Economic unpredictability prompts managers to turn to leadership courses

The demand for leadership courses and development of managerial skills is on an upward trend, knowing a 20% advance, compared to last year, according to internal data of the training company EXEC-EDU, the leader of the executive education market.

The increase in interest in developing these skills is a global trend, due to the change in leadership models, a trend accelerated by the remote working method, but also by the challenges brought by economic unpredictability and the geopolitical context. In this completely different landscape, managers have become increasingly interested in their personal development.

“Although there has been talk for so long about the need to train leaders, the skills gap is widening. That is why we are increasingly seeing leaders take development into their own hands and choose to invest in reskilling themselves, taking into account the current economic context. It is an absolutely necessary investment to adapt to these changes, which require collaborative and agile leadership, focused on both technology and people’s well-being”, said Oana Scarlat, CEO EXEC-EDU.

Organizations believe, in proportion to 93%, that the development of new leadership skills is important or very important, but only 15% of them have invested in their training, considering it a priority on the top management agenda, according to a BCG study carried out in 2022 ( Boston Consulting Group).

From the EXEC-EDU analysis, it follows that more than 30% of managers and entrepreneurs are responsible for their own development and pay for their leadership courses from their own sources.

To meet these increasingly complex needs, EXEC-EDU is constantly working to update the courses it makes available to leaders. Thus, the company introduced in the most sought-after course in its portfolio, Leadership 360°, a module through which they can get to know their leadership style better through a unique experience, at the stables, guided by horses.

“Horse-guided education introduced with the help of HorseTouch’s partners is probably the most appropriate type of experiential learning for a leader. Learning is accelerated because we address all 3 planes – mental, but also emotions and action. In this way, the process of self-knowledge within the Leadership 360 course begins, a transformational program where each participant goes through with a coach and an individual development plan in parallel with the course sessions”, Oana Scarlat also declared.

The participants who choose to follow the leadership courses in the EXEC-EDU portfolio come from various industries such as manufacturing, IFN, insurance, pharma, retail, FMCG, hospitality, marketing, NGO.
Leadership 360° is the only complete and integrated program in Romania that develops at least 10 skills necessary for a successful leader. It is addressed to top or middle managers, team leaders, project coordinators, but also to entrepreneurs, freelancers – doctors, lawyers, accountants, employees with increased potential and anyone with a leadership role.

With a presence of over 15 years, EXEC-EDU is the leader of the executive education market – the top segment of the training market – with a team of over 40 trainers and experts and almost 20,000 learners. The EXEC-EDU portfolio currently includes approximately 70 programs, and the EXEC-EDU offer is structured on 4 main lines of activity: development programs for C-level, management programs, specialization courses in extremely current, niche professional fields and well-being workshops. The 4 directions include not only training programs, but also coaching, mentoring, consulting. EXEC-EDU obtained the Gold Award in the top of the best training companies in Romania, following a study carried out by Learning Network in 2019, in which more than 500 managers and human resources specialists participated.