NEXT-GEN LEADERSHIP BEGINS HERE AT BITS PILANI

Program Snapshot:

This 6-month flagship Leadership Certificate Program by BITS Pilani is designed to empower senior high-potential professionals with the mindset, tools, and capabilities to step confidently into leadership roles. Blending cutting-edge theory, insights from eminent business leaders, and hands-on experiential learning, the program fosters leadership that is reflective, resilient, and ready for tomorrow.

Your 6-Month Transformational Journey:

Over six intensive months, participants will::
- Engage in immersive leadership modules rooted in real-world business challenges
- Learn from top faculty and industry trailblazers through interactive masterclasses and guest sessions
- Participate in action learning projects, peer learning forums, and reflective exercises
- Evolve personally and professionally through a curated leadership growth path

Graduates Gain:

A Certificate in Leadership from BITS Pilani, a globally respected institute
Access to the BITS Pilani Alumni Network, joining a legacy of distinguished leaders
Enhanced strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and change management skills
Preparedness for senior leadership roles in dynamic, fast-evolving organizations

What is Unique about the Program

Curated Peer Group

Small cohort of 30 participants ensures personalized learning and rich peer interactions.

Learn from Industry Leaders

Senior Industry Practitioners share real-world experiences through live, interactive sessions.

Hybrid Learning Journey

Online classes complemented by an immersive experience at BITS Pilani, Goa Campus.

Capstone with Expert Guidance

Undertake a hands-on project mentored by Industry Veterans and Senior Professors.

Continued Growth Support

Receive mentoring and career support even after program completion.

Practice-driven Andragogy

Engage with customized simulations and cases tailored to real-world challenges.

Who is eligible to apply :

Emerging leaders looking at developing their leadership trajectory to ascend in the organizations
High potential managers with 5-20 years of experience intent at discovering the leader within
Motivated middle to senior level professionals in Manufacturing, Services, Healthcare, Media, Technology, FMCG, Retail and other prominent sectors motivated to pursue leadership opportunities

Program Structure

Encourage participants to identify real organizational challenges they care about—such as being stuck in the middle, low morale in the team, lack of recognition, resistance to change, organizational politics, etc.—and reflect on how they could address them.

Challenge: An experienced manager is promoted but struggles with decision-making at a new strategic level. How should they adapt their leadership style?

A. Leadership Theories : Trait Theory, Behavioral Theories, Managerial Grid (Blake & Mouton), Situational Leadership (Hersey & Blanchard), Transformational Leadership (Bass), Servant Leadership (Greenleaf)
B. Mindset Development : Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset
C. Strategic Leadership Styles : Goleman’s Six Leadership Styles (Visionary, Coaching, Affiliative, Democratic, Pacesetting, Commanding)
D. Mindset Shifts : From “Doer” to “Enabler”; Managing up and across the organization
E. High-Potential Assessment : Hogan’s HiPo Model (Foundations, Emergence, Effectiveness)

Challenge: A middle manager faces resistance when proposing a strategic initiative. How can he/she communicate effectively to gain buy-in?..

A. Develop conflict resolution skills : conflict Resolution Styles (Thomas- Kilmann Model
B. Influence Tactics : Cialdini’s Principles of Persuasion
C. Creating Psychological Safety : (Edmondson)
D. Having difficult conversations : Difficult Conversations Framework (Stone, Patton & Heen)
E. Trust Equation : (Maister, Green, Galford); Build trust through effective communication.

Challenge: A team underperforms due to lack of trust and accountability How should the manager intervene?

A. Team dynamics : Tuckman’s Team Development Model
B. Dynamics of a high- performance team : Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team; Belbin’s 9 Team Roles
C. Enhancing collaboration and motivation within the team : Psychological Safety; Building team contracts and norms; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Management

Challenge: An FMCG firm faces a disruptive market entry by a D2C digital- native competitor.What strategic response should the firm consider?.

A. Develop forward-looking, adaptive thinking : Strategic Agility (Doz & Kosonen), Sensemaking (Weick)
B. Apply advanced strategic frameworks

Challenge: A company struggles with employee pushback against digital transformation. How should you as a leader address concerns and drive adoption?.

A. Being a change agent : Change management models (ADKAR/Kotter/Lewin)
B. How to change things when change is hard

Challenge: A manager believes that his company is not doing enough in business innovation. How should he catalyse innovation?

A. Disruptive Innovation : Disruptive Innovation
B. Dynamic Capabilities : Developing the ability to integrate, build, and reconfigure resources
C. Diffusion of Innovations : Leadership challenge in managing the chasm.
D. Design Thinking for innovation :
E. Innovation diffusion and culture building
F. Ambidextrous leadership : Tushman and O’Reilly

Challenge: A high-potential manager faces resistance from senior leaders when trying to implement a strategic change. How should he navigate the politics?.

A. Navigate organizational dynamics and power structures : French & Raven’s Bases of Power
B. Influence without authority
C. Handling workplace politics ethically
D. Self Assessment : Political Skill Inventory
E. Stakeholder Mapping and Management/RACI
F. Managing upwards and across functions

Challenge: A mid-level manager aspires to a senior leadership role but struggles with executive visibility.How should he work on his action plan for career advancement?y.

A. Build a personal leadership brand : Personal Leadership Brand, Career Mapping
B. Leverage networking for career growth
C. Balance professional and personal development : Work-Life Balance
D. Ram Charan’s Pipeline management theory

Presentation to Senior Industry Leaders + Feedback Session

Alignment of personal leadership plan with organizational KPIs

Note : "Sessions would be held on Saturdays"

Course Fee:

Rs. 2,00,000 + GST

Important Dates:

Application portal opens : 15^thJune 2025
Application portal closes : 30^th September, 2025
Intimation of selection : 03^rd October, 2025
Fee payment and registration : 05^th October, 2025
Program start date : 11^th October 2025
Program end date : 4^th April 2026

Program Director:

Prof. Parag Rastogi

Associate Professor, Management Department, Engineering from BITS, Pilani and MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur with over 30 years of Industry experience in senior positions with organizations like Times Group, Dalmia Bharat Group, Walmart, Accenture Group and Marico.

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Program Fees