Communication is one of the most important components of effective leadership, and its relevance was highlighted by the coronavirus pandemic when leaders were forced to take on a more communicative and direct management role.

This innovative approach to problem-solving puts executives in their customers’ shoes, so that they can better understand their unmet, or unarticulated, needs. A number of executive education programs have now been created by business schools to help guide managers and leaders through the design thinking process.

Companies are increasingly demanding leaders who are empathetic and compassionate, who can motivate and engage employees, promote wellbeing and improve productivity. In response to the pressures of remote working and growing calls for greater diversity in the workplace, business schools have created courses focused on “positive leadership”, which focus on the virtues of trust, inclusivity, gratitude, and generosity. Participants learn how to transform working relationships so that employees are focused on collective gains.