Executive education programs are more than just a fancy credential — they’re giving business professionals the tools, insights and networks they need to tackle real-world challenges and become more effective leaders.
We caught up with alumni from top business schools who’ve seen firsthand how these courses can transform careers, helping them to think bigger, solve problems faster and lead with more confidence.
Gaining a Diversity of Viewpoints
For Funke Shobanjo, the chief operating officer at FBNQuest Merchant Bank in Nigeria, London Business School’s Accelerated Development Programme (ADP) made a real difference. But it wasn’t just about what she learned in class — the connections she made were just as useful.
“The peer network from the course has been incredibly impactful in shaping my career,” she says.
“The diverse perspectives of my peers have provided invaluable insights that directly contribute to the value I add daily in my role.”
What really stood out for her was the practical focus of the LBS program, which is delivered mostly in one-week bursts in the UK capital.
“The course equipped me with the knowledge and tools to address complex operational issues and drive strategic initiatives,” Shobanjo shares.
It wasn’t just theory — she was able to put new ideas into practice right away, tackling challenges at her company like identifying operational bottlenecks and boosting compliance.
“A significant challenge we face is the continuous need to optimize our internal processes amidst growing competition,” she says.
“The insights I gained from the ADP empowered me to more easily identify operational bottlenecks, incorporating effective compliance strategies…[and] positioning us better in the market.”
Finding Solutions to Real-World Challenges
For Shobanjo, the value of the program goes beyond skills — it’s about joining a community of professionals who help each other in finding fresh solutions to everyday challenges.
“The collaborative environment of the course, where everyone is part of a supportive community, has allowed me to leverage the experiences of my peers to find innovative solutions to the challenges we face in our day-to-day operations,” she says.
For Santi Carlino, chief people and ICT officer at Italian luxury yacht maker Azimut, IESE Business School’s Advanced Management Program was a game changer. He completed the program in 2018 and then returned in 2022 for IESE’s “Artificial Intelligence for Executives” course.
The biggest shift for him? A deeper understanding of himself as a leader. “The IESE program deeply transformed my leadership approach by fostering a greater sense of self-awareness and strategic insight,” he says.
It wasn’t just about picking up new frameworks or management techniques — it was about getting a real handle on his own strengths and weaknesses, and learning how to adapt to different situations on the fly.
“Through reflection and feedback, I became more conscious of my leadership style, strengths and areas for improvement,” Carlino explains.
This self-awareness helped him lead more authentically, adapting to different challenges and team dynamics.
“It helped me recognize how my decisions and actions impact not only the organization but the broader ecosystem,” he said.
When asked what the most valuable skill he gained was, Carlino didn’t hesitate: “A blend of strategic thinking and self-awareness,” he says. “IESE sharpened my ability to not only assess external business challenges but also to reflect on my own leadership decisions.” That combination has allowed him to lead more effectively, in line with his values.
Steven Grundy, the interim director of open executive education programs at Cambridge Judge Business School, believes that executive courses can deliver a major boost to careers — especially if participants know how to make the most of their time.
“Executive education programs provide participants with the opportunity to gain advanced skills, expand their professional networks and potentially accelerate their career progression,” he says.
One of the biggest benefits? Confidence. “Many participants find that these programs boost their confidence, enabling them to take on more responsibility and make more strategic contributions to their organizations, which often leads to more senior roles,” Grundy explains.
But he’s quick to point out that measuring the return on investment (ROI) from an executive program isn’t always straightforward.
“Measuring ROI can be complex and depends on the participant’s initial goals — whether the aim is to develop new skills, deepen existing expertise or transition into a new role,” he says.
To really see the value, Grundy suggests having a plan for applying new skills back at work and discussing it with managers to ensure everyone’s on the same page.
And those relationships built during the course? They’re not just for swapping business cards.
Nurture Your New Network
“Maintaining the relationships established during the program is essential,” he says. “These connections can unlock new opportunities and collaborations, potentially leading to business ventures or providing long-term career growth.”
So whether it’s tackling operational challenges, refining leadership styles or making strategic career moves, these programs help professionals step up and make a bigger impact.
For Shobanjo, it’s all about the power of a strong network and practical skills. For Carlino, it’s the combination of introspection and strategy. And for Grundy, the value lies in leveraging new knowledge and relationships to achieve career goals.
In the end, executive education is about much more than theories and frameworks — it’s about becoming the kind of leader who doesn’t just face challenges but thrives on them.
