#Ashoka #Changemakers #FutureOfBusiness #IKEASocialEntrepreneurship

It is my pleasure to attend this course, and finally get my Certificate of Distinction together with a letter signed by Ashoka’s Founder and CEO, Bill Drayton.

There will be a new edition of the course this end of February. Applications are open until February 16.

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I want to take a moment to reflect on this incredible course, not only to reinforce my own learning but also to spread the word so that more people can benefit from it. This journey has introduced me to new perspectives and valuable lessons that I have already started applying to enhance my leadership skills.

Since this is an online course, you have the flexibility to manage your own schedule. However, there is a set time limit for completion, which I found helpful in maintaining discipline and the commitment we made to ourselves. Without it, I know I might have kept postponing my progress!

You can find more details about the course on its official website. Unfortunately, due to time zone differences, I couldn’t join the live events, but the recorded videos, readings, and discussion forums provided great value. Each module includes a forum for discussion and reflection, allowing participants to share insights and engage with others.

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I took the course during a very busy period, and for the first few weeks, I struggled to keep up. Thankfully, I had some time off during Christmas and New Year, which allowed me to catch up and complete all the required modules before the deadline.

There are many key takeaways, and the course curriculum provides a great summary.

The following topics stood out to me the most, and I plan to write more in-depth reflections on them in the future:

• Social Entrepreneurship & Social Intrapreneurship – Understanding what these terms truly mean and their impact.
• System Change – A concept so important that there’s even a separate course by Ashoka dedicated to it.
• Generative Leadership – This was a true aha moment for me. I had been searching for a leadership style that resonated with me, but I never found the right one—until this course. Since then, I’ve been talking about it with different groups, and I am deeply inspired by this approach.

One of the most powerful aspects of the course was learning about the incredible social entrepreneurs and changemakers worldwide. Their stories and initiatives were truly inspiring, showing how individuals can create meaningful, systemic change.

Who Is This Course For?

You don’t have to be a social entrepreneur or work in the social sector to benefit from this course. It is designed for anyone who wants to think and act as a leader while making a positive contribution to the world. The lessons learned can be applied to everyday life, no matter your profession or background.

A Tip for Staying on Track

If you’re like me and struggle with discipline in self-paced learning, I highly recommend finding a learning partner. I had a colleague—a close sister-like friend—who joined the course with me. We set goals, motivated each other, and shared our progress. In the end, we both “graduated” with distinction (earning 130+ points), receiving a special certificate from the Course Team and a letter signed by Bill Drayton, Ashoka’s Founder and CEO. Now, we’re encouraging more people to join!

If you’re considering this course, I highly recommend it. I hope you take part and find it as valuable as I did! 😊