A pilot project at Frankfurt School

Creative Complexity Preparing for Leadership in a Dynamic World

Overview The business world that you will enter after graduating from Frankfurt School is characterized by some dramatic changes. It is far more dynamic and uncertain than it used to be. Depending on your personal preferences and predispositions this can be a threat or a great opportunity. What is true, however, is that you need skills and competences that are quite different from what previous generations needed to succeed. Most notably, what you know will be less important than your mindset and your cognitive, analytical and creative capabilities. To be it clear, you will still need to learn and know a lot of things, ranging from accounting to marketing and beyond. But its not enough. Even if you already have an idea of how youd want your future career to look like, youll have a much harder time to map out the steps and define in advance what you need to know for that. A Dynamic World We see three trends that are transforming the world of business: This requires not only good intercultural and psychological skills but also a deep understanding of new forms of communication and how they shape our environment. Business leaders cannot just be business people anymore. Without experience of other sectors and spheres they will miss opportunities and fail to recognize vital trends for their companies. The Program We at Frankfurt School want to prepare you for all challengesthe known and

The speed of disruptive innovation Trends in business change at rapid pace. Challengers with a new service, a differ-

Debriefing with students from the 2012 cohort in Heidelberg

The impact of Big Data Technological progress in all areas of life enables us to track and collect more data than ever before. Rather than having to find scarce data, todays business environment is characterized by an abundance of information. How do you analyze it and how do you make sense of this mountain of knowledge? Boundless and borderless collaboration Globalization and online technology make work border- and boundless. Tomorrows business leader need to cooperate and collaborate with colleagues, partners and clients from all over the worldface-toface, in virtual environments and generally in a much more constant and interactive way.

ent business model or a crazy technology appear and have the potential to radically change existing markets and sectors. Business leaders need to be flexible, holistic thinkers with an ability to apply creativity.

The convergence of spheres In the old days, the worlds of business, politics and society were fairly separate. Today, these spheres are converging. Social Entrepreneurs provide vital services for the poor and make money at the same time. Political regulation affects companies but it can also be an opportunity and open new markets. Some global challenges cannot be solved by governments anymore without using private enterprise as a lever.

the unknownso that you have the best starting position for your career. Therefore, in 2012 we launched the pilot project Creative Complexity: Preparing for Leadership in a Dynamic World led by Undergraduate Programme Director Dr. Matthias Catn. In two blocks of five days each (one in February 2014 and one in June/July 2014) we will take up to 30 people from your cohort out of your normal environment, go on a retreat and expose you to new ideas and new thinking around the four trends highlighted above. This is not an extension of class. Everything will be highly interactive, workshopstyle. There are no exams, so theres no pressure. Instead we will try out things and dont be afraid to do weird and out-

rageous things. The facilitators will not come from Frankfurt Schools faculty (our faculty is great, but you already meet them in class!). Instead, we will bring in worldclass experts and practitioners from different areas. And finally, well have lots of fun! Dates and Location The first workshop week will take place from 19 to 23 February 2014 in Heidelberg. The second workshop week will be from 28 June to 4 July 2014 in Kloster Bronnbach. It is not necessary to do both workshops, although participants who signed up for the first week will be given priority for the second. Content The topics covered will all focus on a skill that you will need in the new business world. For February, we are planning a two-day module on Successful and Agile Collaboration, where you will learn (and experience) what it means to work together in teams on complex and dynamic tasks. In the module Leadership from Within we will talk about different personality types. You will do a psychometric test called MBTI in advance and we will see how your personality traits translate into strengths and weaknesses and what that means for your personal development. A third topic for February is still to be determined, as is the programme for the summer. To give you an idea heres a list of things that were excited about: (Peer-)Coaching and mentoring: how to help others grow Self-assessment: Emotional Intelligence Negotiation and conflict resolution Working with the media Public affairs, business diplomacy and stakeholder management Social media Systems thinking How to organize and run teams Prediction and scenario planning Creativity and design thinking: learn from artists and designers Social entrepreneurship: do well while doing good - how to succeed with a triple bottom line Convince and influence others

Camera and media training at workshop with 2012 cohort

Benefits You will acquire crucial skills in addition to the content of your curriculum. These are not soft skillsin fact, they are hard skills that are increasingly in demand with employers. Target Groups Space is limited to 30 participants from the 2013 Bachelor cohort. In its pilot phase the project is primarily geared towards students of IBA, BBA and MPE, but others may join if there is space. Special preference will be given to women and students who immigrated to Germany or whose parents immigrated. This is done in accordance with the funding criteria of the European Social Fund. It should also be noted that the project is extracurricular. As such, students of the dual programs are not entitled to leave from their employers and have to find a individual solution. Certificate The pilot project is extra-curricular and doesnt include any exams. No ECTS credit points will be awarded. All participants who complete both weeks will receive a Certificate outlining their achievements and list the topics covered. In addition, Frankfurt School will make a detailed documentation of the project available (this is also part of the funding proposal) so that participants will be able to show exactly what kind of skills they have acquired in the process. Cost The pilot project is jointly funded in equal

parts by Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and by the European Social Fund through the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and the Arts of the State of Hesse. There is no fee for students. Food, accommodation and tuition will be covered by project funds. Students are responsible for travel to and from the locations. How to Register Please register for the February week by sending an e-mail to Behroz Sharifi (b.sharifi@fs.de) by 29November. Please state the programme you are in and whether you qualify for preferential treatment as immigrant or child of an immigrant (see section on Target Groups above for details). Registrations will be considered in the order in which they are received. Please note that your registration is binding. Registration for June/July will be in March. Supported by