I had the privilege of being selected for the 2017 Marketing Academy Fellowship Programme and without a doubt it has been a GAME CHANGER.
The opportunities presented throughout this fully funded course are exceptional, a mix of educational sessions through McKinsey and Company experts, peer to peer learning, leadership training, coaching and the most exceptional Mentors. Having access to highly regarded, successful CEO’s, Chairs and NED’s who share their knowledge and experiences is incredible, something that would be difficult to achieve and as a result my network has fundamentally changed and my thinking challenged throughout. On top of that one to one Coaching has been insightful and supportive, leveraging Wisdom8 preferences to guide the sessions.
One of the most amazing aspects is our Cohort. During the selection interviews, it was said that ‘you would make a network of peers who would continue with you on your journey’. Each Fellow is truly inspiring, unique and an experienced professional, 10 different nationalities from 17 different industries. We bonded immediately, (the social programmes helped, not to mention the most amazing setting at McKinsey University in Kitzbuhel, Austria), being able to share experiences and aspirations with peers outside of your daily work is fantastic. I have since met other Fellows from previous years and we all have similar shared experiences.
It is a truly remarkable programme, led and run by remarkable people, I would encourage any CMO or Senior Marketing professional who is considering General Management and a CEO path to apply, you will learn a lot about yourself, new skills (whether it be learning more about Corporate Finance, Strategy, Non Bias based decision making or how to build an igloo or save someone after an avalanche!), become a better leader and have a lot of fun along on the way.
A huge thanks and respect to Sherilyn Shackell, Thomas Barta, Felicity Cumming, McKinsey experts, leadership coaches, mentors, dinner guest speakers and all who give their time voluntarily on our leadership journey.
