Executive Certificate in Leadership and People Management Series

Emerging Leaders Acceleration Programme

Programme Length

8 Days (4 modules, 2 days each)

Programme Fee

HK$52,000 (entire programme)
HK$13,000 (per module)

HK$46,800 for enrolment in all four modules

Medium of Instruction

English

Delivery Approach

Face-to-face

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

The transition from individual contributor to leader is one of the most critical and challenging career shifts.

The Emerging Leader Acceleration Programme is designed to fast-track this transition. As part of the Executive Certificate in Leadership and People Management Series, it is a practice-driven development journey that equips new and aspiring managers with the mindset, skills, and confidence to step into leadership roles effectively — while avoiding common first-time manager pitfalls.

Delivered over four focused modules, this hands-on programme builds essential capabilities in leading people, driving performance, and building trust in today’s dynamic workplace. Participants engage in interactive sessions, structured practice, simulations, peer learning, and guided reflection to ensure immediate workplace application and sustained behavioural change.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

  • Taking up the leadership challenge in the age of uncertainty and ambiguity
  • Becoming a better version of yourself and realising the potential of teams
  • Leading through inspiring communication and excelling in relationship management

What Makes This Programme Different

  • Delivered by HKU faculty and experienced industry practitioners, integrating academic rigor with real-world relevance
  • Highly practical and application-focused, featuring real-world case discussions and small-group simulations
  • Actionable leadership frameworks for immediate workplace application
  • Structured reflection at the end of each day to reinforce behavioural commitments and accelerate learning transfer

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, participants will leave not only with a stronger understanding of leadership, but also with practical tools and behavioural strategies to lead with confidence and impact:

  • Transition confidently and effectively into leadership roles
  • Build trust and credibility with their teams
  • Communicate with clarity and influence
  • Navigate negotiations and manage conflict effectively
  • Drive accountability and team performance
  • Lead with greater self-awareness, composure, and influence

SCHEDULE AND VENUE

Dates

Module 1Building Leadership Foundations11 – 12 September 202609:30-17:00
Module 2Fostering a High-Performing Team Environment18 – 19 September 202609:30-17:00
Module 3Communicating with Impact9 – 10 October 202609:30-17:00
Module 4Managing Conflict and Sustaining Performance16 – 17 October 202609:30-17:00

Venue

HKU Business School

Participants will receive detailed venue information upon successful enrolment.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Key Learnings

Module 1:

Building Leadership Foundations

Participants will explore:

  • Common new manager traps and how to avoid them
  • Leadership identity and mindset shift
  • Effective delegation
  • Building trust and credibility
  • Cultivating self-awareness and exploring different leadership styles
  • Developing a strong and authentic personal leadership brand

Module 2:

Fostering a High-Performing Team Environment

This module focuses on:

  • What drives team performance
  • Building psychological safety in practice
  • Motivating and engaging team members
  • Establishing team norms and standards
  • Managing virtual and hybrid teams
  • Leading diverse teams
  • Developing a growth-oriented team culture

Module 3:

Communicating with Impact

Participants will develop the skills to:

  • Use structured communication frameworks
  • Practice active listening and empathy
  • Influence without authority
  • Give constructive and developmental feedback
  • Handle difficult conversations
  • Choose the right communication medium
  • Shift from directing to coaching

Module 4:

Managing Conflict and Sustaining Performance

This module covers:

  • Effective negotiation
  • Resolving workplace disputes
  • Performance management fundamentals
  • Managing underperformance
  • Leading during high-stakes situations
  • Stakeholder management and cross-team collaboration

Teaching Format

The learning approach combines:

  • Faculty-led interactive sessions
  • Practitioner insights
  • Small-group simulations
  • Peer feedback
  • Guided reflection exercises

Each day will conclude with structured reflection and interactive wrap-up to consolidate learning and define behavioural commitments. 

Completion of the Programme

  • Participants are required to achieve a minimum attendance of 75% to be considered for the completion of the programme (across all four modules).
  • Participants will be awarded a certificate upon successful completion of all four modules.
  • All modules are non-credit bearing.

