Masterclass for female leaders in the German Armed Forces

At the end of November, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management welcomed 16 senior female leaders from the German Armed Forces to its campus. As part of the Executive Education masterclass ‘Women in Leadership’, participants explored ways to strengthen their leadership capabilities and examined the role of effective networks. The programme also created space for exchange and professional connection.

Across a combination of theory and practice, participants first reflected on their individual leadership styles. They then developed practical strategies for their day-to-day roles. Key topics included conflict resolution, collaboration and communication, self-positioning and challenges faced by women in leadership roles. The focus remained on strengthening personal impact and applying insights directly to the workplace. Interactive formats such as the ‘conversation lab’, where real-life scenarios were analysed, supported this transfer. ‘Female empowerment’ was a central theme throughout.

A programme highlight was the keynote ‘Beyond the hamster wheel: authentic female leadership’ by communication trainer Sandra Schauber-Leonhardt. She addressed questions relevant to many leaders, including how to manage mental load, focus on personal strengths and values and build strong professional and personal networks. These ideas were explored further during a closing exchange in an informal setting.