Advanced Management Programme

My advice to anyone considering taking the AMP at INSEAD is simple really. Open your heart and mind to the experience and you will get a huge return.

There’s so much change happening and the world is evolving so fast, I had begun to understand how critical – how essential – it is to find new ways to think about leadership to approach your work.

A Georgian, a Finn, a Swiss, an Englishman and a Dutchman… sounds like the beginning of a joke, doesn’t it?” says Jaap Scheele. But, in fact, it was a study group at INSEAD – and the beginning of a friendship that has endured for more than 15 years (and counting). But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s go back in time…

I do approach work differently. When I talk to people I question things a lot more. I am more aware of the different assumptions people are making. I am aware of framing conversations and am aware of different angles. I am more engaged. Thanks to the programme I have instruments and tools to understand and look at situations. This allows me to see the bigger picture.

The Advanced Management Programme was a really great experience for me, and far beyond my expectations. The month I spent with 60 other executives was extremely valuable. The diversity of people from different countries and industries, as well as the impressive curriculum, gave me tremendous inspiration and insight, and increased my confidence in my own judgement. Through the various sessions, 360 degree survey, and discussions with other executives, I was able to better understand my strengths, weakness and values. As they say, ‘leadership is a journey... not a destination.’ Thanks to this programme, I feel that I have been able to take a big step forward in developing my leadership abilities and aspiration.

It emphasises the fact that exercising judgement is a craft that can be honed with practice, and the coaching and feedback we did on this was really valuable – especially around the power of harnessing the wisdom of the crowd.

It is more than a leadership programme, it is a life-long journey with great content, reflective conversations and structured coaching sessions. It was a very exciting learning experience!

We had a very broad mix of senior people – more than 32 nationalities, representing a wide range of industries, cultures and disciplines. This led to a lot of sharing of knowledge and perspectives, which I found really enriching.

The programme changed not only my approach and thinking towards business, but also fundamentally identified and addressed aspects of my personality and strengths that I never would have otherwise seen reason to adjust.