Articles / Leadership Development Programme Wits: Executive Excellence
Development, Training & CoachingDiscover Wits University's leadership development programmes designed for senior executives. Build strategic thinking, digital skills & ethical leadership.
Written by Laura Bouttell
What makes a truly transformative leadership development programme? The University of the Witwatersrand's Business School has answered this question with programmes that combine academic rigour with practical application, developing agile and ethical leaders who serve as forces for positive change across Africa and beyond.
In an era where business leadership faces unprecedented challenges—from digital transformation to stakeholder capitalism—the need for sophisticated executive development has never been more acute. Wits Business School's Executive Education programmes are specifically designed to address organisations' immediate and future needs by empowering employees to drive change, manage teams, and adopt innovative approaches to solving complex problems.
This comprehensive guide explores how Wits University's leadership development offerings stand apart in the crowded executive education landscape, providing the strategic insights modern leaders need to navigate complexity and drive meaningful organisational transformation.
Wits Business School combines the finest academic faculty with in-company insights and industry expertise to create high-performance real-world managers, leveraging academic excellence whilst providing education that can be lived in practice. This "pracademic" approach ensures that theoretical frameworks translate directly into actionable business strategies.
The institution's reputation precedes itself. WBS accreditation by leading international organisations, including the Association of MBAs (AMBA), and the Programme in International Management (PIM), attests to the high regard WBS commands in the business world.
The School positions itself at the forefront of research in emerging markets contexts, serving as a centre of dialogue, debate and discourse on social, economic and political issues facing Africa. The WBS Chair in Digital Business, the African Energy Leadership Centre and Chair in African Philanthropy represent the first initiatives of their kind on the continent.
This African perspective proves invaluable for leaders operating in dynamic emerging markets, where traditional Western management paradigms often fall short of addressing local complexities.
The comprehensive Leadership Development Programme taught by Wits Business School includes modules in Group Dynamics, Leadership and Diversity Management, Strategic Management, Digital Operations Management, Accounting and Finance, Human Resource Management, and Fundamentals of Economics.
Programme Structure:
The Management Advancement Programme represents Wits Business School's flagship offering for experienced managers ready to transition into senior leadership roles. "MAP was a great introduction to the commercial side of the business for a health professional like myself. I am now able to identify and leverage synergies between my department and others in the organisation", notes one graduate.
This programme particularly excels in:
The Advanced Leader Development programme targets senior managers and executives who have recently taken on leadership roles or have been earmarked for such positions in the future. This intensive programme addresses the unique challenges faced by C-suite executives and senior management teams.
Given the speed at which technology influences how we live and run businesses, digital skillsets have become crucial. Digital skills drive growth, increase revenue, enhance market positioning, and improve organisational performance.
Wits Business School recognises that digital literacy cannot be treated as a separate competency but must be woven throughout leadership development. Programmes are framed around the requirements of the new world of work with specific focus on digital skills, sustainability, collaboration, ethics, responsiveness and agility.
The curriculum addresses practical applications including:
Unlike leadership programmes designed for stable Western economies, Wits programmes address the realities of emerging market leadership. This includes:
Wits Business School Executive Education develops agile and ethical leaders who are a force for positive change. This emphasis on ethical leadership proves increasingly crucial as stakeholders demand greater corporate responsibility and transparency.
The ethical framework encompasses:
For Early-Career Leaders:
For Mid-Level Managers:
For Senior Executives:
Before selecting a programme, consider:
Graduates consistently report significant career progression following programme completion. The combination of theoretical knowledge, practical application, and networking opportunities creates a powerful catalyst for professional growth.
Typical Outcomes Include:
The benefits extend beyond individual development to organisational transformation:
Wits Business School partners with Executive Education departments from branded top-tier international business schools, broadening access to management education across Africa. This global connectivity ensures that local programmes maintain international standards whilst remaining contextually relevant.
Compared to international alternatives, Wits programmes offer exceptional value proposition:
The programmes carry weight in the international business community through established accreditations and partnerships, ensuring that credentials earned transfer across geographic and industry boundaries.
Environmental and social sustainability increasingly features in leadership curricula, reflecting growing stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements. Future programmes will likely expand coverage of:
Whilst maintaining the value of face-to-face interaction, programmes increasingly incorporate digital elements:
Future development will likely emphasise the "glocal" leader—someone capable of thinking globally whilst acting locally. This involves:
Programme duration varies significantly based on level and intensity. The flagship Leadership Development Programme consists of two consecutive weeks of full-time study, whilst other offerings range from single-day workshops to year-long modular programmes. Executive coaching components typically extend over several months to ensure practical application and skill reinforcement.
Requirements vary by programme level, but generally include relevant work experience, demonstrated leadership potential, and organisational support. Senior programmes typically require 5-10 years of management experience, whilst emerging leader programmes may accept candidates with 2-3 years of professional experience. Some programmes require employer sponsorship or organisational commitment to change implementation.
Yes, Wits Business School offers both open enrolment and customised programmes designed to address specific organisational needs. Customised offerings allow companies to address particular strategic challenges, cultural transformation requirements, or industry-specific leadership competencies whilst maintaining academic rigour and international standards.
Individual coaching sessions are scheduled at mutually suitable times for delegates and coaches, typically at three-week intervals. This personalised approach ensures that theoretical learning translates into practical application within participants' specific organisational contexts. Coaches are typically senior executives or experienced consultants with relevant industry experience.
The diverse participant base creates valuable networking opportunities across industries and geographic regions. The diversity and calibre of students helps participants increase their networks significantly, often leading to ongoing professional relationships, business partnerships, and career opportunities. Alumni networks continue to provide value long after programme completion.
The School positions itself at the forefront of research in emerging markets contexts, creating dialogue and discourse on social, economic and political issues facing Africa. This specialised focus ensures that programme content addresses real challenges such as resource constraints, regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure limitations, and diverse stakeholder expectations that characterise African business environments.
Wits Business School welcomes international participants and provides comprehensive support including orientation programmes, cultural integration assistance, and practical guidance on local business practices. The institution's growing international partnerships facilitate cross-border learning exchanges and global network development.
The landscape of business leadership continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, demanding leaders who can navigate complexity whilst maintaining ethical foundations. Wits Business School's leadership development programmes offer the unique combination of academic excellence, practical application, and emerging market expertise needed to develop agile and ethical leaders who serve as forces for positive change.
Whether you're an emerging leader seeking to establish your leadership foundation, a mid-level manager preparing for senior responsibilities, or a seasoned executive looking to enhance your strategic capabilities, Wits University offers a pathway tailored to your developmental needs.
The investment in leadership development represents more than professional advancement—it's a commitment to the kind of ethical, sustainable leadership that Africa and the world desperately need. As the business environment becomes increasingly complex and stakeholder expectations continue to rise, the leaders who thrive will be those equipped with both the analytical rigour and moral clarity that Wits programmes distinctively provide.
Take the next step in your leadership journey. Explore how Wits Business School's leadership development programmes can transform not just your career, but your capacity to create meaningful change in your organisation and community. The future of business leadership begins with the choices you make today.