It is the blend of excellent classroom teaching and action learning in real world contexts that sets the Ross School of Business apart from all others. The Ross Leadership Initiative further supplements classroom learning by providing a set of leadership experiences and explorations that enable first-class leadership development during your MBA experience.

The leadership journey begins during the first week on campus. All newly arriving day MBA students engage in a weeklong, action-based immersion learning program for leadership development (the Ross Leadership Initiative - Foundation Session). The Foundation Session sets the tone for the two-year leadership development journey, featuring the following programs.

Foundation Session

This high-energy, six-day orientation session exposes you to the latest thinking about leadership and builds teamwork, creativity, and innovation skills.

Leadership Crisis Challenge

Immersed in a crisis case situation, student teams compete to present a leadership point of view to an audience of various stakeholders. Finalist teams appear before an external corporate board, which will choose a winning team.

MAP Reflection

Individually and in teams, you'll review what you learned about leadership during your MAP experience and articulate strategies for continued leadership development in your career.

Leadership Odyssey

The Leadership Odyssey is a rigorous outdoor program which places students in a hands-on, real-life challenge.  In 2010, the Odyssey use the Florida Keys as the laboratory for exploring a number of immediate leadership lessons.

Self-Leadership Exploratory

This reflection-driven retreat will facilitate an exploration of who you are and what you value at the halfway point of your MBA experience. To excel at leadership requires self-exploration and self-leadership towards goals that matter (in addition to leading others).

Leadership Transition Workshop

This practical workshop closes the MBA experience with a focus on one issue immediately on students’ minds: how to establish leadership in a new position.  A second longer term issue is addressed: how to learn from experience and continue to develop over time.

Leadership Development Program

Exclusively for entering Part-Time MBAs, this two-day program will serve as the foundation of your leadership development while at Ross.

RLI Student Advisory Board

The RLI Student Advisory Board is made up of MBA1s and MBA2s who are passionate about leadership and leadership development.  An application process is announced in the Fall term for membership on this board.

RLI Peer Feedback Program

Obtain feedback from your peers during your MBA program using this online tool. 

Special Presentations

Guest speakers and workshops on special leadership topics