Corporate culture: Participants of the CAS Leadership & Inclusion

CAS Leadership & Inclusion

Lead diverse teams successfully to the future.

Strengthen your leadership capacity, reinforce your communication skills, and learn how successful diversity promotion works. This continuing education course gives you the tools to master challenging leadership and communication situations. At the same time, you will develop sustainable inclusion strategies to make your company more innovative and competitive.

Overview

Degree
Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Leadership and Inclusion
University of Bern
Course Start
June 22, 2023
Venue
University of Bern
As well as company visits
Format
Interactive courses
Six hands-on modules including workshops, a coaching session, mentoring activities, leadership lab simulation, company visits, and optional virtual roundtable meetings
Duration
10 months
Application Deadline
May 31, 2023
ECTS
12
Program Language
German
Program Fees
CHF 12,900

Your Benefits

Communication, Leadership & Diversity
The focus is on strengthening leadership, communication and diversity - essential pillars for an innovative and competitive corporate culture.
Variety & Inclusion
Active examination of the diversity and heterogeneity of employees in the context of the diversity dimensions, whereby strengths, challenges and opportunities of one's own identification factors as well as dealing with opposites are addressed.
Practical Relevance and Interactivity

The program is geared to the needs of ambitious professionals and designed for immediate implementation in everyday life. The practice-based nature of the program is additionally strengthened by examples, guest lectures, workshops, leadership simulation, and company visits.

Individual Coaching & Mentoring

In individual coaching sessions, personality tendencies and their influence on the individual leadership style are addressed based on the internationally recognized Big Five model. The program includes mentoring activities as well.

Interactivity & Network

Inspiring experts and fellow students from various companies and industries ensure that there are stimulating exchanges – after graduation, the valuable network lives on through regular meetings as part of the alumni/-ae organization.

Study Modules

Module 1 Effective Rhetoric and Presentation Skills

Art of Communication I/II

I know what I want and say how to get my message across! As managers, we have to write texts and present key messages again and again. A lot depends on the result, but there is often not enough time to prepare. How do we convince others in writing or in a presentation?  And how do we achieve a convincing result as quickly and efficiently as possible? In this module we train to plan writing processes and presentations strategically and creatively as well as to execute them skillfully and successfully. We question our habits, break routines and expand our repertoire of strategic and operative leadership communication with goal-oriented strategies and practices.

Learning Objectives

  • Structure presentations clearly
  • Present convincingly in front of a diverse audience
  • Argue clearly and with presence of mind in Q&As
  • Turn crises into opportunities to communicate
Module 2 Constructive Self-Management

Leading Yourself & Others I/II

Leadership starts with us – that’s why we deliberately focus on self-leadership before leading others. Based on the internationally recognized NEO personality inventory test, a one-on-one coaching session to self-reflect on our leadership personality takes place before the module. We learn to promote our strengths, overcome inner hurdles and deal with weaknesses. In addition to self-leadership based on personal values, the module focuses on efficient self-management. In this context, we address resilience and antifragility, among other things. The more aware we become of our leadership personality, the more successful and confident we are in dealing with employees.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand self-efficacy and its positive influences on interactions with others
  • Develop strategies for self-organization and make sustainable decisions
  • Learn to deal with uncertainty and loneliness at the top
  • Cope with setbacks and leave a crisis with new strength
Module 3 Individual Equal Opportunities

Diversity & Inclusion I/II:

A culture that promotes diversity not only aims to prevent discrimination and create equal opportunities, but also offers much more. It has long been proven that diverse teams are more successful. In this module, we therefore focus on the advantages and opportunities of diversity in the company. In this context, it is also about dealing with weaknesses and using strengths in the team. In addition, we want to create a common basis for assessing different behavior and responding professionally. In a workshop, for example, we discuss how communication patterns differ between women and men so that both can support each other effectively and approach challenging situations more skillfully in the future.

