Learning to lead

Although many research managers learn about leadership on the job, the benefits of getting professional training are huge, says Annedorte Vad of Copenhagen Business School.

Annedorte’s top tips

• A masters degree in leadership can raise your profile and open your mind to different ways of working.
• The study is intense, and you must be able to balance it with existing commitments.
• Consider practical issues as well as prestige when choosing a university.
• Think about the design of the course, both in terms of focus and structure.

Two years ago I got a new boss. When I told him about my vision for research support at Copenhagen Business School, he suggested I do a formal degree in leadership. The advantages were twofold: I would gain insights and ideas that I could use to enact change, and the degree would give me a credibility that would make the process easier.