As the world grapples with systemic challenges such as climate change, inequality and issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, leaders are being called upon to embrace a more humanistic style of management and nurture their social and emotional skills.

A number of executive education programs have stepped into this fray, offering participants the chance to become better corporate citizens. Much of the training will focus on inclusive leadership, exploring unconscious bias as well as creating a sense of belonging for employees. The courses are about how to foster diversity and inclusion through self-reflective exercises, interactive sessions and group work.

Other programs introduce participants to the ‘social sector’, from nonprofits to impact investing, sustainability, social enterprise. All of these courses are about how to promote the health and wellbeing of employees, while also improving the financial performance of the company and making better strategic choices. Ultimately, participants will be looking to make a positive difference in the world. 

See the best Executive Courses in Humanistic Leadership below. 

Companies are increasingly demanding leaders who empathetic and compassionate. Leaders who can motivate and engage employees, promote wellbeing and improve productivity. These concerns have come into sharper relief because of the coronavirus pandemic, the pressures of remote working, and the growing calls for greater diversity in the workplace.

In response to such calls, business schools and their executive education departments are not standing still. A number of schools have created courses focused on “positive leadership”, which focus on the virtues of trust, inclusivity, gratitude, and generosity. Participants learn how to transform working relationships so that employees are focused on collective gains.

Other courses focus on specific aspects of positive leadership, including diversity and inclusion, which has become a business imperative. Some schools empathize emotional intelligence, which helps leaders harness the power of emotions to boost motivation and performance. Many of the programs are action-orientated, with the executives working on real challenges faced by their companies, helping to diagnose dysfunctional processes and toxic cultures. They walk away with a concrete plan of action for change – and the tools to achieve it.