Learning Objectives

  • Diversity dimensions and their challenges
  • Professionalize the handling of weaknesses, strengths, and differences in the team
  • Add value by building awareness for equal opportunity
  • Recognize communication patterns and be able to respond to specific situations
Module 4 Situational Team Leadership

Leading Yourself & Others II/II

Leadership means working through employees – but how do we do this successfully? How do we lead diverse teams virtually and approach other challenging leadership situations? In this module, we highlight the principles of effective and authentic leadership based on current challenges in the classroom. We address topics such as resource management, goal setting, the influencing factors of group dynamics, as well as leadership trends of the future.

Learning Objectives

  • Know effective leadership styles/principles/roles/techniques and competencies for difficult leadership situations.
  • Understand authenticity as a concept and apply it in your professional environment
  • Master motivation and individual forms of trust building
  • Derive success factors to master future leadership challenges
Module 5 Successful Negotiation and Conflict Management

Art of Communication II/II

Managers negotiate at different levels every day. In addition to professional competence, convincing and sustainable negotiation results require efficient and well-structured negotiation management. Furthermore, the attitude with which we face our negotiating partners is important.  A successful negotiation results when all the involved parties gain some benefit. In this module, we therefore cover negotiation management in detail and discuss ways of assessing and resolving conflicts at various stages.

Learning Objectives

  • Plan and successfully conduct negotiations and meetings
  • Successfully integrate the cultural context into your negotiating position
  • Cope with negotiation stress professionally
  • Recognize, understand, and manage conflicts
Module 6 Common Corporate Culture

Diversity & Inclusion II/II

A culture that promotes diversity and inclusion must build a shared understanding. On this basis, a corporate culture can be created in which all employees are perceived and can contribute so that we live for each other instead of against each other. In this module, we deal with challenges and approaches to solutions on the way to a shared culture. In a workshop, for example, we discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion for promoting innovation and competitiveness in the age of new work.

Learning Objectives

  • Assess corporate readiness for diversity and inclusion
  • Understand and overcome cultural barriers
  • Know sustainable diversity as well as inclusion strategies
  • Promote diversity and inclusion in the company

Program Details

Goals & Benefits

The CAS Leadership & Inclusion focuses on strengthening leadership, communication and diversity – essential pillars for an innovative and competitive corporate culture.

Participants

  • strengthen their personal competence by reflecting on and addressing their strengths and weaknesses and enhancing their communication skills
  • increase their self-confidence and willingness to take responsibility for new tasks, break patterns, and confidently state their opinion
  • understand the approaches and tactics for leading teams and organizations
  • can manage difficult leadership situations and have the tools they need for doing so
  • become more aware of the importance of equal opportunities in teams and of the need to create a common culture in which diversity is perceived and promoted
  • can assess the culture of companies, recognize their personal development potential and shape their own leadership brand
  • have strengthened their position by expanding their network across industries and developing career strategies
Modules, Dates & Professors
Effective Rhetoric and Presentation Skills
22.06. – 23.06.2023
Sibylle Sommerer
Sibylle Sommerer
MAZ Lucerne, Switzerland
Time Window for Big Five Personality Inventory
Individual
Various
Appointment for Individual Big Five Coaching
Individual
Various
Constructive Self-Management
24.08. – 25.08.2023
Marco Furtner
Professor Marco Furtner
University of Liechtenstein, Liechtenstein
Kick-Off Mentoring
Individual
Various
Individual Equal Opportunities
05.10. – 06.10.2023
Fabiola Gerpott
Professor Fabiola Gerpott
WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, Germany
Situational Team Leadership
07.12. – 08.12.2023
Martina Zölch
Professor Martina Zölch
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz, Switzerland
Succesful Negotiation and Conflict Management
01.02. – 02.02.2024
Jochen Luksch
Jochen Luksch
Chairman of the board at Egger, Philips & Partner AG, Switzerland
Common Corporate Culture
25.04. – 26.04.2024
Jutta Rump
Professor Jutta Rump
Fachhochschule Ludwigshafen, Germany
Virtual Presentations
06.06. – 07.06.2024
Various
Company Visit and Certificate Presentation
29.08.2024

Please note that courses and dates can be subjects to change.

