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"This program will definitely help me in my transition to general management. It gave me awareness of the complexity I will be facing but also of the set of skills I will need to be successful."
– Thomas Delignon, Retail Director Japan, Chaumet (LVMH Group)
General managers face broad responsibilities that challenge even the most talented and effective executives.
The General Manager Leadership Program: The Cross-Functional Leader focuses solely on developing the precise skills new general managers need to reach the highest levels of excellence in their new role.
During the program, you discuss the role of the General Manager with peers from across the world in various industries such as finance, manufacturing, and information technology. You learn how to maximize people and resources, develop a broader understanding of integration across functions, and make accurate projections to enhance your organization's effectiveness and profitability.
Most importantly, you actively practice the skills essential to effective leadership such as questioning, listening, integrating, and communicating, and receive feedback on how to make improvements. You have the opportunity to experiment with new approaches during interactive sessions and to discuss your own professional challenges with the class and faculty. You explore how GMs utilize their emotions in business decisions, manage communications, and shift their view of the organization from working in the trenches to an overall perspective.
For an inside look at the General Manager Leadership Program, download the program brochure and agenda.
The program will teach you to build cooperation among departments and provide the leadership, strategy, and decision-making skills that are essential to your success as a manager. Small-group work allows you to analyze your business challenges and benefit from the insight of professional coaches and peers from around the world.
Upon completion of this program, you will earn 13 days towards a Certificate with select alumni and tuition benefits. Learn more.
Week 1: Cross-Functional Leadership
Week 2: Maximizing Performance of Individuals and Departments
Program Focus
Cross-Functional Leadership: 50%
Strategy: 30%
Personal and Professional Development: 20%
For an inside look at the General Manager Leadership Program, download the program brochure and agenda.
The General Manager Leadership Program is designed for upper-level to senior-level executives with 10-15 years of experience who seek to advance their ability to lead across functions. This program caters to executives preparing for the role of general manager, those in the process of transitioning to this role, and general managers already serving in this function who seek to expand their skills. Participants come from all continents and represent industries including automotive, healthcare, media, and manufacturing. Their titles range from executive director to senior vice president of operations to deputy governor.
Ram Chari said reflecting on global cultural differences during the program was beneficial. The program reinforced the value of considering cultural differences before making decisions.
Andrew Esemezie said the program helped him think about leading from an organizational level rather than from a functional level.
Felix Aepli said the program allowed him to share and learn from others' experiences and cultures, which he says is extremely important for achieving higher goals.
Kate Cassino said the program has helped change her mindset to a more broad general management perspective that prepares her better for future leadership roles. She also said the interactions with peers from around the world offered new insights on perspectives, challenges and cultural differences.
"It was an excellent program. It created a great opportunity for participants to strengthen their global views and lead changes in an ever-changing environment. It definitely helped me to better exercise self-leadership, which is critical for effective leaders."
"This experience was a great opportunity to interact and collaborate with managers from a broad range of countries, functions, and industries. The collective wisdom of the group, sharing of best practices, and leadership challenges provided exposure to valuable new insights. In today's economy leaders are continually faced with new challenges, so it's critical to tap into the knowledge, abilities, and relationships of the team as a whole. I would recommend this program to other leaders who want to broaden their horizons."
William Klepper, Faculty Director
Professor of Management
Faculty Member, Executive Education
William Klepper has served as a consultant to numerous corporations including AT&T, Bausch & Lomb, Bell Canada, Chase Manhattan Bank, Deloitte Touche Tomatsu, DuPont, Ericsson, Finmecannica, General Electric, Hertz, Johnson & Johnson, Nabisco, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, SAP, Sony, and Sun Microsystems. He also has consulted for colleges and universities, school districts and government agencies and served as an advisor to the Wounded Warrior Project. He participates regularly in the New York Stock Exchange Chairman and CEO Forum or the Financial Times / Outstanding Directors Exchange.
Profoundly interested in executive learning, strategic leadership and corporate governance, Klepper is the creator of the Klepper Leadership Model, first published in Key Account Management and Planning (2002). It was then updated as the Integrated Leadership Model in his recent book, The CEO’s Boss: Tough Love in the Boardroom (2010).
Along with Professor Klepper, additional Columbia Business School faculty contribute to and teach in the program.