At Henley, we believe leaders are shaped by the experiences that challenge them — by stepping out of their comfort zones, engaging across cultures, and working with purpose. For the students of our Executive MBA - Global programme, the international immersion trips are designed to do exactly that.
Cultivating Cross-Cultural Leadership
“The Henley EMBA stood out because of its global cohort — people from all backgrounds, industries and cultures. That diversity brings real perspective. And the triple accreditation was the cherry on top.”
Immersed in Purpose: Partnering with The Nal’ibali Trust
As part of the Reputation and Responsibility module of our EMBA, Lauri and his team travelled to South Africa to work with The Nal’ibali Trust, a local NGO promoting literacy through storytelling in local languages. With eleven official languages in South Africa, the organisation’s mission is to ensure every child has access to stories they can truly connect with — fostering both literacy and a lifelong love of reading.
Lauri's team supported Nal’ibali in clarifying their value proposition and addressing internal operational challenges. Through stakeholder interviews and organisational analysis, they delivered a strategy that resonated so strongly, the NGO invited the team to present their findings to their board.
Lessons in Trust, Empathy and Adaptability
The experience wasn’t without its challenges. Communication gaps, cultural nuances, and differing working styles required a great deal of flexibility and patience. At first, progress was slow — building trust with local partners took time and sensitivity. Cultural dynamics meant that directness, often valued in Nordic and European settings, wasn’t always appropriate.
However, once mutual understanding began to grow, collaboration flourished. By approaching the project with openness and respect, trust was established. What began with uncertainty transformed into an effective and meaningful working relationship.
This was a reminder of just how important soft skills are in international leadership: empathy, humility, and the ability to navigate ambiguity were just as critical as any technical expertise.
More than a study trip
“To anyone starting the EMBA, embrace these trips with openness — they’re the moments that change you and make everything else easier afterwards.”
Are you curious about what it’s really like to study for an Executive MBA at Henley?
Join us for an inspiring and informative evening on the 13th of May at our Helsinki campus, designed to give you a first-hand experience of our teaching style, community, and unique approach to personal development.
During this evening, you'll get a real taste of the Henley learning experience with an engaging and thought-provoking EMBA taster session led by Chris Dalton. In addition, you'll hear directly from a panel of our EMBA Global alumni.