Applied Assignments

Instead of a cross-module final paper at the end of the CAS program, participants solve a practice-oriented knowledge transfer task on completion of five of the six modules. This serves to deepen and directly apply the module content in the context of their own company. This gives them the opportunity to apply what they have learned in their day-to-day work directly after the modules.

The assignment is sent out in the week following the module. To ensure flexibility, participants have three weeks to submit sustainable solutions for immediate implementation:

  • Module 1: No assessment
  • Modules 2-6: Knowledge transfer task after module completion
Program Management

Program Director
Prof. Dr. Petra Joerg

Lecturers
Experienced lecturers from the Rochester-Bern network ensure an interactive transfer of expertise using current and relevant examples. The focus is on the application of sound concepts and models in practice.

Company Contributions
In addition, experienced guest speakers from a wide range of companies provide exciting dialogues and in-depth insights through field reports in each module. Participants also benefit from best practices in a wide range of industries and perspectives. The program concludes with workshops, a leadership simulation, and company visits.

Guest Speakers
Numerous guest speakers from a wide variety of companies provide exciting dialogue and in-depth coverage of topics with their reports on their experiences, e.g.: performance skills:

  • Angélique Beldner (radio/TV presenter)
  • Authentic leadership: Adrian Berchtold (CEO)
  • Diversity-promoting culture: Angela Matthes (self-employed entrepreneur)
  • Employee development: Omer Dzemali (Clinic Director and Chief Physician)
  • Storytelling: Melanie Luu (content creator)

Topic inputs and background stories:

  • Generation XYZ
  • Transformation from man to woman
  • Storytelling against racism
  • The coming out of a CEO
  • From refugee to clinic director and chief physician
Target Audience/Requirements

A diverse class composition is of great importance. Statements on background, ambitions and application motivation make it possible to select participants with the following basic requirements:

  • Executives from all industries and sectors
  • At least five years of direct/indirect leadership
  • Basic business knowledge
  • University degree (exceptions regarding admission requirements can be approved  sur dossier by the program management)
Program Fees

The regular program fee is CHF 12,900, which covers program participation, electronic course materials, examination fees, and the certificate from the University of Bern. Course materials are provided electronically, and participants use their own laptop (or tablet) in class.

Discounts

Members of our partners can benefit from discounts. Our partners are listed here.

DAS/MAS Upgrade

It is possible to complement this course of study with further Rochester-Bern programs on a modular basis within five years. In this way, a “DAS (Diploma of Advanced Studies) in General Management” can be acquired with one further CAS program (and a final thesis) within five years, or a “MAS (Master of Advanced Studies) in General Management” with four further CAS programs (and a final thesis).

Application/Registration
Step 1
Online Application

Download the application package (in German) and complete it electronically. If a signature is required, please print out the document and sign and scan it. You can then upload the completed documents to the application portal. The following documents are required for a complete application. In addition, all terms and conditions must be read and accepted.

  • Copy of ID or passport
  • Current curriculum vitae
  • Letter of motivation
  • Copy of the highest diploma
  • Portrait photo
  • Additional information (in the application package)

Once your application has been fully uploaded, we will contact you about dates for an interview.

Step 2
Personal Interview

A personal interview will be conducted to determine if your qualifications and specific needs match the program.

Step 3
Admission Decision

The admission decision is made after the interview.

Next Info Sessions and Events

We will hold events related the CAS Leadership & Inclusion in the near future. Please click on the link below to view all RoBe events.

Get in touch with us!

Do you have any questions about the program? Our team is happy to answer them.

Explore our Blog for Further Insights