Beyond Winning: The Leadership Mindset
About the Program
In a world shaped by geopolitical and economic disruption, artificial Intelligence, and accelerated change cycles, effective and innovative leadership has become key competency for future success.
The Beyond Winning program equips experienced leaders with proven principles, frameworks, and practical tools drawn from the world of high-performance sports translated into the realities of business.
Over three interactive days at WHU Campus Düsseldorf, participants explore the core elements of sustainable success in both high-performance sports and business. They discover five actionable leadership mindsets, demonstrated through case studies of top athletes such as Dirk Nowitzki, Thomas Müller, and Xabi Alonso, and engage in peer feedback sessions as well as team exercises designed to turn insight into impact.
Program Content
Leadership today requires both short-term wins and sustainable performance culture. Beyond Winning bridges pragmatic leadership with long-term high performance by enabling leaders to experience continuous growth personally, within teams, and across organizations.
Content of program:
- 3 days, interactive, on campus (Düsseldorf)
- Based on the 1M-Model (Success = Talent × Training × Mindset)
- Five actionable leadership mindsets, inspired by Olympic champions and validated through recent business case studies across industries as well as Harvard Business School cases.
- Strengthening resilience and adaptability in high-pressure situations
- Vision-setting and personal leadership identity
- Creating future-ready leadership models in the Future Leadership Lab
Methods: lectures, case studies, peer feedback, mindset stories, simulations, and guest contributions.
Guest speakers: Renowned athletes, entrepreneurs, and executives complement the program with practical insights.
Program Format and Module Dates
This 3-day program runs at WHU Campus Düsseldorf.
- Day 1: Talent & Vision – self-assessment, leadership identity, vision building
- Day 2: Training & Mindsets – resilience, learning from setbacks, using pressure as a driver
- Day 3: Impact & Future – amplifying impact, creating future-proof leadership approaches in the Future Leadership Lab
Module Dates
Program Benefits
- Gain a deep understanding of the core elements of sustainable high-performance leadership
- Learn five proven mindsets to thrive in demanding contexts
- Reflect on your leadership style and strengthen authenticity
- Enhance resilience by learning to manage setbacks and pressure
- Develop future-proof strategies based on megatrends and elite sports principles
- Expand your peer network across industries and functions
Upon completion, you will be awarded a WHU Executive Education Certificate, a recognized mark of your commitment to growth, leadership, and lifelong learning, issued by one of Europe’s top business schools.
Participant Profile
- Experienced leaders (C-1) responsible for cross-functional and/or international teams
- Senior managers preparing for C-level roles
- Executives seeking to enhance leadership impact in high-performance contexts
- Leaders with around 10 years of leadership experience, ready to expand their mindset toolkit
Join Prof. Sascha L. Schmidt, Dr. Michael Ilgner, and Kerstin Forword for a live look inside WHU’s new executive program, Beyond Winning: The Leadership Mindset.
What to expect:
- Hear how the program connects high-performance sports and leadership development
- Get an overview of the 3-day learning journey and the key topics explored
- Ask your questions directly during a live Q&A
Speakers:
- Dr. Michael Ilgner – Founder & CEO, One May Group
- Prof. Sascha L. Schmidt – Chair Holder and Director, WHU Center for Sports and Management
- Kerstin Forword – Project Manager, WHU Center for Sports and Management
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