
Design-Thinking and Emotional Intelligence
How do we combine Design-Thinking methods with the basics of Emotional Intelligence in order to lead and communicate more effectively, identify problems, and come up with creative solutions in a constantly changing business environment?

Track | Executive |
Instructor | Tomáš Klvaňa |
Date | February 19-20, 2021 |
Format | Two-day workshop |
Delivery | On Campus |
Price | 13,490 CZK |
Language | English |
CPD Hours | 12 |

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Course Description
Design-Thinking is a simple, intuitive and powerful method based on empathy and a creative approach to problem solving. It’s a non-linear, iterative process, suitable for leadership/management, project design, product creation and implementation of new processes in organizations. It helps teams understand users and each other, challenge assumptions, redefine problems and create innovative solutions.
Emotional Intelligence (your EQ) is the level of your ability to understand your own and the emotions of others, their motivations, and how to respond effectively, rather than reactively. Studies have shown that 85% of a person’s success can be attributed to EQ, and only 15% to IQ.
In tandem, Design-Thinking and the mastery of the basics of Emotional Intelligence become a powerful tool in the hands of leaders and managers, on all levels.
The course is divided into several theoretical and practical parts, and based on expertise and literature in the fields of social and organizational psychology and emotional intelligence (Daniel Goleman, Amy Edmondson, George Kohlrieser, et al.). The course emphasizes exercises, application and model situations.
Learning Outcomes
- Introduce DT as key variable in leadership
- Help leaders use and apply insights from relevant research in practical management and leadership
- Demonstrate how the new style of management can lead to higher productivity and competitiveness of teams, units and companies
- Increase understanding of team dynamics
Methodology
The workshop combines lecture sessions, discussions, model exercises and tests. It uses methods of design-thinking, and a combination of in-class learning, with interaction between participants and the lecturer, with work on a modern online platform which supplements classes and enables cooperation between individuals and teams.
Schedule and Course Content
For a detailed course schedule and content, please download the Course Outline.
Default course delivery is on campus. If on campus courses are not feasible due to government restrictions, this course will be delivered online. For all courses that take place on a Friday and Saturday, online modes will take place the following week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. One-day courses that take place on a Friday will be delivered online the following Monday and Tuesday.
Day 1 Outline
Morning Session (3 hours)
- Introduction to Design-Thinking
- Introduction to Emotional Intelligence
Afternoon Session (3 hours)
- Model exercise in design-thinking
- Model exercise in emotional intelligence
- Mindfulness for business and leadership
- Lessons from Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Focused Discussion
Day 2 Outline
Morning Session (3 hours)
- Leadership theories (ret. US gen. Stanley McChrystal; Jim Collins)
- Leading from a secure base
- Case study (Pixar)
- Quiz
Afternoon Session (3 hours)
- Case study (designing leadership for an organization)
- Subject/Object interviewing
- S/O interviewing model exercise
- Focused Discussion
- Course Review
Materials & Lunch Break
Handouts will be provided at the start of class. Lunch will be provided for all participants at Café des Taxis.
Your Instructor
AAU Academy Instructor, Executive and Personal Advancement Courses
Senior International Management Consultant
Dr. Klvaňa was a Shorenstein Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University (2003). In 2012 he received the Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Dr. Klvaňa served as the Press Spokesperson and Policy Adviser for President of the Czech Republic, Special Government Envoy for Communications of the Missile Defense Program, and between 2005 and 2010 he worked in various CSR and Regulatory Management functions with British American Tobacco in London, Hamburg, Prague and Brussels. He is also a co-founder of the Aspen Institute Prague.He holds a Ph. D. from the University of Minnesota in the U.S. (1997) and an M. A. from Charles University in the Czech Republic. Currently, he is a senior international management consultant and a leadership coach, and an instructor at the AAU Academy. He is a co-founder and managing partner of a Singapore-based start-up, Extend My Runway.
See what our students have to say
We do almost all of our projects in small international teams, and we work together like we would in a business company and synergize our different ideas. There's flexibilities to meet with teachers outside of class, and ask them questions, not just specifically things we learn in the class.

Business Administration, United States of America
AAU makes networking incredibly easy to do. I was able to participate in various events that don't necessarily connect to my coursework like conferences, literature festivals, debates, lectures, etc. When I was President of the Diplomatic Club, AAU helped me get in touch with event-organizers, which, for example, allowed us to host an event during the Festival of Democracy organized by the famous Forum 2000 conference.

Business Administration, Russian Federation
Meet the people


Eva Rivera, Ph.D.
Vice-President for Institutional Advancement eva.rivera@aauni.eduDo you have questions?
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