The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Executive MBA: Leading with Purpose program includes a visit to Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum. This trip enables MBA candidates to draw leadership insights from art history.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’s (VU Amsterdam) Executive MBA: Leading with Purpose uniquely teaches leadership lessons through a class visit to the Rijksmuseum. Dr. Svetlana Khapova, a Full Professor of Careers and Organisation Studies, highlights a key question that the program asks its participants: “Why should anyone be led by you?” (00:02)
The answer is deeply tied to a student’s culture and history, requiring them to draw on their life story. This link between future leadership and past experiences is why VU brings its EMBA candidates to Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum.
The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands that houses a vast array of artworks, most notably paintings from the Dutch Golden Age (1575-1675). It features masterpieces by many famous Dutch painters, such as Rembrandt and Vermeer.
From The Threatened Swan by Jan Asselijn to Valentinus Taken Prisoner by Otto van Veen, the artwork on display serves as a teaching tool. The VU Amsterdam’s Executive MBA program makes use of the rich collection to impart leadership lessons.
Professor Khapova highlights that the experiential element of the museum visit is highly important. “Teaching leadership is actually very difficult. How do you teach leadership? You need to engage with participants in experiences.” (01:04)
Visiting a museum is an enriching opportunity to learn about leadership in an unconventional yet profound way. Amidst the halls of history and art, each piece can offer insights into the moral dilemmas and societal values of different eras.
The on-site experience creates an engaging platform for reflection and dialogue among participants. What kind of leaders would they like to be? What legacy would they like to leave behind? (00:47)
By examining these stories, one can gain a broader understanding of responsible leadership.
The artworks transform abstract theories into tangible representations of various leadership concepts. MBA candidates can then actively reflect on and discuss what leading with purpose means to them.
“Not only the beauty of it, but the history and the knowledge are all the lessons that we can get from this rich collection. That is very valuable,” Professor Khapova says. (01:35)
Moreover, the excursion to the museum offers a delightful break from the conventional classroom setting. This visit infuses the learning experience with a sense of enjoyment and exploration.
Rembrandt’s The Night Watch (1692) is a colossal oil painting prominently displayed in the Rijksmuseum. The masterpiece is renowned for its dynamic composition and masterful use of light. Through its portrayal of a 17th-century militia led by Captain Frans Banninck Cocq, the work offers an insightful lesson in leadership. It embodies the essence of teamwork and highlights the significance of individual roles within a collective effort.
In the artwork, Rembrandt skillfully highlights each figure as distinct yet integral to the group’s harmony. This reflects a key leadership principle: recognizing and leveraging each team member’s unique strengths and abilities.
Furthermore, the painting’s depiction of coordinated action among the guards brings out the important role of collaboration. It suggests that successful leadership involves fostering an environment of active participation and contribution from all members.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’s Executive MBA: Leading with Purpose goes beyond conventional classroom learning. It offers rich, immersive experiences that deepen the understanding of leadership. The lessons gleaned from the Rijksmuseum offer a unique perspective, urging participants to meld cultural heritage with their professional growth.
Professor Khapova notes the visit is a stand-out experience among students. “They remember this after graduation. They remember being in the Rijksmuseum talking about ethics, talking about leadership. If this also helps them in a moment of complex decision making, to make the right decision, I think this mission is accomplished.” (02:10)
VU Amsterdam’s Executive MBA empowers business leaders to discover their purpose and drive meaningful change by building better businesses. It equips graduates with the insights and confidence to answer that crucial question: “Why should anyone be led by you?”
For more insights about the Executive MBA and other programs, reach out to a VU Amsterdam ambassador.
