EMBA Global: Breaking out of your comfort zone is a personal choice

Henley’s EMBA Global is reshaping Giuseppe Chiorazzo’s understanding of international business thanks to its global focus, diverse multinational cohorts and variety of study destinations.

It took Italian-born marketing executive Giuseppe Chiorazzo five years of intense reflection before choosing Henley’s flagship Executive MBA Global programme. The factor that sealed the deal was the conviction that he was missing a crucial global business perspective in his work – and that Henley’s EMBA Global could bridge this gap.

Giuseppe, a business consultant, and guest lecturer at Hanken University, who has taken a sabbatical to fully immerse himself in the EMBA programme, says that a global perspective is not a luxury but a necessity for leaders in business today, especially in the digital era where everything is interconnected.

"A global outlook is needed to help us to break out of the silos and “bubbles” in which we are inclined to operate," he says.

"And while operating in such a bubble may seem like a safe bet, it really isn’t a great idea. It is like being on autopilot. Fine until you hit turbulence. The reality is that until you break out of your bubble and expose yourself to difference, the only voice you will hear is your own, and that will weaken your business decision-making."

With its international syllabus and multinational cohorts, Henley’s EMBA Global programme stood out from the pack when he was searching for the right EMBA.

‘There is so much competition between business schools in Europe. There are a lot of them out there, and at first glance their offerings seem similar, so I had to narrow down my search criteria. In the Nordic countries – I am based in Helsinki, Finland – Henley really stands out because of the global nature of this degree, and because that is so important to me, Henley was the perfect choice.’

Six months into the programme, he says it is delivering on his expectations.

‘The opportunity to learn alongside other senior peers from different parts of the world is a great fit for me. My cohort includes students from the Nordics, the UK, South Africa and Asia.’

The EMBA Global also includes five international study immersions where students get to experience other cultures and different ways of doing business. ‘Being exposed to people who live and operate in these different countries is fundamental.’

In December 2024, all students of the EMBA Global from South Africa, UK and the Nordics gathered in Helsinki for their 3-day Managing People workshop.

For Giuseppe, breaking out of the bubble comes down to personal choice.

‘You can choose to approach an EMBA in a business-as-usual fashion, but if you want to leave your comfort zone and make every opportunity the Global MBA presents count, the impact on you and your development can be immense.’

THE QUICK Q&A

1. What is your passion – in business and in life?
   My passion is to conjugate both these facets of life. For the longest time I viewed them in separate silos but something about that didn’t sit right with me. For me it’s important to get to a place where the two spheres intersect as far as possible to create harmony and a sense of purpose (ikigai). You need to create space – head space and in your environment – to see things differently
   
   
2. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
   Be more present. Don’t rush into things. The enthusiasm of youth is a great thing, but it cannot be left completely unleashed. I would encourage a bit more self-reflection, too.
   
   
3. What is the last good book you read, and what made it resonate with you?
   I recently read music producer Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way of Being, which is filled with life lessons and focuses on the path of an artist and how it is a road we can all follow. I am not an artist nor am I a musician but this book, which explores the creative process, spoke to me on a deep level. It so moved me that I bought a couple of extra copies to distribute to my friends.
   
   
4. What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
   I can’t remember who it was who gave me this advice, but it goes something like this: Be careful who you take advice from and don’t take it too seriously, especially when you are young and on the receiving end of vast amounts of unsolicited advice.
   
   
5. What advice would you give prospective EMBA Global students?
   Space for introspection, for reflection, is very important when considering whether or not to pursue an EMBA. You need to consider how this qualification will contribute to your development. Think about the sacrifices it will ask of you and your family and how you plan to navigate that. Think about how willing you are to put yourself into the game. Think about how willing you are to listen to other people. But don’t think about the EMBA only in terms of the name of the degree, the certification. It is much more than that.

On top of his EMBA studies, Giuseppe has also been recently selected as a member of the Finnish alumni board. 

Finnish Alumni board 2025

The next EMBA Global international group begins their 2-year journey in October 2025. Read more from the programme page »