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Executive Education
Harvard Business School Right arrow Executive Education Right arrow Participant Stories Right arrow Sharpening Your Self-Awareness
... Right arrow Harvard Business School Right arrow Executive Education Right arrow Participant Stories Right arrow Sharpening Your Self-Awareness

Sharpening Your Self-Awareness

Discover tools and insights that will transform your leadership skills.
Sharpening Your Self-Awareness
Discover tools and insights that will transform your leadership skills.
Featured Program
General Management Program: Shaping the Future of Outstanding Leaders
Status

Accepting Applications

Date

31 JUL-17 NOV 2023

Format

Blended Combines both in-person and virtual learning.

Location

Virtual, HBS Campus

Move beyond your field of expertise to become an exceptional functional leader who aligns business activities to achieve strategic goals.
Download Download Brochure
Need Help? Contact Us:
Ms. Maggie Chang
Program Advisor
Email: mchang@hbs.edu
Program Finder
Featured Program
General Management Program: Shaping the Future of Outstanding Leaders
Status

Accepting Applications

Date

31 JUL-17 NOV 2023

Format

Blended Combines both in-person and virtual learning.

Location

Virtual, HBS Campus

Move beyond your field of expertise to become an exceptional functional leader who aligns business activities to achieve strategic goals.
Download Download Brochure
Program Finder

As the chief strategy officer of Calik Holding—a multinational, multi-industry conglomerate—Ahmet C. Yildirim is all too familiar with complex business challenges. To fine-tune his problem-solving and decision-making skills, he applied to attend the General Management Program (GMP) at Harvard Business School (HBS). In this interview, Yildirim discusses what he gained from this learning experience, and how it has helped him handle problems that arise, develop corporate strategy, and examine his effectiveness as a leader.

How has GMP changed your mindset as a leader?

Throughout my career, I have led multifunctional teams, faced many challenges, and managed risks in a very competitive and dynamic environment. GMP has given me a more systematic way of handling problems. Because of my exposure to the case studies covered in the program, I have started approaching my own challenges as case studies, and as a result my diagnosis and assessment skills are stronger than ever. I learned how to step back before taking action, and that has enhanced my ability to pick the right strategy on both a qualitative and a quantitative basis.

In your opinion, what is the value of coming to a program like GMP?

Before attending the program, I used to think that inspirational leaders and executives have the natural flair to influence others. I thought it was something they were born with. But now I realize that ordinary leadership skills can be improved and translated into great leadership skills. This multicultural and diverse program helped me develop self-awareness, and self-awareness is priceless.

How has GMP helped you meet your goals and be more successful?

This program has changed my mindset when it comes to approaching problems and adopting changes. For four years, I have been the chief strategy officer and a member of the board at Calik Holding, one of the most remarkable conglomerates in Turkey. This holding company is active in six sectors and more than 20 countries. Given the company's diversification across both industries and geographies, our business environment is very dynamic. It is affected by many threats, opportunities, and uncertainties in terms of the competitive landscape, market conditions, and geopolitical developments. GMP has helped me improve myself as a cross-functional leader and generate quick strategic options through a "diagnose and act" approach.

Featured Program
General Management Program: Shaping the Future of Outstanding Leaders
Status

Accepting Applications

Date

31 JUL-17 NOV 2023

Format

Blended Combines both in-person and virtual learning.

Location

Virtual, HBS Campus

Move beyond your field of expertise to become an exceptional functional leader who aligns business activities to achieve strategic goals.
Download Download Brochure
Need Help? Contact Us:
Ms. Maggie Chang
Program Advisor
Email: mchang@hbs.edu
Program Finder
Featured Program
General Management Program: Shaping the Future of Outstanding Leaders
Status

Accepting Applications

Date

31 JUL-17 NOV 2023

Format

Blended Combines both in-person and virtual learning.

Location

Virtual, HBS Campus

Move beyond your field of expertise to become an exceptional functional leader who aligns business activities to achieve strategic goals.
Download Download Brochure
Program Finder

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