The St.Gallen Personal Development Program
The St.Gallen Personal Development Program (PDP) challenges executives to look beyond job titles and instead reflect on their personal journey as leaders. This shift in perspective is a cornerstone of the emba X experience at the University of St.Gallen.
This interview with Wayne Kern, an emba X graduate, explores how he experienced profound growth both personally and professionally. Let’s take a look at six ways the PDP transformed Wayne’s leadership style and approach forever.
1. It Shifts Your Perspective on Growth
Wayne recalls how transformative the mindset change was: “It takes you from your actual position and puts you…in a helicopter view.” (00:34)
Rather than focusing solely on immediate outcomes or performance, participants explore how they’ve grown, what motivates them, and where they’re headed next. Participants learn from their own educational journey while also learning from the development of their peers.
This broader view enables leaders to reassess not only how they lead but why they lead. It’s a recalibration of purpose that goes deeper than management training. It understands the person behind the professional. For many, like Wayne, this reflective journey becomes one of the most valuable and lasting takeaways of the entire program.
2. It Combines Neuroscience With Business Coaching
One of the most distinctive features of the St.Gallen PDP is its integration of scientific research into the coaching process. Through the emba X partnership with ETH Zurich, participants gain insight into the neurological and psychological dimensions of leadership.
Wayne highlights this as a defining element, “You get some scientific research topics [on] what actually happens in your brain when you react to some things. You can really think about how your reaction is and how your personal feelings are in very special situations.” (00:55)
This evidence-based approach moves beyond traditional leadership theory. It helps participants understand the why behind their behavior. They learn what triggers certain reactions and how to reframe those patterns for more effective leadership. Combining brain science with business equips leaders to make more thoughtful decisions.
3. It Builds Self-Awareness Through Structured Reflection
Self-awareness is central to effective leadership, and the PDP makes it a structured, ongoing practice. From the very beginning of the program, participants complete tools like the Leadership Circle Profile to spark personal insight and track growth over time.
Wayne explains, “The self-assessment in the PDP lays the foundation of your reflection within the 18 months, on how you develop, how you have been in the past, what was your situation, why you did something, and how you should actually react.” (02:01)
These tools are not meant to provide a one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, it provides “lenses” for participants to interpret their behaviors and leadership style. The emphasis is not on right or wrong, but on patterns, tendencies, and choices. This guided reflection is a compass for growth, enabling executives to lead with greater intention and clarity.
4. It Offers Peer Insights From Seasoned Executives
In the St.Gallen PDP, feedback comes from coaches, faculty, and experienced peers who are committed to growth. Peer-to-peer coaching is a key feature of the program. It provides honest, outside-in perspectives that can be hard to access in corporate environments.
Wayne points out the value of this structure, “It’s also other senior executives that do the peer-to-peer coaching…[this is] fully independent by very special, very trained and senior executives.” (02:35) These are not colleagues, but fellow emba X participants with diverse professional backgrounds and extensive experience.
Removed from internal hierarchies, peer coaches offer unbiased reflections that enhance learning. This format helps participants see how others perceive them and opens up new ways to develop, adapt, and lead more effectively.
5. It Provides Ongoing Faculty and Coaching Support
The St.Gallen PDP provides a continuous support system woven throughout the entire emba X journey. Dedicated coaches, expert faculty, and a clear structure keep personal growth front and center.
Wayne explains how the layered support works: “Firstly, you get your own profile. Secondly, you get your profile mentioned by the actual peers you have in your work. Third, you get coaching by your side, which is extremely useful. And fourth, it gives you this scientific background which [is] repeated all the time.” (04:23)
He adds that faculty members remain very accessible throughout the program. “All the faculty members, if ever you have an issue, they have open doors if you want to go even deeper on a topic.” (04:45)
This level of engagement means participants are never left to navigate their development alone. Instead, they receive coaching and support every step of the way.
6. It Creates Lifelong Bonds and Trusted Networks
Beyond the skills and insights, one of the most enduring outcomes of the St.Gallen PDP is the deep personal connections. These relationships become a powerful support system that extends far beyond graduation.
Wayne shares how these bonds have lasted: “There are people now [that] I got to know during the program [that] I can call, I can ask, and I can be super open with. There are no secrets I have to hide, there’s no hierarchical topic I need to avoid, because these people went through the same program, speak the same language, and many of them did a similar journey that I did.” (06:27)
He recalls a recent example, “Just last weekend we had a very good friend of the cohort here. We discussed all Saturday on a board about my questions, my problems [that] I have, and he helped me a lot.” (06:53)
This kind of peer network offers lasting value both professionally and personally, long after the emba X program ends.
Ready to Start Your Own Leadership Journey?
The St.Gallen Personal Development Program is for professionals who are serious about evolving. If you’re considering an executive MBA that prioritizes reflection and meaningful growth, the emba X program could be for you.
Explore St.Gallen programs and connect with our student ambassadors to hear firsthand about their experiences at this unique institution.
Want to study the emba X at St.Gallen? Take our eligibility quiz to see if you qualify!
