Across boardrooms worldwide, the definition of effective leadership is undergoing a fundamental shift. According to multiple global CEO surveys by organisations such as PwC, McKinsey and the World Economic Forum, more than two-thirds of business leaders believe their organisations will not remain economically viable in the next decade without significant transformation driven by technology and artificial intelligence. Yet, many also admit that while the intent to transform is high, execution remains the weakest link.
This growing gap between ambition and outcomes has placed unprecedented expectations on CEOs and COOs. Modern boards are increasingly looking for leaders who can connect technology with strategy and governance with growth. Global risk reports consistently rank cyber risk, regulatory uncertainty and climate impact among the top threats to business continuity, making it essential for CEOs and COOs to integrate corporate governance, cybersecurity, sustainability and risk management into core decision-making rather than treating them as standalone functions.
In this new reality, the most sought-after CEOs and COOs are those equipped to lead through complexity. They must balance innovation with control, speed with resilience, and global ambition with local accountability. As businesses across the globe grapple with rapid technological disruption, artificial intelligence, and rising stakeholder expectations, leadership at the very top is being redefined. Recognising this shift, the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) has launched two premier leadership programmes aimed at preparing next-generation CEOs and COOs to lead confidently in today’s tech-driven economy:
1. IIM Kozhikode CEO Programme | Executive Leadership & AI
This programme equips current and aspiring CEOs with the capabilities required to lead at scale in a high-stakes, technology-driven environment. Participants sharpen core CEO essentials – from financial strategy, supply chain resilience and brand leadership to the practical application of AI and GenAI across the enterprise. Beyond fundamentals, the programme builds decisive leadership muscles through advanced skills in negotiation, conflict resolution, crisis management and global market strategy.
The Programme is designed to help leaders:
Master financial, supply chain, and risk management to drive resilient, high-performance organisations
Build market leadership through strategic brand and digital strategies for sustainable, cross-border growth
Lead digital transformation, innovation, and cybersecurity to strengthen enterprise competitiveness
Leverage AI to accelerate innovation, automation, and data-driven strategic decision-making
Duration: 11 Months | Fee: INR 7,02,000 + GST
2. IIM Kozhikode Chief Operations Officer Programme | Live Online COO Course
Designed for aspiring and newly appointed COOs, as well as senior operations leaders, The programme sharpens C-suite leadership skills focused on enterprise-wide execution, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration, while offering opportunities to strengthen strategic decision-making and build meaningful relationships with influential peers. Participants emerge prepared to lead resilient operations, accelerate innovation, and support sustainable growth in complex, fast-changing business environments.
The Programme is designed to help leaders:
Lead enterprise initiatives aligned with corporate strategy as a trusted C-suite partner
Build the leadership and managerial depth required to step confidently into the COO role
Drive value-chain innovation and measurable bottom-line impact through strategic technology investments
Create agile competitive advantage by rapidly adopting and scaling new technologies
Optimise processes using analytics and digital tools to improve efficiency and performance
“At the C-suite level, leadership today is no longer just about experience. It is about adaptability, technology fluency, and the ability to make high-impact decisions in uncertain environments,” said a senior academic leader at IIM Kozhikode. “Our programmes are structured to equip CEOs and COOs with the mindset, tools, and global perspective needed to lead organisations through continuous disruption.”
Adding a global dimension to the learning experience, the programmes offer international exposure through collaboration with Kellogg Executive Education. This partnership brings global best practices, cross-cultural perspectives, and exposure to international leadership frameworks, enabling participants to benchmark their thinking against global standards. The international component also helps leaders better navigate global markets, regulatory environments, and complex stakeholder ecosystems.
With this initiative, IIM Kozhikode reinforces its position as a leading institution shaping future-ready leadership for India and the world. As organisations navigate an era defined by AI, digital acceleration, and heightened accountability, the need for well-rounded, globally informed, and technologically fluent C-suite leaders has never been greater, and IIM Kozhikode is stepping forward to meet that need.