‘Leadership development is not always about becoming someone else; sometimes it is about understanding who you already are as a leader.’

Ilie Gurbulea - Head of Investment Products at UniCredit Bank

A different perspective on leadership

Throughout his career, Ilie has learned most of his leadership lessons through experience, challenges and working alongside inspiring colleagues. Participating in the masterclass Leadership Essentials at the Amsterdam Business School gave him the opportunity to explore leadership from a different perspective.
‘I was curious to understand how leadership is viewed from an academic perspective and to learn from the experiences of other professionals facing similar challenges.’

An engaging and practical experience

Ilie describes his experience at Amsterdam Business School as highly engaging, practical and interactive. Rather than focusing solely on theory, the programme created space for active participation and reflection.
‘The masterclass encouraged self-reflection, discussion and experiential learning, creating an environment where participants could learn both from the faculty and from one another.’

Understanding your strengths and behaviours

For Ilie, one of the most valuable insights was that leadership development does not necessarily mean changing who you are. It can also be about developing a deeper understanding of your existing strengths and behaviours.
‘Leadership development is not always about becoming someone else; sometimes it is about gaining a better understanding of who you already are as a leader.’
The programme encouraged him to reflect on his strengths, blind spots, communication style and the impact he has on others. Ilie sees this awareness as directly applicable to his daily work through more intentional leadership, better listening and more conscious interactions with colleagues and stakeholders.

Learning from different perspectives

The combination of practical exercises, participant case studies and the diversity of perspectives in the classroom stood out most.
‘The lecturers brought different but complementary approaches, and the discussions with fellow participants often generated some of the most meaningful insights. Learning from professionals across industries and backgrounds added an additional dimension to the experience.’One of his key takeaways was recognising how universal many leadership challenges are, regardless of industry, function or level of seniority.
‘The exchange of experiences and participant case studies produced some of the richest learning moments.’

Approaching the programme with openness

For professionals considering the Leadership Essentials masterclass, Ilie recommends approaching the experience with curiosity and openness.
‘The value lies not only in the content itself but also in the opportunity to reflect on your own leadership style and learn from the experiences of others. It is particularly valuable for professionals who are looking for perspective rather than a traditional classroom experience.’