In 2023, I started at Oxford's Saïd Business School, beginning with the Oxford Scenarios Programme led by Rafael Ramirez, and a year later enrolled into Oxford Executive Diploma in Strategy and Innovation. At the beginning I was drawn by the Oxford brand, the allure of old ways and great minds. But eventually I have developed a different kind of emotional relationship with the school and the University. For me Oxford is not just a place of academic rigor; it is a living ecosystem of ideas, relationships, and a profound sense of dignity in these connections. Of course you can find vanity, unspoken tensions or superficiality of fast life, but I’ve felt that in this programme, you can choose, consciously.
There is an immense source for knowledge, personalities and experiences, like rowing the boat with Teddy Hall rowers, tasting scones at the Vaults and Gardens cafe, working at the Bodleian Library, dinners at amazing colleges, intellectual talks with professors and many more. Therefore, if you are open, proactive, curious and have at least a handful of real connections with alumni from your college, this experience will shape you, leaving an indelible mark that defines not just your career but your entire approach to life. One of the most valuable assets has been the network of friends and colleagues I’ve gathered along the way.
My advice: go out and connect outside of your programme or faculty, use immense resources offered by the academia, connect in a smaller group that bonds and create a few projects of your own.
The Oxford Executive Diploma in Strategy and Innovation opened my eyes to the delicate chaotic dance between global markets, contradictory decisions, strategic diplomacy, and innovation. It is a complex web where each thread, no matter how far it stretches, is connected to another, influencing and being influenced in turn. Understanding these interconnections is not just about learning new tools but about developing a global mindset that can navigate and leverage these dynamics for impactful outcomes.
My background in organisational psychology, oriental studies, and military academy uniquely positioned me to explore the programme with a multifaceted perspective. Each discipline brought a distinct lens to the challenges we faced, allowing me to approach problems with both depth and breadth. My expertise in organisational psychology, honed through studies at the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, complemented these perspectives by providing insights into the dynamics of power, authority in large corporations. Throughout case studies it was enriching to see beyond the surface of strategic challenges and to identify the underlying psychological and cultural factors at play. The programme was not just about acquiring new tools - it was about integrating these tools into a holistic understanding of strategic leadership and innovation in a global vortex.
My journey is far from over. It is an ongoing exploration of how to harness the power of diversity, innovation mindsets and contradictions, global dilemmas in large companies and most importantly, how to create meaningful change. And if you share this passion, or are looking for a shake out, then I encourage you to consider applying to this programme. It is more than just an academic experience; it is a life-altering adventure that equips you to navigate and shape the future in a more interesting and dignified ways.
