Reading, UK – A delegation focused on bolstering international educational partnerships concluded a visit to Henley Business School, University of Reading, this week, signaling a renewed commitment to collaborative learning and leadership development. The visit, part of a broader UK tour, aimed to explore synergies between institutions and enhance training methodologies.
The discussions centered on leveraging structured learning programs, like the MBA, to cultivate more effective leaders – a need increasingly recognized across industries.as one recent MBA graduate from Strathclyde Business School noted, the value isn’t simply in “a nice piece of paper,” but in “the knowledge to help us be better.” This sentiment underscores a growing perspective that advanced degrees should equip professionals to ask better questions, understand complex systems, and lead with greater clarity, informed by diverse perspectives.
The delegation explored how HenleyS approach to integrating real-world experience with academic rigor mirrors the benefits experienced by leaders who pursue further education.The Strathclyde graduate highlighted that while already leading teams and making decisions before undertaking their MBA, the program facilitated a deeper understanding of the ”bigger picture” and enabled them to “join dots I hadn’t even noticed before.”
this emphasis on holistic development – fostering empathetic, inclusive leadership and encouraging leaders to empower their teams - resonated throughout the discussions. The graduate emphasized a leadership style focused on “we” rather than “I,” and knowing when to defer to expertise within the team. The core takeaway was that structured learning, when combined with practical application, doesn’t provide all the answers, but rather equips individuals to find better ones, collaboratively.
The visit concluded with a call for continued dialogue and the exploration of joint initiatives to advance leadership training and knowledge sharing between institutions.
