Design Thinking for Leaders
Hero Carousel
Start date
21 January 2026
Duration
Two-day course (16 hours)
Learning mode
Face to face on campus
Overview
Harness the power of design thinking to lead innovation, solve complex challenges, and deliver creative solutions with measurable impact. This executive two-day course equips senior leaders with practical frameworks to foster innovation, improve decision-making, and build a human-centred approach to strategy and change.
Through immersive, hands-on sessions, you’ll learn how to apply design thinking principles to real organisational challenges, turning insights into actionable strategies that create value for customers, teams, and stakeholders.
Cost
- On Campus: £3,000
Fees include course materials, refreshments, and access to post-course resources.
Course fees are based on face-to-face delivery at one of our London campuses. Group discounts are available for bookings of more than five participants in both the UK and internationally. We also offer customised programmes tailored to organisational needs. Please contact us to discuss group rates or bespoke training options.
Delivery
This course is delivered in-person, for the duration of two days (21st and 28th January).
Why choose UEL?
UEL’s Royal Docks School of Business and Law empowers leaders to combine creativity, critical thinking, and strategy. Drawing on design-led innovation practices and industry engagement, this course supports UEL’s Vision 2028 by preparing leaders to navigate complex challenges with agility and purpose. Participants receive a UEL Digital Badge recognising their capability in applying design thinking for organisational innovation and leadership.
Entry requirements
No formal entry requirements. Anyone working in or interested in marketing, business leadership, or digital strategy who wants to understand and use AI tools is welcome to register.
What you'll learn
Day 1 - Foundations and Opportunity Exploration
- The principles and mindset of design thinking
- Understanding user needs and mapping experiences
- Problem framing and opportunity identification
- Generating creative, high-impact ideas
Day 2 - Prototyping, Testing, and Implementation
- Experimentation techniques
- Feedback loops and iterative design
- Embedding innovation in leadership and culture
- Translating ideas into actionable business solutions
How you'll learn
Your learning experience will be delivered through a dynamic blend of teaching methods designed to support professional growth and applied practice. You will engage in a combination of lectures, seminars and interactive workshops, complemented by presentations, case study analysis and collaborative group work. Learning will also be supported through guided independent study, digital learning resources, discussion forums and opportunities for peer-to-peer knowledge exchange. Industry insights and real-world problem-solving activities will further enhance your understanding and ensure that theory is consistently linked to current professional practice. This integrated approach offers a rich and engaging CPD experience aligned with contemporary industry expectations.
Your future career
Equipping yourself with design thinking skills empowers your future career as an innovative leader and strategist. By mastering human-centred approaches, you’ll be able to identify hidden opportunities, drive creative problem-solving, and lead transformative change in your organisation. Senior leaders who apply design thinking frameworks stand out for their ability to foster collaboration, deliver practical solutions, and create measurable value for stakeholders. As businesses seek agile, empathetic decision-makers, these skills position you for high-impact roles, enhance your leadership brand, and open pathways to shape strategy, guide teams, and deliver sustained innovation in today’s rapidly evolving environment.
Job roles
After completing this course, you’ll be ready to step into different roles, including: Senior Manager, Marketing Manager, Strategy Leader.
Explore other short courses
Looking to build more skills or try something new? Browse our full range of short courses.