“It’s possible to change” – on the Power of the Executive MBA Programme

Olga Hansson, Executive Vice President IT at Occlutech AB, graduated from the Gothenburg Executive MBA programme in 2019. The lessons learned from the programme characterize her leadership, and she particularly emphasises the profound personal development it fostered. “To be a good leader, you must understand yourself,” she says.

From 2017 to 2019, Olga Hansson participated in the Executive MBA programme at the School of Business, Economics and Law in Gothenburg. Her ambition was to develop as a leader and become better at navigating a large organization like Volvo Cars, where she worked at the time. The programmeled to a continued career at the company and assignments with increasing responsibilities. When the covid pandemic hit, her leadership was put to the test.

“Covid changed everything. I had to lead colleagues in China, the US, Sweden, and other countries remotely. Then I benefited greatly from the knowledge and tools from the programme, and was able to demonstrate that you can lead and achieve a well-functioning collaboration even when working 100 percent digitally. I spent a lot of time coaching my team, showing genuine care, and reinforcing that we would succeed as a team. That built trust, and we were able to deliver results.”

Courage to Take on a New Challenge
Since April 2024, Olga Hansson is the Executive Vice President IT at Occlutech AB, a medical technology company with around 300 employees, specialising in implants for treating heart conditions. She believes the programme boosted her self-confidence, which in turn contributed to her daring to take on the new assignment.

“I’ve long been intrigued by the medtech industry. Initially, I hesitated because of the title and the responsibility. But then I told myself, ‘Just go for it,’ and accepted the role.”

Personal Development as a Foundation for Leadership
According to Olga Hansson, the key to successful leadership lies in understanding and having the courage to question yourself, to acknowledge your fears and comprehend their roots.

“The most significant outcome of the Executive MBA programme was that I came to understand myself so much better – and realised that it is actually possible to change both perspectives and habits. Regardless of position in the hierarchy, we all have our fears and personal challenges. These affect how you behave and thus how well you perform as a leader. That’s why it’s also crucial to dare to take the steps needed to ensure your own wellbeing, even if those steps are drastic.”

Additionally, the programme had an impact on Olga Hansson’s decision-making.

“I became more reflective and much more confident in my decision-making. I stopped worrying about various consequences. But it’s not about being fast or relying solely on my own views. On the contrary, I now discuss with others and listen a lot more.”

A Unique Bond of Trust
Everyone admitted to the Executive MBA programme brings several years of working life and leadership experience. According to Olga Hansson, this is vital for one’s own understanding, your take-aways from the programme and for the exchange within the group.

“You learn an incredible amount from one another. At the same time, you build a network that’s unlike anything else. We’re still in touch, nearly six years after graduation. There’s a special trust in the group. I can always call someone if I want to discuss a situation and how to handle it.”

An Investment That Pays Off
The Executive MBA programme consists of 21 modules. Olga Hansson especially remembers the leadership modules. Mainly because of the insights she gained about herself, and about how success in leadership often depends on simple factors. At the same time, she highlights the importance of being sincere.

“To get the most out of the programme, and especially the leadership modules, you need to fully commit and really absorb what the lecturers convey. That requires honesty, both with yourself and with your fellow participants, as well as a willingness to change. The setup is well-structured and makes you grow with the task. In addition, you get a lot of support and help from both lecturers and peers. With the right mindset, you really can’t fail. The programme is an investment that pays off, both in your leadership and in your personal growth.”

Olga Hansson

For more information on the Gothenburg Executive MBA programme, visit www.guexed.com or contact:

Håkan Ericson, Senior Associate Business Development Director,
GU Executive Education
hakan.ericson@handels.gu.se, +46 709 50 63 35

Henrik Schröder, CEO,
GU Executive Education
henrik.schroder@handels.gu.se, +46 705 16 76 55