What is the role of the enterprise in nurturing women leaders?  What does it take for women to rise up to the challenge?  What is the role that men can play?  Can women be role models for men?  These were some of the issues discussed at an executive discussion panel which was held on 31 May at SMU to mark the launch of SMU Executive Development’s (SMU ExD) new portfolio of Open Enrolment Programmes.

Despite a heavy downpour, over 70 participants turned up for the session entitled ‘Successful Leadership & Gender: A View from the C-suite’, which proved to be full of insight, candor and humour.

[Photo: Dr Tanvi welcoming the audience to the executive panel discussion.]

The generous sharing by a sterling panel, comprising Ms Christy Forest, Executive Director of CEB, Ms Madhabi Puri Buch, Head of Greater Pacific Capital, Mr Mike Howard, Chief Security Officer of Microsoft Corporation, Mr Hari V Krishnan, Managing Director of LinkedIn and Mr Tham Sai Choy, Managing Partner of KPMG, was skillfully moderated by Dr Tanvi Gautam, Programme Director of ‘Women and Leadership’, leaving the audience with many valuable takeaways.

SMU ExD’s ‘Women and Leadership’ Open Enrolment Programme, which is designed to equip women with frameworks, tools and strategies to increase their chances of success in the higher echelons of the organisation, is set to run in September 2013.

[Photo: The audience, comprising both men and women, was engaged in a lively and meaningful discussion on the topic of women leadership.]

It is one of the programmes in SMU ExD’s newly announced portfolio of 19 Open Enrolment Programmes targeted at senior executives up to C-suites.  In total, the 19 programmes will develop the competencies that business executives need to thrive today and lead tomorrow.

[Photo: Mr Steve Wyatt: “SMU takes a practice driven approach to teaching – something which is very much valued by our corporate clients.”]

“In today’s knowledge-based and highly dynamic economy, companies and their employees are taking a very active, perhaps even aggressive approach towards continuous learning, as it strengthens core capabilities and is a source of competitive advantage.  Uniquely, SMU represents a fusion of Asian and Western theory and practice, while maintaining a strong foundation in our own research and case studies of management and business practices in Asia. SMU also takes a practice driven approach to teaching – something which is very much valued by our corporate clients,” said Steve Wyatt, Executive Director of SMU Executive Development.

“So far, our tailor-made, company-specific programmes have benefitted participants tremendously as we are able to design the programme to specifically address organisation-wide competencies and relevant business issues. It is this ability to listen and respond to our clients’ needs through a consultative approach that contributes to the success of our customised programmes. Going forward, I am confident that our comprehensive portfolio of Open Enrolment Programmes will also be well-received as they tackle some of the most salient issues in the corporate world today,” he added.