UNITAR equips Bank Islam leaders to lead change and strengthen teams through 15-month programme

The UNITAR x INSEAD Accelerated Talent Development Programme (High Impact Leadership) comprised 11 sessions, with face-to-face modules delivered between April 2025 and July 2026. It combined leadership development and group executive coaching with a two-day INSEAD Leadership Experience in Singapore.

Participants represented functions including retail banking, credit management, compliance, risk management, human resources, legal and secretarial, and operations. They included senior managers, heads of functions, and a senior vice president, bringing different organisational perspectives to the learning experience.

A closing ceremony with certificate presentations to the participants was held on 22 October at UNITAR International University. The event also featured a sharing session by a programme coach, while participants highlighted lessons from the programme and how these were being applied at work.

Timothy Johnson, chief commercial officer of UNITAR Education Group, said continued professional development remained essential for experienced leaders as their responsibilities and workplace demands evolved.

“Making time for a 15-month programme while managing demanding leadership responsibilities takes commitment, and I commend the participants for investing in their development. This programme gave them opportunities to reflect on how they lead, learn from colleagues across different functions and explore approaches they can apply at work. We are proud to have supported their journey,” he said.

Professor Anil Gaba, Professor of Decision Sciences, INSEAD, a partner in the initiative, highlighted the value of creating space for experienced leaders to reflect and learn.

“Experienced leaders benefit from opportunities to step back from their daily responsibilities, question familiar approaches, and consider different perspectives. Through the INSEAD Leadership Experience in Singapore, we are pleased to contribute to the participants’ development. We prepare and equip them to return to their roles with fresh insights and greater confidence to navigate change, make thoughtful decisions, and help their teams and organisation grow,” he said.

The programme covered change management, social impact, stakeholder management and customer centricity. Group executive coaching encouraged participants to strengthen self-awareness, build relationships and improve their leadership effectiveness.

Sessions on generative AI explored its implications for senior leadership, while spiritual values and psychological safety reinforced the importance of integrity and respect for people. Industry sharing and networking provided further opportunities to exchange perspectives.

Ahdan Shariff Bin Muhammad, senior vice president, Group Retail Banking, Bank Islam, a participant in the programme, said he had broadened his understanding of leadership and strengthened his approach to leading people through change.

“The programme has been an enriching and eye-opening experience. It reinforced the importance of trust and communication and reminded me that leadership is also about inspiring others, empowering teams and creating a positive impact. Among the lessons I am putting into practice are using AI in my day-to-day work, creating a safe working environment for my team, and improving how I manage stakeholders,” he said.

Fellow participant Nur Fathmawati Zakaria, Head of Internet & Mobile, Group Operations, Bank Islam, described the programme as a rich and remarkable learning experience that encouraged reflection on both her leadership approach and personal development.

“The programme challenged me not only as a leader, but also as a person. It made me reflect deeply on my behaviour, assumptions, decision-making processes and how I influence others. It taught me that leadership is not only about delivering results, but also about understanding key stakeholders, bosses and peers, building trust and enabling others to succeed,” she said.

She identified Optimising Results and Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Leadership as the modules that had the greatest impact on her.

“Optimising Results reinforced the importance of consistent delivery, strategic alignment and clarity of purpose in helping a team work towards shared objectives. The artificial intelligence module helped me learn how to craft more effective prompts,” she added.

Programme coach Faizah Bazid commended the participants for their commitment throughout the learning journey.

“Executive coaching encourages leaders to reflect on how their values shape their leadership and relationships with others. The participants deserve recognition for their perseverance and willingness to grow.

“I hope they carry forward the value of pausing and reflecting, captured in the Italian expression ‘dolce far niente’, or ‘the sweetness of doing nothing’, alongside the importance of acknowledging others and making them feel seen and valued. Putting these lessons into practice can help them build stronger relationships, support their teams and improve how they work together,” she said.

The programme connected personal reflection with practical leadership challenges, encouraging participants to translate their learning into workplace improvements and stronger teams. Learning alongside colleagues from different functions also provided opportunities to understand competing priorities and strengthen collaboration across the bank.

For UNITAR, the collaboration reflects its commitment to education that supports professional growth at every career stage. By connecting leadership learning with workplace responsibilities, the programme illustrates how continued development can help experienced professionals remain relevant and contribute more effectively to their organisations.

Also present at the event was Dr Jagdeep Singh Jassel, Executive Director, Continuing Professional Education of UNITAR Education Group.