Rethinking Leadership: WHU Executive MBA Students on a Trip to India

The participants of the KW27 cohort of the Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA program spent ten intensive days in India in March 2025. Together with Professor Yuval Kalish, Chairholder of the WHU Chair of Leadership, Networks, and Organizations, and Professor Jürgen Weigand, Academic Director of the Kellogg-WHU EMBA program, they explored new perspectives on leadership in a meaningful way, while discovering truly exceptional places. 

The trip offered striking contrasts — from the bustling metropolis of Delhi to the serene mountain town of Dharamsala, participants gained new leadership insights while also experiencing mindfulness, solitude, and self-reflection in awe-inspiring surroundings. Morning yoga practice, in-depth discussions, and peer coaching sessions enabled participants to consciously step back from daily routines and gain fresh perspectives.

“I feel truly grateful for the opportunity to have facilitated this incredible leadership journey through India with a group of amazing, supportive, and unique executives, along with my colleague Jürgen Weigand for Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA,” said Professor Yuval Kalish at the end of the trip. “It was a genuine pleasure to work together with each and every one of [the people on the trip].”

Participants took away far more than just fresh insights into their professional lives. Along the journey, they asked themselves crucial questions about their values, responsibilities, and personal mindset - topics that are becoming increasingly relevant for leaders in a complex and interconnected world.

The trip to India is a core element of the integrative concept of the Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA. The goal is not just to deepen business expertise, but to empower executives to evolve their leadership mindset in a global, value-driven, and future-oriented way.