Why is IMD’s leadership stream so unique?

The IMD MBA is designed to help you become not just a better professional, but a real leader who inspires teams, drives meaningful change, and leaves a positive mark on both business and society. But what is it that truly makes our leadership stream stand out? We asked some of this year’s MBAs to share their thoughts with you.

Zareen Cheema from Sweden summed it up as:

“The leadership stream provides me with the space to reflect on the type of leader I aspire to be. This kind of reflection is essential for developing self-awareness.“

A personal experience

It all starts with the Leadership Lab team challenges and guided reflection that encourages you to look inward and begin asking the big questions: What kind of leader do I want to be? How do I show up for others? Having set the scene for this kind of reflection, students frequently refer to the impact of the Personal Development Elective one-on-one coaching sessions. Pranav Awasthi from India put it this way:

“The leadership stream is giving me tools to channel my inner leader. By learning to discern between instincts, thoughts, senses, and feelings, I can employ the right facet of my personality for different situations. In particular, the Personal Development Elective has been enlightening and thought-provoking for me. Together with my coach, I am learning to connect the dots between ‘why I do what I do’, and ‘how it affects my decision-making.”

A safe space to grow

Often referred to as the IMD bubble, the program creates a safe and supportive environment with plenty of opportunities to try new approaches and stretch beyond your comfort zone. Group coaching, peer feedback, and exercises designed to simulate workplace challenges help you learn to lead with empathy and manage conflict.

One key example is the mini version of IMD’s renowned High Performance Leadership program, which equips you with practical tools to form and lead high-performing teams in a cross-cultural, collaborative environment.

As Alfonso Martinez from Mexico explained:

“The IMD MBA Leadership Stream offers a unique opportunity to deeply reflect on yourself — to understand who you are, capitalize on your strengths, and know your weaknesses by name. It allows you to experiment and grow in what is likely the safest environment you’ll ever experience.”

Jason Hillier from Canada added:

“IMD’s Leadership stream offers personalized training that challenges your perceptions and biases on how to lead a team most effectively.”

Beyond leadership

But it’s not just the soft skills that you learn. Key transversal skills round out your leadership toolkit and develop your ability to communicate with clarity, purpose, and presence. In particular:

• Storyboarding and storytelling: your ability to present information and communicate your ideas clearly and evocatively.
• Asking good questions: how to ask the right questions to find the information you need to make informed decisions.
• Strategic presence and presentation: the confidence to present your ideas, influence stakeholders, and drive action.

Siya Xabanisa a 2023 graduate from South Africa sums it up for us:

“The emphasis on collaboration, empathy, and resilience has reinforced my belief in the power of leadership to inspire and uplift others. Choosing IMD for its leadership focus was a transformative experience, equipping me with the skills and mindset to lead with confidence and make a real impact in the world.”