Our executive director, Laith Dajani, features in this month’s Business Eye publication, discussing his new appointment, his move from Lebanon to Belfast and the Clinton Leadership Institute exciting plans for the future.

“This is a top notch organisation with a really strong international profile,” he says. “Queen's University is a sought after brand, and it's a university which has a clear view of what it wants to do in executive education.”

The William J. Clinton Leadership Institute, based in the classic surroundings of Riddel Hall at Stranmillis, has strong ties to the business community here in Northern Ireland, and that's not going to change.

“Our role in business here in Northern Ireland, to develop world class leaders, is a very positive one and it is absolutely central to us,” he says. “We’re also focusing on international markets and international customers, to bring together diversity of experiences and knowledge into our Executive Education programmes to help develop people and contribute to business and society.”

Laith points out that one beneficial effect of the pandemic has been to drive executive learning and management development online...so opening up more worldwide markets for the Clinton Leadership Institute.

“We were quick to flip to a comprehensive online offering and to deliver an alternative delivery channel. The speed of our response was crucial.

“We have been, and we will, be stepping up our international footprint as well as integrating technology innovation into our programmes, moving our game to the next level and competing with the big global players in the executive education field,” Laith adds. “This will helps us here in Northern Ireland, by bringing a global perspective to the work we do for local organisations.

Along with his management team, he's cautiously optimistic that some in-person learning could re-commence at the Riddel Hall campus by late summer, and certainly into the autumn months. The complex is currently being enhanced with the expansion of Queen’s Management School (QMS) through the creation of a new purpose-built teaching facility at Riddel Hall due to open its doors in the autumn of 2022.

“Innovation is a constant for us at the Institute. We're always looking at how we can engage better and at how we can develop products to suit our business customers, whether organisations or individuals.”

The William J. Clinton Institute works with some of the big names of Northern Ireland business, including brand names like Danske Bank, Henderson Group, PwC and Dale Farm.

“We've used the Clinton Institute's leadership programmes for different levels of management in this organisation, developing a bespoke leadership programme complete with its own graduation ceremony,” says Sam Davidson, Director of HR and the Henderson Group. “We liked the way the Institute listened to us and worked alongside us throughout the process.

“We see real benefits in encouraging emerging leaders throughout our business. Our people have to work at the sharp end in a very complex and demanding business so it's important that we support them and get the training and education element of their role right. Our partnership with the William J Clinton Institute is crucial to that.”

Laith believes that leaders have a responsibility to make a positive impact in the world and create value for organizations and the community at large. “Our aim at the Institute is to develop internationally minded leaders by enhancing their self-awareness, and their abilities to motivate and influence individuals, their teams, and their organizations to respect and leverage diversity for the common good and make a positive difference in the world.

“We produce multi-disciplinary programmes for middle and higher level management, both as bespoke programmes tailor made and crafted for organisations and their requirements, or as open programmes, designed for managers and executives across different industries.

“What's important to stress is that we're talking about lifelong learning; learning that can be applied across the generations. Today's managers are much more aware of personal and professional development and they're keen to embrace it. At the Clinton Leadership Institute we've become very adept at is designing and delivering short, intense and impactful experiences in learning’

“The challenge for us right now is to embrace the change that is happening, that is being driven by the global pandemic. Will it ultimately increase the appetite for learning and executive development? We think it will.

“Here at the William J Clinton Institute, we have the means at our disposal to address most training and development needs. And we have the capacity and expertise in research and education of the Management School and broader Queen's University behind us to succeed.”

Read the full article here, scroll to pages 20-23.