Jul 16, 2025

Strengthening Executives’ Agility in Lead Forward Program

Building on the success of its opening module on Authentic Leadership, KFUPM’s Lead Forward Executive Program continued with a closer look into Strategic Agility. An essential ability for leaders, this skill is needed when steering organizations through uncertainty. Strategic ability helps with navigating disruption, while maintaining performance and progress towards long-term goals even when conditions shift.

Held from May 26th to the 29th, the workshop was once again led by Prof. Steyn Heckroodt and co-designed with Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning to address KFUPM’s specific needs. Through a combination of case-based discussions, group exercises, and live sessions, participants explored how agility is about anticipating change, rather than reacting to it. A highlight of the module was a virtual session with Frank V. Cespedes from Harvard Business School, who emphasized the importance of aligning strategy, execution, and measurable impact.

By challenging leaders to reflect on how purpose and action connect in fast-moving environments, KFUPM continues to build a leadership culture that responds thoughtfully to complexity. The discussions moved beyond theory, prompting participants to explore how they can impact their environments rather than be impacted by them.

Lead Forward is one of the steps implemented as part of KFUPM’s strategic transformation efforts, focusing on the development of senior management. It reflects the university’s ongoing investment in leadership capacity, ensuring that all leaders are equipped not just for today, but for what comes next.