I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Des Dearlove and Stuart Crainer, founders of Thinkers50, to discuss the Thinkers50 Executive MBA they’ve just launched.
As journalists, authors and editors, there is no question that the co-founders of Thinkers50 have a deep understanding of how our management landscape has evolved over the last 25 years. Through visiting professorships, associate fellowships and extensive programme delivery in multiple business schools, Dearlove and Crainer have been close to the beating heart of executive education for more than two decades. However, despite their personal input, both feel that beating heart has slowed, and that without resuscitation of a radical nature, our future management thinkers will not be given the inspirational launchpad they need to change management thinking for tomorrow.
Dearlove has real clarity when describing how both he and Crainer were inspired when launching their own programme. “Rather than learning by rote from tired text and theory, we feel the answer lies in a new brand of executive MBA that delivers inspired modern thinking and practical application at the core of the programme,” says Dearlove. “We also believe that servant leadership should be studied, understood and implemented as part of this practical application. For too long, existing hierarchical structures have stif led the thoughts and opportunities of future leaders and managers by suffocating the inclusive, supportive and hungry minds championed in the work of the Thinkers50 network.”
Dearlove and Crainer are looking forward to welcoming the “management thinkers of tomorrow” to the first Thinkers50 Executive MBA programme, with registrations taking place now and the course starting in September.
It is with considerable anticipation that I await the first alumni of the Thinkers50 Executive MBA. If re-engagement with the management world with half the passion, knowledge and inspiration displayed by Dearlove and Crainer results, we will be seeing some phenomenal new thinkers reshaping the world of leadership and management in the near future.
By NCFLM: The National Centre for Leadership and Management (NCLM) is a multimedia association for all leaders and managers, embedding world class leadership and management development that will effect lasting change in knowledge, skills and behaviours. Delivering formal executive-level qualifications, the NCLM is proud to count the leading management thinkers of our generation as colleagues in the delivery of such relevant and inspiring education.
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