, the differences between us and the things we had in common, and the perceptions and gaps in knowledge we had of one another. I ended up inviting them to visit me if they ever come to our part of the world.'

The Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme is an intensive three week programme which progressively examines the context, the organisation and the individual. These topics are explored through discussions, debates, role-plays, simulations, live case-studies, classroom sessions, guest speaker talks, company visits, individual tutored sessions and a range of other distinctive approaches to learning, such as 'Concept Café' sessions which encourage participants to examine their 'leadership journey so far' - their role models, inspirations, and how they see their role in society. Participants work with a personal tutor in one-to-one sessions throughout the programme to assist the learning process and to support personal and career development.

'Executives are bringing an ever wider and more urgent range of issues to the Programme and are looking for powerful answers' says Dr Lalit Johri.'More than ever, the Programme will focus on leadership issues and be customised to focus on context- and issue- specific concerns of immediate relevance to the individual participants within their organisation. We will explore their global challenges, their organisational challenges, their personal leadership journeys.'

'I said the Oxford Programme greatly exceeded my expectations. Our discussions and the insights I gained, could not have been more timely in the face of the economic crisis and the US elections. Debate was important but so was the pause for reflection. You find yourself wondering as you wander in the quiet green of the gardens here: "What does this really mean and how will it affect me." I would encourage all leaders to take the time to reflect on their own leadership abilities and the issues facing their organisations. The Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme is a powerful mechanism to do that,' says Mr Balhareth.

The next Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme runs 14 June-4 July 2009.