In October 2024, I had the opportunity to be part of the Woman Transforming Leadership Programme facilitated by Leasil Burrow.
My mission was to broaden my international network from a different field than my own sector, broaden my perspective on working on myself as a person and as a leader, find myself a mentor and know what I want to work on in the future. Next to that, I saw the programme as a retreat. Having full focus on myself, on others around me and on my surroundings without any distractions. I was a bit sceptical on phrases like “life changing or unique experience”. This seemed a little over engineered and far from reality. However, for my goals, I saw this programme as the perfect match to achieve them.
Directly at arriving to Oxford, the sensation began. The city itself looks like something exclusive is happening. I felt the stories amongst the buildings. I walked the same places as some phenomenal people. I visited the places of inspiration for the magical wizarding world (of Harry Potter). I was standing still and just took a moment to realise I was at probably the best and one of the oldest universities of the world.
When the programme started, the realisation came. I am part of Said Business School and Oxford University. Something I could only dream off. We had a great group of people who already were active and connected before the programme. During the days of the programme, time did go very fast. There was deep networking, a diverse programme and a balance of individual and higher goals. I got a lot of value by sharing perspectives with peers. In my opinion it could be even better with a little bit more focus on creative work forms and more direct feedback cycles. We did get pampered all week with great company, useful content, all-inclusive food, goodies, a historical walk and much more. The cherry on top was not to be compared with anything else. The celebration diner was like something out of the movies. What we experienced here is indescribably incredible. It was beyond any of what I could have imagine.
Thank you to everyone involved with preparing this course. They all did a phenomenal job, but what mostly made this so powerful, were all the fantastic woman who joined the course as female leaders from all over the place. We did grow our community naturally with each other. Now, I am one of those persons who is saying: I am thankful I had the privilege of being able to have this life changing experience.
