Enrol in Not An MBA 2027
Not An MBA returns for two cohorts for 2027, in February and August.
Start your year with a bang, or escape the winter blues.
COHORT 1
February 2027
9 February - 6 April
Dates
Learning sprints start Tuesday 9 February. Curriculum and community access go live in January. There is no sprint on 30 March (Easter.)
Times
All learning sprints run on Tuesdays from 10am - 1pm NZ time on Zoom.
Workload
5-8 hours per week.
Cost
NZ$5,999 (+GST for NZ students.)
Enrolment closes 24 January or when the intake is full. Maximum 35 people.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
🤘🏼 Eight live learning sprints, three hours each, with Alicia and your cohort.
A copy of You Don’t Need An MBA, posted to you.
Tools and templates you can use at work straight away.
Fun, frank video lessons to watch before each sprint.
Eight practical assignments, with peer feedback from your cohort.
A private online community, with access for three months after the course.
A graduation certificate, when all eight assignments are in.
Week by week
Here’s an indication of what you’ll learn each week on Not An MBA. Note that every Not An MBA journey is a little different, tailored to the needs of each cohort. Each week includes video lessons, a book chapter, a learning sprint, and a practical assignment.
-
PERSPECTIVE
In week one, explore how assumptions and ideas are formed and embedded in our identities, organisations, and society - and consider what it means to challenge the status quo.
-
FLEXIBILITY
Our context is largely made of externalities and events outside of our control. It also determines much of our work and lives. In week two, consider change responses and explore personal and collective responsibility.
-
DECISIONS
Decisions are about how we think – not what. In week three, learn foundational strategy principles and consider how to make decisions that align to big-picture purpose and values.
-
SYSTEMS I
In complex systems, problems present as people issues – but are often symptoms of environmental settings and power dynamics. In week four, go beyond people leadership and learn to interrogate systems.
-
SYSTEMS II
Systems leaders create enabling environments. Intervening in a complex system uses different levers and approaches than people management. In week five, learn to reshape defaults and enhance connection points.
-
INFLUENCE
Influence scales ideas. In week six, consider what makes an influential leader and how to align character and narrative with reputation. Learn to navigate different contexts and relationships and build trust for impact.
-
PERFORMANCE
Navigating the transition into senior leadership successfully means retiring old skills and rising to new challenges. This week, consider how to bring flexibility to your strengths and weaknesses and channel focus.
-
SHOWCASE
Every opportunity to speak is an opportunity to lead. This week, students present their leadership movement, journey, or manifesto to the group and commit to ongoing reflective practice.
“Fabulous return on investment. naMBA delivers the goods without the fluff that padded out my university MBA papers… Be prepared to be blown away.”
Robin Rutter Baumann
Operations Manager, Te Whatu Ora Te Tai O Poutini
COHORT 2
August 2027
3 August - 21 September
Dates
Learning sprints start Tuesday 3 August. Curriculum and community access go live in July.
Times
All learning sprints run on Tuesdays from 10am - 1pm NZ time on Zoom.
Workload
5-8 hours per week.
Cost
NZ$5,999 (+GST for NZ students.)
Enrolment closes 18 July or when the intake is full. Maximum 35 people.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
🤘🏼 Eight live learning sprints, three hours each, with Alicia and your cohort.
A copy of You Don’t Need An MBA, posted to you.
Tools and templates you can use at work straight away.
Fun, frank video lessons to watch before each sprint.
Eight practical assignments, with peer feedback from your cohort.
A private online community, with access for three months after the course.
A graduation certificate, when all eight assignments are in.
Week by week
Here’s an indication of what you’ll learn each week on Not An MBA. Note that every Not An MBA journey is a little different, tailored to the needs of each cohort. Each week includes video lessons, a book chapter, a learning sprint, and a practical assignment.
-
PERSPECTIVE
In week one, explore how assumptions and ideas are formed and embedded in our identities, organisations, and society - and consider what it means to challenge the status quo.
-
FLEXIBILITY
Our context is largely made of externalities and events outside of our control. It also determines much of our work and lives. In week two, consider change responses and explore personal and collective responsibility.
-
DECISIONS
Decisions are about how we think – not what. In week three, learn foundational strategy principles and consider how to make decisions that align to big-picture purpose and values.
-
SYSTEMS I
In complex systems, problems present as people issues – but are often symptoms of environmental settings and power dynamics. In week four, go beyond people leadership and learn to interrogate systems.
-
SYSTEMS II
Systems leaders create enabling environments. Intervening in a complex system uses different levers and approaches than people management. In week five, learn to reshape defaults and enhance connection points.
-
INFLUENCE
Influence scales ideas. In week six, consider what makes an influential leader and how to align character and narrative with reputation. Learn to navigate different contexts and relationships and build trust for impact.
-
PERFORMANCE
Navigating the transition into senior leadership successfully means retiring old skills and rising to new challenges. This week, consider how to bring flexibility to your strengths and weaknesses and channel focus.
-
SHOWCASE
Every opportunity to speak is an opportunity to lead. This week, students present their leadership movement, journey, or manifesto to the group and commit to ongoing reflective practice.
“Highly practical, applied learning that has an immediate impact on your everyday working and personal life.
It has been amazing to be part of the naMBA journey and learn alongside the inspiring Alicia and our group of diverse sector leaders. I feel energised and hopeful for the future.
Not An MBA has given me tools I can apply, built my confidence, and helped me get clear on my priorities and how I want to show up with others.”
Naomi Craymer
Auckland Urban Development Office
Enrol now
Secure your spot in a 2027 cohort of Not An MBA.
We invoice you before the course starts and can work with purchase orders. Three-month payment plans are available by arrangement.
Enrolling a team? You can enrol up to six people from the same organisation into one cohort. Email us for a bulk invoice
More questions? Try the FAQs or download the 2027 syllabus.
Need help with your PD request? Download a helpful email template to send to your manager.