College of Charleston EMBA Delivers Measurable Leadership Growth
Research conducted with Wisdom Works shows significant leadership gains among students in the inaugural Executive MBA cohort.
Above: Executive MBA students take a break during an on-campus session. (Photo by Peter Finger)
The College of Charleston Executive MBA (EMBA), in partnership with Wisdom Works Group, has released research findings about the program’s inaugural cohort, showing measurable improvements in leadership effectiveness among students.
The findings spotlight a distinctive aspect of the 18-month EMBA program experience: personalized executive coaching. Drawing on 360-degree assessments, self-reported data and executive coach observations, the research evaluated how participants’ leadership behaviors and effectiveness changed throughout the program.
External assessments from participants, colleagues, customers, bosses and direct reports showed clear improvement in how these leaders are experienced by others, including a 12-point increase in leadership effectiveness, a 20.8-point increase in leadership potential utilization and a 16.7-point increase in the ability to balance people and performance.
“Our program was intentionally designed for working professionals who continue to work full-time while they are in the program,” says Ron Magnuson, program director. “What distinguishes this program is its focus on helping participants become more productive, effective and successful leaders within their organizations in real time. These results show that approach is working, with measurable gains in how our participants lead, make decisions and are experienced by others.”
The research also identified growth in areas related to the ability to flourish at life and work – including energizing others, engagement at work, emotional capacity and life satisfaction. Overall, EMBA students developed greater self-awareness and more effective and intentional leadership behaviors as they navigated professional and personal demands.
“Leadership development should be measured by more than what people know; it should be reflected in how they show up, make decisions and positively influence others,” says Wisdom Works CEO Renee Moorefield. “These findings show that when executives intentionally build the inner capacity to thrive alongside their leadership capabilities, they create meaningful change that others can see and experience. That’s the kind of leadership organizations need to navigate today’s complexity.”
About the EMBA Program at the College of Charleston
The College’s Executive MBA is a hybrid program designed to help working professionals build the skills needed to advance into executive roles while balancing the demands of their careers. For more information about the College of Charleston Executive MBA program, visit go.charleston.edu/emba.
Located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a nationally recognized, public liberal arts and sciences university. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. Its beautiful and historic campus, combined with contemporary facilities, cutting-edge programs and accessible faculty, attracts students from across the U.S. and around the world.
About Wisdom Works
Wisdom Works was founded in 1999 with a clear mission to make thriving the standard of effective, sustainable leadership. The social enterprise works with companies worldwide, empowering brands, work cultures and leaders to embrace and advance human flourishing. To accelerate impact within organizations, Wisdom Works draws on its core brand, Be Well Lead Well®, a science-based platform of wellbeing leadership assessments, bespoke programs and culture-change resources, backed by a growing network of practitioners around the globe. Demonstrating the belief that every company, large and small, can be an engine of wellbeing, Wisdom Works donates 1% of its gross revenues to inspiring causes that promote positive social change.
