Who

SL is for senior and upper-middle level female executives in business, government and the not-for-profit sector. Participants generally have a minimum of 10 years' management experience and come from a wide range of industries, functional backgrounds and geographic regions.

At IMD, we have seen that women become passionate and empowered learners in this unique setting. By drawing on the experience of peers and building powerful international networks across organizations, participants also become strong mentors and role models for each other.

What

Corporations and governments worldwide are increasingly concerned about the under-representation of women in executive management and leadership roles. Some have attempted to address the issue by introducing positive discrimination policies. At the same time, the business benefits of “Diversity and Inclusion” are becoming more and more well-established. As of January 2011, 2.6% of Fortune 1,000 companies had a female CEO.*

IMD’s Strategies for Leadership (SL) program helps companies to address this imbalance by equipping female executives for greater success in current assignments and preparing them to successfully climb the corporate ladder.

The program specifically focuses on improving skills that have emerged from research as being more in need of development among women than men:

• Communicating vision and strategy
• Networking
• Managing career transitions
• Assertiveness, self-confidence and managing upwards
• Visibility
• Negotiating and influencing

SL is a transformational learning experience. Through personal reflection, self-assessment, discussions, experiential learning and executive coaching, you will increase your self-awareness and skills – and develop the ability to lead more effectively and authentically.

Strategies for Leadership will help you to:

• Improve performance and lead more effectively 
• Prepare to take on top-level management roles and board positions
• Build a network of colleagues to serve as mentors and role models

* http://www.catalyst.org/publication/322/women-ceos-of-the-fortune-1000

How

Learning is carried out through a multitude of methods ranging from cutting-edge case studies and experiential learning to Faculty and guest speaker presentations. You will also work extensively with coaches in one-on-one and group sessions and will keep in touch with a coach after the program to discuss your progress.

Our Faculty

Our Faculty members are recognized world authorities in their fields. They divide their time between teaching, research and acting as consultants to international companies. They remain on top of the latest management trends.

You can expect timely, innovative learning activities, materials and content in all IMD programs.

In this section, you will find important information on the program fee, application, invoicing, cancellation and transfer. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our program advisors.

Fee

The program fee (which is mentioned on the overview page) includes tuition, teaching materials, and lunch on weekdays. Travel or living expenses are not covered. You must settle your own hotel bills, both when in Lausanne and on off-campus assignments, as well as all dinners and lunches on weekends when applicable. IMD reserves the right to modify the program fee at any time.

Tentative reservation

To make a non-binding reservation, send us a completed tentative reservation form. This carries no obligation and is not a substitute for the formal application form.

Application & invoicing

Your application is forwarded to the program director who will evaluate it to ensure that the program corresponds to your objectives and profile. This can take approximately 1 week.

The information & registration office will notify you of the outcome of your application. If you are accepted, they will send your acceptance letter and invoice fee together by priority mail. From this point, your enrollment will be considered firm by both you and IMD.

Please pay the program fee within 30 days of the invoice date and no later than the commencement of the program. If you register within 1 month of the start of the program, you must settle the invoice immediately without exception.
Payment can be made by bank transfer or credit card.

Up to six weeks before the program start date, a program coordinator will contact you with information on hotels and pre-program preparation. Please note that IMD reserves enough rooms for each participant on the program.

If accepted, you understand that you must be completely free of professional duties while attending this program and that you must attend all scheduled sessions and activities.

Substitution

A participant can be substituted on the same program session without incurring any fees. The substitute needs to apply and be admitted.

Note: Once you have paid the program tuition fee, if you do not attend another program within 24 months, the program fee will be forfeited.