Overview
Start date: 13th & 14th April 2026
Class times: 09:00 - 16:30
Duration: 3 days
Fees: £2,750
The Programme
Lead change with confidence in a world defined by rapid technological disruption and growing societal division.
Change management is difficult at the best of times. Organisations today are shaped by unprecedented and overlapping social forces that require leaders to adapt quickly to a constantly shifting environment. From artificial intelligence and digital transformation to social movements, evolving employee expectations, and increased scrutiny of leadership decisions, the demands on leaders are greater than ever. Successfully navigating this complexity requires more than agility or vision alone; it requires leaders who understand how change unfolds psychologically, socially, and structurally—and who can mobilise people through uncertainty.
This programme equips leaders with the frameworks, evidence, and practical tools needed to lead change effectively in fast-moving and contested environments. Drawing on cutting-edge research in organisational behaviour, leadership, and social psychology, participants will explore why many change efforts fail, how resistance emerges, and what leaders can do to build commitment rather than compliance. Through case studies, simulations, and applied exercises, you will develop a clear, evidence-based approach to leading change that is both human-centred and results-driven.
The impact
This programme will help you lead change more effectively by situating what we know about effective change leadership in our transforming world. Exploring how people experience uncertainty, loss, and opportunity during periods of transformation, and how leadership behaviour shapes outcomes, you will leave with practical tools for diagnosing change challenges, engaging diverse stakeholders, and translating strategic intent into sustained action. By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the psychological and social dynamics of change, including how individuals and groups respond to disruption, uncertainty, and shifting norms;
- apply evidence-based frameworks to diagnose change challenges and design leadership interventions suited to contexts such as technological transformation, social change, and generational shifts;
- evaluate common change and leadership practices, distinguishing those that reliably support engagement and performance from those that undermine trust or stall progress.
- • lead change initiatives with credibility and influence, communicating a compelling case for change while addressing resistance and maintaining commitment over time.
Programme outline
Session 1: Diagnosing Change: What Kind of Problem Are You Really Solving?
- Make sense of today's overlapping disruptions - technological, social, and generational - and learn to distinguish technical problems from adaptive challenges. Participants develop a diagnostic toolkit to identify why many change efforts stall before they begin.
Session 2: Working with Human Reactions: Emotion, Identity & Resistance
- Understand why resistance is a normal response to change rather than a barrier to it. Explore how identity, loss and uncertainty shape behaviour, and learn how leaders can harness emotional dynamics to build engagement and commitment rather than compliance.
Session 3: Leading in the Real Organisation: Trust, Power, and Informal Influence
- Examine how trust is built, lost, and repaired during change, and how credibility depends on relationships, informal networks, and workplace politics. Participants learn to navigate competing interests and expectations to put change into action.
Session 4: Making Change Stick: From Vision to Coordinated Action
- Move from strategy to implementation by designing change that people actually adopt. Apply evidence-based frameworks to translate vision into coordinated behaviour, create psychological safety and learning, and build adaptive organisations capable of evolving over time.
Your learning environment
You will learn in-person on the highest classroom in Europe on Level 50 of One Canada Square in Canary Wharf, London. You will be taught by academics from the UCL School of Management, the business school of University College London, one of the world’s leading universities. Your peers will be a diverse group of mid-senior level executives from a range of industries, bringing a wealth of different experiences.
UCL’s strong emphasis on research and progressive approach to teaching means your programme will be based on the most up-to-date ideas and best practices in diversity, equality and inclusion. On completing the programme you should feel confident in leading diverse teams, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and fairness throughout your organisation.
Our Faculty
In the latest Research Excellence Framework, 95% of the UCL School of Management’s research was considered world-leading and internationally excellent. Choosing the UCL Leading for Creativity and Innovation programme gives you access to world-leading academics who combine their unique research with real-world practical solutions.
Dr Raina Brands
Dr Raina Brands is a Professor at UCL School of Management. She works with experienced professionals and leaders to strengthen leadership capability, drive organisational change, and activate the informal networks that underpin high performance. She teaches through the combined lenses of organisational behaviour, leadership, and social networks, helping leaders understand how behaviour, relationships and systems interact to accelerate execution and unlock collaboration.
Raina received her MPhil and PhD in Management from Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge and was previously on the faculty at London Business School. Her work has been presented at international conferences, published in top management journals and has garnered wide press coverage.
Dr Felix Danbold
Felix is an Associate Professor at UCL School of Management. He works with organisations to help them understand and address why their efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion often face backlash and fall short of their goals. Felix uses experiential learning to help leaders see how the quirks of human psychology prevent organisations from reaching their full potential.
Felix received his Ph.D. in social psychology from University of California Los Angeles, and was a visiting Assistant Professor at NYU Stern School of Business before joining UCL. His research has been published in top management and psychology journals.
Applications
Who should apply?
This programme is suitable for mid-senior level managers working at organisations in any industry. No prior technical knowledge is required.
What are the entry requirements?
There are no formal entry requirements to our executive education programmes, however, typically our applicants will have:
- a minimum of five years' work experience
- a bachelor's degree or higher
- a good level of English (an English language test is not required for this programme, however, the programme is taught entirely in English without translation, and so you should be comfortable communicating in English.)
How can you apply?
You can apply to the programme by completing our application form which shouldn't take you more than five minutes to complete.
Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by the Executive Education Team who will be in touch to discuss your place on the programme and to arrange payment.
When do applications close?
Applications will close 10 working days prior to the start of the programme.
Fees
Fees for this 2-day programme are £2,750.
For more information on what the programme fee covers, or to discuss your fees, please speak to our Executive Education Team.
Payment
Payment for your place on the programme should be made using a credit/debit card on the UCL Store. You will receive an access code for the UCL Store from the Executive Education Team once your place in the programme is confirmed.
If you would prefer to pay by invoice, please discuss this with the team.
30% Club scholarship
As part of our school-wide dedication to equality, diversity and inclusion, the UCL School of Management is offering two 30% Club scholarship places each year on our executive programmes.
For this programme, a scholarship covering the entire programme fee will be awarded to one eligible individual. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you should select the checkbox “I am applying for the 30% Club Scholarship” during your application.
Learn more about the 30% Club scholarship.
Are corporate partner rates/alumni discounts applicable?
Yes, we do offer discounts for alumni and for some corporate partners. Please contact our Executive Education team to discuss your eligibility mgmt.execed@ucl.ac.uk
Why choose us
As a programme attendee, you’ll benefit from a personalised approach that champions innovation, creativity and cross-disciplinary working.
The UCL School of Management, based in Canary Wharf, London, was recently ranked in the top five of UK business schools by The Guardian, and UCL is consistently ranked in the global top 20 for its academic excellence and research. You’ll be learning from a university that combines cutting-edge thinking with a disruptive spirit, helping you to develop the skills that will allow you to fulfil your potential and achieve real results for your organisation.
FAQs
An English language test is not required for this programme, however, the programme is taught entirely in English without translation, and so you should be comfortable communicating in English.