Next course start: 30 March 2026
Application deadline: 15 February 2026, Application
Online information events:
Duration: 2 semesters
Academic degree:
ECTS credit points: 29
Course language: English and German
Participation fee: EUR 9960 (VAT-free) including course materials and drinks during breaks
Locations: TU Graz, Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Vienna), Theresian Military Academy (MILAK Wiener Neustadt), and online
Number of participants: max. 20
The digital economy is in need of smart leadership. The new “Mindful Leadership” university course will turn participants into active shapers of the future! Develop your critical power skills and learn the methods and processes needed to motivate yourself and inspire your teams. Strengthen your ability to remain resilient and keep up your positive energy in the face of challenges and recognise the strengths of mindful communication and engagement. Learn to use this mindfulness to shape future success and lead your teams successfully through transformations.
The university course is structured into four focus areas:
All modules related to this university course can also be booked individually depending on availability.
This interdisciplinary module gives leaders the tools and knowledge they need to take responsible action in dynamic, technology-driven environments. The module focuses on modern leadership approaches, self-reflection, group dynamics, and decision-making under stress. Furthermore, practical insights into regulatory frameworks and virtual reality training support the development of leadership and crisis management skills.
This focus area includes the following modules:
Module I: Applied Leadership Behaviour in the Digital Transformation
Module II: Designing Open and Closed Business Ecosystems
Module III: Decision-Making in Action – Operational Training with Virtual Reality
This module is designed to strengthen entrepreneurial thinking and strategic negotiation skills. The module focuses on developing an entrepreneurial mindset with creativity, a focus on users, and agile approaches such as lean startup and design research. Participants develop innovative business models and develop their knowledge and skills regarding negotiations, digital tools and AI-supported decision-making through practical didactics approaches such as role-playing and simulation exercises.
This focus area includes the following modules:
Module I: Negotiations: An Introduction to the Art and Science of Negotiations
Module II: Entrepreneurial Mindset: Curiosity, Creativity and User-Centred Design
This module combines mindfulness, creativity and strategic future design. It focuses on a mindful leadership style that strengthens self-leadership, resilience and empathy. Through storytelling, theatre methods and face-to-face training, participants develop their impact skills and shape corporate cultures based on trust. They also learn the fundamentals of futurology, analyse megatrends and develop future scenarios using AI tools and visualisation techniques.
This focus area includes the following modules:
Module I: The Building Blocks of Mindful Leadership
Module II: Storytelling and Storythinking – Drivers of a Sustainable Innovation Culture
Module III: People and the Future: The Connection between Appreciation and Responsibility
Module IV: Presence & Impact –Convincing Analogue Performance in a Digital World
This module strengthens future skills, innovation capabilities and strategic thinking. The module focuses on megatrends, creative future scenarios and the use of AI and visual communication technologies. Participants deepen their knowledge of innovation ecosystems, standardisation, intellectual property and AI-supported marketing and PR. The goal is to develop sustainable business models and establish a strong position in the global innovation environment.
This focus area includes the following modules:
Module I: Fundamentals of Futurology and Creative Design of Future Visions
Module II: International Innovation Ecosystems
Module III: Standardisation to Strengthen Competitiveness and Innovation
Module IV: Intellectual Property in Business and Innovation
Module V: PR & Media Relations in Practice
Module VI: Sales, Marketing, Business & Generative AI
Each module consists of three stages: an online stage, an in-person stage and a transfer stage.
Forms of teaching and learning used:
Flipped classroom, active learning, linguistic methods in future studies, communication methods from art education in modern theatre, integration of teaching methods from globally successful innovation ecosystems, and much more.
This university course is aimed at a broad spectrum of professionals and managers from all sectors who want to actively address the challenges that come with digital and sustainable transformation and contribute to achieving a prosperous society through mindful team leadership.
There are no specific entry requirements for this university course.
The decision on admission to the university course is made by the academic manager responsible.
The skills acquired with this university course can be particularly effective in areas related to leadership, innovation and transformation:
Institute of General Management and Organisation
Kopernikusgasse 24/IV
8010 Graz
www.ufo.tugraz.at
Stefan Vorbach
Univ.-Prof. DI Dr.techn.
Tel.: +43 316 873 7500
stefan.vorbach @tugraz.at
Gabriel Diakowski, Die Geschichte unserer Zukunft
Ludovit GARZIK, Innovationorbit
Daniel GAWLOWSKI, Dein Auftritt
Johannes GETTINGER, WU Wien; Gettinger Consulting e.U.
Karl Grün, Austrian Standards
Stefan HARASEK, Österreichisches Patentamt
Preeti KHEMANI, Infineon Technologies
Hans-Georg MAYER, punktgenau.PR GmbH
Eddi NUDEL, Monday.com
Simone RACK, in scope GmbH
Tina REITMEIER, WU Wien; Alles Clara
Martin SCHWANDA, Martin Schwanda
Elisabeth STAUDEGGER, Institut für Rechtswissenschaftliche Grundlagen, Uni Graz
Stefan VORBACH, Institut für Unternehmensführung und Organisation, TU Graz
Please send your completed application form by e-mail or post to:
TU Graz
Life Long Learning
FAO Dr. Helmut Aschbacher
Stremayrgasse 16
8010 Graz
lifelong.learning @tugraz.at
Helmut ASCHBACHER
Dr.
TU Graz Life Long Learning
Phone: +43 316 873 4943
helmut.aschbacher @tugraz.at