UNICON’s recent webinar, “Leading and Managing Your Executive Education Team in Today’s Turbulent Times,” delivered critical insights for executive education professionals navigating what experts call a “polycrisis” – multiple interconnected global challenges happening simultaneously.
Challenges for Executive Education Teams Today
Associate Dean and Professor Gretchen Spreitzer from Michigan Ross Business School and Professor Gianpiero Petriglieri from INSEAD identified some key factors creating stress for executive education teams:
- ▸Geopolitical tensions affecting international programs
- ▸University budget constraints limiting resources
- ▸Societal fragmentation impacting learning environments
- ▸Rising workplace anxiety
The Psychology of Crisis Leadership
Research reveals that substantial change triggers “threat rigidity” – making teams more rigid precisely when innovation is needed most. This manifests as:
- ▸Micromanagement replacing empowerment
- ▸Restricted creative thinking due to anxiety
- ▸Over-reliance on past behaviors instead of adaptation
Building Sustainable Leadership Cultures
Webinar Recording
Missed it? Watch the first 30 minutes of our webinar before we moved on to Q&As and breakout rooms:
Three Evidence-Based Strategies for Building Thriving Teams:
1Strengthen Purpose and Meaning in Executive Education
- ▸Collect and share client success stories regularly
- ▸Attend professional development conferences to reinforce mission
- ▸Create “purpose booster shots” through feedback collection
- ▸Document program impact for team motivation
2Build High-Quality Professional Relationships
Practical relationship-building tactics:
- ▸Start meetings with “30-second celebrations”
- ▸Practice gratitude with handwritten notes
- ▸Create cross-team gatherings for connection
- ▸Build trust through consistent communication
3Cultivate Positive Workplace Emotions
- ▸Transform “Sunday scaries” into positive anticipation
- ▸Use “good news” sharing rituals in leadership meetings
- ▸Inject positive energy intentionally into interactions
- ▸Celebrate small wins to build momentum
The Art of “Holding” During Organizational Crisis
INSEAD’s Professor Petriglieri introduced the concept of leadership “holding” – providing stability through:
Interpersonal Holding
- ▸Regular check-ins and emotional support
- ▸Clear communication about challenges
- ▸Empathetic leadership presence
Institutional Holding
- ▸Fair systems and solid processes
- ▸Living up to declared organizational values
- ▸Protecting institutional integrity
Redefining Management Education’s Strategic Role
Modern executive education programs must balance three critical functions:
Coherence
Building adherence to organizational norms
Dissonance
Empowering people to challenge outdated practices
Connection
Creating bridges between diverse stakeholders
Key insight: Moving beyond efficiency-focused education to “building pluralism without polarization.”
More to Come: Part 2 of This Series
This webinar is the first in our ongoing series exploring executive education leadership during challenging times.
For UNICON Members: Keep an eye on your inbox – we’ll send you the invitation for Part 2 soon.
Want to stay in the loop? Make sure you’re connected with UNICON for more insights like these.
