“The diverse cohort of participants in each INSEAD programme, especially for the face-to-face ones, fostered rich discussions and learning opportunities, allowing me to gain new perspectives and build a strong professional network. Combined with the theoretical knowledge gained and practical applications offered, the experience has been truly transformative.”
It was in 2014 when Aaron, who was holding a a country role, was thrust into a regional role. Suddenly he was managing initiatives across Asia Pacific and responsible for over 30 production sites.
By this time, Aaron had already gained 13 years of experience in various fields. He had started his career in manufacturing companies and within a few years, successfully made the leap into management consulting. He had worked with clients around the world in a variety of industries, honing his skills in areas such as strategy and operations in the process. Along the way, he also completed a Master of in Science and a Master in Finance to keep his skills up to date.
“I reached a point where I was consistently facing complex and multi-dimensional challenges that require not only technical and operational solutions, but also a deep understanding of organisational behaviour and change management,” he recalls.
“Despite my experience at the time, I realised that in order to drive sustainable growth and innovation within my organisation and beyond, I needed to enhance my capabilities in managing change, understanding human dynamics and leading transformative initiatives.”
His quest to do this led him to the INSEAD Executive Master in Change (EMC), previously known as the Executive Master in Consulting and Coaching for Change.
Making the right decision to choose INSEAD
Aaron shares that he had been considering joining INSEAD for years.
“INSEAD has always been synonymous with excellence in global business education. It has a reputation of fostering diverse and inclusive learning environments and has a strong focus on leadership and innovation,” he says as way of explanation.
He felt that the EMC curriculum was a perfect fit for his professional needs and provided a good balance between theoretical and practical learning. He also noted that it would provide him with alumni status and access to INSEAD's vast global network, which could open doors for future collaboration and professional growth.
Upon joining the programme, he was pleased to find he had no regrets.
“Each module I took was a transformative experience for me.”
Gaining the soft skills to influence and lead
Particularly memorable for Aaron was how the course went beyond offering business frameworks to also focus on personal growth.
For example, his cohort had a class on self-awareness because “before you think about how to change your organisation, you need to understand yourself”. “Our family is our first ‘organisation’ and the relationship with our siblings and parents actually shapes our behaviour and affects how we lead,” Aaron explains.
The rich class discussions and engaging activities allowed Aaron to reflect on his own motivations and gain valuable insights about his leadership. He applied these learnings at work and quickly earned the respect of the team.
It went so well that Aaron became the “go-to” person for some global initiatives deploymed in Asia. He was then the prime candidate from Asia to take on an expatriate role in the middle east.
“I believe without the EMC, I would not have been able to get these opportunities,” Aaron affirms.
Encouraged to continue his INSEAD journey
Aaron’s positive experience with the EMC led him to continue pursuing courses with INSEAD when he moved to his current position at a large conglomerate.
In 2018, he took on the Blue Ocean Strategy programme to uncover the frameworks to create uncontested market space. Later that year, he also completed the Competitive Strategy programme to learn how to help his company achieve and sustain its competitive advantage—an experience he especially values for giving him the chance to immerse himself in the INSEAD Fontainebleau campus.
In 2023, as Aaron’s career continued to develop, he again sought to update his skills. This time, he tried two of INSEAD’s online programmes: Executive Presence and Influence and Negotiation Fundamentals.
“Online learning offered me convenience. I liked that I could maximise my learning experience without compromising on my professional responsibilities,” Aaron shares.
He explains that the online programmes offered discussion forums and live sessions for participants to engage with and learn from course mates and faculty. Each week, there is also a well-structured assignment for him to apply their knowledge immediately.
These features helped Aaron dive deep into the material to better understand the concepts being taught—something he feels he couldn't achieve by just reading books.
A journey worth recommending
Listening to Aaron reflects on his career to date, it becomes clear that his time at INSEAD has left its mark both professionally and personally. In fact, one of the things he is excited about for his next trip to Singapore, is the chance to visit the INSEAD campus on his free day.
“The fact that I want to do this tells you that INSEAD is not just a typical school”, he muses.
Aaron hopes to find more opportunities to learn at INSEAD, and wholeheartedly encourages others considering an INSEAD programme to “just do it”.
“The education is both rigorous and practical, preparing you to tackle the most challenging aspects of the business world. The diverse and inclusive learning environment, combined with the expertise of the faculty and the rich network of peers, creates an unparalleled education experience,” he says.
“Whether you're looking to deepen your knowledge, enhance your leadership skills or drive transformative change within your organisation, INSEAD provides the resources, support and inspiration to help you achieve your goals!”
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