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TU Graz/ Education/ Degree and Certificate Programmes/ Continuing Education/

Mindful Leadership

Stand up and motivate your team. See the bigger picture and inspire ideas. Focus on your goal and provide balance in challenging times.Take the lead and lead the way!

This interdisciplinary university course focuses on practical knowledge and innovative leadership approaches fit for a connected and dynamic world.
Authentic lecturers promote cultural learning beyond traditional didactics – perfect for leaders who want to shape change and strategically anchor innovation.

Dates and Deadlines

 

Online information events:

Quick Facts

Duration: 2 semesters

Academic degree:

  • Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) from TU Graz
  • If only individual modules are completed: Microcredential worth 1–5 ECTS credit points
  • Without (successful) completion of the examination: Certificate of participation from TU Graz

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.

Contents

The university course is structured into four focus areas:

  • Techno-Economic Aspects of Leadership in Digital Ecosystems
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
  • Mindfulness & Arts Topics
  • International & Interdisciplinary Topics

All modules related to this university course can also be booked individually depending on availability.

Techno-Economic Aspects of Leadership in Digital Ecosystems

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

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

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

Mindfulness & Arts Topics

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

International & Interdisciplinary Topics

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

Forms of teaching and learning

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.

Cooperation with WU Vienna and Innovationorbit

Target groups and admission requirements

Target groups

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.

 

Admission requirements

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.

Benefits and advantages

How can mindful leadership benefit you?

  • Mindfulness and engagement give you the tools you need to accelerate transformation processes.
  • Communication and trust foster a positive team atmosphere.
  • Focus and prioritisation steer your team’s energy.
  • New tools and processes expand your expertise – from generative AI to rapid prototyping.

 

Fields of work

The skills acquired with this university course can be particularly effective in areas related to leadership, innovation and transformation:

  • Corporate leadership and management
  • Change management and transformation
  • Innovation and technology management
  • Human resources and personnel development
  • Business consulting and coaching
  • Entrepreneurship and startups
  • Communications and media
  • Public sector and NGOs

Application and contacts

Academic management

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.vorbachnoSpam@tugraz.at

Lecturers

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

Application

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.learningnoSpam@tugraz.at

Contact

Helmut ASCHBACHER
Dr.
TU Graz Life Long Learning
Phone: +43 316 873 4943
helmut.aschbachernoSpam@tugraz.at