FACULTY PROFILES

Prof. Roy Liang TAN

Professor of Practice in Management and Strategy
Programme Director of Customised Programme for Executive Education
HKU Business School

Prof. Roy Liang Tan is Professor of Practice in Management and Strategy at the HKU Business School and Programme Director for Customised Programmes, Executive Education. He brings over two decades of global corporate leadership experience, including serving as Global Chief Executive of Alibaba University and Chief of Staff for GE’s Corporate University in Greater China, where he led large-scale leadership development, strategic initiatives, and organisational transformation. Drawing on this extensive experience, Prof. Tan teaches and advises on leadership transformation, organisational strategy, and cross-cultural management across MBA, EMBA, and executive education programmes.

View full faculty profile here.

Prof. David Lee

Associate Professor of Teaching
BBA (Law) & LLB Programme Director
HKU Business School

Prof. David S. Lee is an award-winning faculty member at the HKU Business School, holding a J.D. from UCLA School of Law, graduate degrees from Harvard University and the London School of Economics, and postgraduate training at Cambridge University. He combines extensive academic expertise with practical experience in investment management (beginning at Goldman Sachs), law, consulting, and entrepreneurial ventures. Prof. Lee teaches across undergraduate, MBA, EMBA, and executive education programmes in ethics, fintech, leadership, and corporate governance. He is co-author of Asia’s first business ethics textbook and co-instructor of a pioneering MOOC on FinTech ethics, with his work regularly featured in global media and academic outlets.

View full faculty profile here.

Prof. Kian Siong Tey

Assistant Professor in Management and Strategy
HKU Business School

Prof. Kian Siong Tey is Assistant Professor in Management and Strategy at the HKU Business School. He holds a PhD in Management from INSEAD and specialises in conflict, negotiation, and communication in organisational settings. His work explores how differences in values and perceptions influence decision-making, and he brings evidence-based insights to help leaders navigate disagreement, build alignment, and make sound judgments in complex environments.

View full faculty profile here.

Ms. Siru Heino

Siru Heino is an experienced executive coach and facilitator with nearly two decades of leadership experience, having led multicultural teams and driven strategic initiatives across global markets. She partners with leaders to strengthen authenticity, resilience, and impact through practical, insight-driven coaching.

Ms. Ekaterina Aleksandrova

Ekaterina Aleksandrova spent over 20 years at McKinsey & Company, holding senior leadership roles across Asia-Pacific and globally, including Director of Global Learning and Director of People Operations for APAC. She now brings her deep organisational expertise and coaching experience to guide leaders through transitions, strengthen resilience and communication, and drive sustained performance.

Past Student Experiences

Cultivating new batch of emerging leaders

Engaging discussion in the programme

Lecture conducted by Professor Roy TAN

FEES AND FUNDING

Full programme fee:

Standard fee: HK$52,000
Discounted fee: HK$46,800 (for enrolment in all four modules)

The fee includes a Welcome Lunch on Day 1 of Module 1.

Modular fee: 

HK$13,000 per participant (per module)

Discounts*

TypeDiscountEligibility
Full ProgrammeDiscounted fee of HK$46,800Enrol in all four modules.
Early Bird10%Registration submitted by 30 June 2026.
Group15%Minimum of three participants from the same organisation registering for the programme.
HKU Alumni and Staff20%Please indicate your alumni status in your registration, and we will advise and confirm on your eligibility.

*Only one type of discount can be applied per enrollment. The discount cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions, discounts or offers. In the event of a dispute, provision of the discount(s) is subject to the sole discretion and final decision of HKU Business School.

Deferment Policy

  1. Participants may defer their participation in the programme for a maximum of one year only.
  2. If a participant wishes to defer, they must provide an official statement in English detailing the situation and reason for deferral. This will be reviewed by our faculty office, which will determine whether the deferral request is approved.
  3. Administrative fees may apply to deferment applications.

CONTACT

Ms. Rachelle CHENG

Phone: +852 3910 2197
Email: rachel0c@hku.hk

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