Programme overview

 

Would you like to be promoted next year? Are you looking for a new challenge with more responsibility or a broader sphere of influence? Are you a female manager or specialist or have you been identified as a young talent?

The Aiming Higher Women’s Leadership Programme is the ideal continuing education for women in lower and middle management positions who would like to prepare for the next career step and acquire the skills necessary to take on a more senior role.

As a participant, you will

  • learn about various leadership approaches
  • gain personal insights into your own leadership style and development potential
  • learn how to motivate your team and maintain your own energy levels as well
  • improve your negotiation skills
  • enhance your executive presence and effectiveness in communication

The Aiming Higher Women’s Leadership Programme is a highly personalized and interactive online learning experience with lasting impact. This includes:

  • building your personal network through in-depth interactions with other female leaders,
  • receiving expert guidance for mapping out a plan for your next career step,
  • participating in an online mentoring programme to continue your learning journey with a senior sparring partner.   

Develop your potential and prepare for your future career today!

 

 

Next steps

Are you interested in this programme? You have several options to find out if this executive education fits you and your career planning:

Consultation

Learn more about the programme in a personal conversation.

Melissa Reynolds 14x18px 26102017 1

Melissa Reynolds Senior Programme Manager Diversity & Leadership Programmes

Target Audience

Women in lower to middle management positions

Application Criteria

Participants should have a university degree or equivalent educational certificate and professional experience.

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Your Benefits

  • Strengthen your leadership competencies, executive presence, and negotiation skills
  • Receive personalised expert advice for your continued development
  • Expand your network and learn from other female leaders with various backgrounds
  • Create a personal plan for your next career step
  • Continue your learning journey with an innovative mentoring programme
  • Further your education from the convenience of your home or office
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Structure and Course Design

The Aiming Higher Women’s Leadership Programme consists of 7 modules spread over 8 weeks. Each module consists of a live half-day online session as well as self-paced learning elements. Participants should expect to spend 1-2 hours each week for individual or group learning activities in addition to the live sessions.

All lecturers utilize a variety of methods to ensure a high level of customized learning. These include:

  • a personality inventory (Hogan) with individual expert feedback,
  • video-based preparation assignments, 
  • follow-up learning activities as well as
  • in-class exercises and group discussions.

After completing the 7 online sessions, participants embark on an innovative mentoring programme. Mentors and mentees meet online at regular intervals to further reflect on leadership topics and to exchange best practices.

The programme includes a reunion in Zurich or St. Gallen each summer to give participants, alumnae and mentors the opportunity to receive additional inspiration and grow their personal network.

The course language is English, but participants can opt to complete the personality inventory and the mentoring programme in German or other languages upon request.

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Content and Modules

Kick-off: Meet & Greet Session

Thursday, 11 May 2023
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

On the eve of our first course date, we will meet online for a brief and informal virtual reception. This “not to miss” event will provide you with the opportunity to meet the programme director and to get to know your course colleagues. Take this opportunity to start building your network and to establish rapport with those who will be accompanying you on the exciting journey ahead!


Module 1: 
Introduction to Leadership

Friday, 12 May 2023
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

In this kick-off session you will learn about various leadership styles based on emotional intelligence using interactive case discussions. You will discover the role of leaders in shaping organisational culture and understand the interdependence between company values and organisation design. Finally, you will discuss the importance of role model behaviour and reflect on the kind of leader you want to be.  

Amanda Shantz edited

Amanda Shantz, PhD, Professor of Management and MBA Director at the University of St. Gallen


Module 2: 
Personal Leadership Styles

Friday, 26 May 2023
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Based on your personal results of the Hogan personality inventory, which you will complete before this session, you will discover more about your own personal work and leadership style. You will identify individual strengths and development potential and receive inspiration for integrating best practices into your own leadership style. A particular focus will be on the growing need for inclusive leadership and how to effectively manage and empower diverse and remote teams.

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Nicole Neubauer, CEO, metaberatung GmbH

Patricia Widmer

Dr. Patricia Widmer, Founder and Managing Partner, aalto AG

Module 3: 
Sustainable Self-Leadership

Friday, 2 June 2023
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Becoming an effective leader starts with maintaining good self-leadership skills. In this session, you will reflect on your personal energy levels and discover key influencing factors and daily routines for sustainably managing your personal energy and resources. You will come away with effective tools for increasing your productivity and presence at work and for developing a growth mindset in every season of life. ​

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Dr. Maximilian Strecker, keynote speaker and executive coach on the topics of leadership, motivation, and self-management


Module 4: 
Team Leadership

Friday, 9 June 2023
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

In this session you will engage in interactive discussions and action learning sequences around the topic of how to motivate your team. Particular focus will be given to the topic of psychological safety- why it is the number one success factor for high-performing teams and how to foster it as a team leader.

Anna Christina Leisin edited

Dr.Anna-Christina Leisin, coach for top executives and teams on the topics of leadership, psychological safety, and high-performance


Module 5: 
Executive Presence

Friday, 16 June 2023
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

In this session, you will learn how to demystify the skills leaders need to inspire trust, confidence, and commitment from others. You will discover clear and compelling communication tools for different personality types and rehearse staying poised and confident even when discussing the most difficult topics. 

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Lisa Christen, executive leadership coach, trainer, facilitator and consultant 


Module 6: 
Negotiation Skills

Friday, 23 June 2023
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Negotiating successfully in challenging situations is a skill that can help you advance both professionally and personally. In this highly interactive module, you will practice proven methods of conducting negotiations according to the Harvard principle. You will learn how to focus on the interests of your counterpart and find constructive solutions in conflict situations without losing sight of your own goals.

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Catherine Mehrtens, Principal at Egger Philips and international negotiation consultant and trainer

Module 7: 
Driving my Career

Friday, 30 June 2023
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Be the author of your own career success story! In this final module, you will learn to increase your visibility and drive your own career goals. This includes identifying and communicating effectively with various key stakeholders. You will also acquire tools to help you identify your various options and map out a concrete plan for your next career step.

Mike Widmer

Dr. Mike J. Widmer, founder and CEO of aalto, leadership, executive search and career consultant

achim wolter

Dr. Achim Wolter, Company Lead Enterprise Agility at Baloise Group


Mentoring Programme

July – December 2023

Take part in a unique virtual mentoring programme to continue your personal learning journey and discuss your next career goals with a seasoned sparring partner. You will be matched with a suitable female mentor and participate in 6 1-hour online sessions over a 6-month period.

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Our partner for professional automated matching and online mentoring platform


Annual Reunion

Summer 2023

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Each year, participants, alumnae and mentors of the Aiming Higher Women’s Leadership community come together for a special reunion in Zurich or St. Gallen to receive further inspiration for their careers and to continuing cultivating their network. Date and location to be announced.

Testimonials

Meet our Faculty

Events

Info Event: Aiming Higher - Women's Leadership Programme

Dienstag, 22.08.2023
12:30 - 13:30

Why University of St.Gallen

The HSG – your partner for first-class executive education in Switzerland

At the University of St. Gallen (HSG), you can choose from one of the largest executive education portfolios in the German speaking region – the right programme for your needs and career objectives. The renowned quality and practical relevance of the learning experience convinces more than 6000 participants per year. Profit from an Executive Degree from St.Gallen – the best business school in the German-speaking world – and get ahead in your career!

  • For high-quality teaching and executive training by top researchers

  • For competent executives

  • For Lifelong Learning

  • For international collaborations

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