What does it take to be a great leader? Adaptability? Grit? While these qualities certainly matter, the leadership traits shaping the future go far beyond traditional definitions. In 2025, there are demands for a new kind of skillset, one that includes emotional intelligence, technological and AI literacy, and analytical thinking.
Knowing what makes a good leader is one thing, but developing those skills is another. It takes the right guidance, strategy, and environment. ESCP Business School understands this well. Embracing a uniquely European approach to management and purpose-driven leadership, the school’s comprehensive programmes and forward-thinking research nurture multicultural and interdisciplinary business leaders who are passionate about making a real difference in the world.
ESCP’s multi-campus model creates a one-of-a-kind experience that merges academic excellence with cultural immersion. Source: ESCP Business School
The signature ESCP experience
Founded in 1819, ESCP is the world’s oldest business school. But its age is only part of the story. Its educational model, rooted in humanism and multiculturalism, has placed it among the top five business schools in Europe. With this legacy and vision, the school prepares 11,000 students and over 6,000 managers to succeed in a changing world every year.
From day one, ESCP has brought people and perspectives together. With campuses in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin, and Warsaw, it offers something rare: the chance to experience Europe from the inside out.
“The highlights of my time at ESCP so far have been the incredible opportunity to immerse myself in new cultures and the privilege of living in multiple European cities,” shares Mariaelena Arnedo, an American Bachelor in Management student. “Experiencing different ways of life, from the vibrant streets of Madrid to London’s charms, has not only broadened my horizons but also deepened my appreciation for cultural diversity.”
Walk into any ESCP classroom and you’ll find the world. Students from 136 countries come together to learn, connect, and grow. What’s more, all students are required to study on at least two campuses before graduating to develop perspective, empathy, and global awareness.
“When I joined ESCP, I had limited international exposure and wasn’t quite sure what to expect,” says Jad Khairallah, a Master in Management student from Lebanon. “However, within days, I had made friends from over seven different countries, and never once did I feel out of place. You learn just as much from your diverse classmates as you do from the school’s world-class faculty.”
Outside the classroom, Khairallah threw himself into ESCP’s active student life. He helped nonprofits through 180 Degrees Consulting ESCP and shared his Lebanese culture and cuisine as part of ESCP Liban, the Lebanese student society. This kind of engagement is encouraged, as ESCP believes that what happens outside the classroom is just as important as what happens inside in shaping students into well-rounded professionals.
This multicultural spirit follows ESCP students long after they’ve left the classroom. Upon graduation, students join 85,000+ ESCP alumni active in over 200 countries in the world.
AI is now fundamental in modern businesses, and at ESCP, students are equipped with the strategic insights necessary to leverage it effectively. Source: ESCP Business School
Business education for a new era
ESCP is embracing multiculturalism just as much as it’s moving forward with an approach built for a rapidly changing world. As global challenges and advancements in technology continue to reshape industries, the school is reimagining business education, pushing the boundaries of leadership, and empowering students to become confident, creative, and accountable leaders.
This vision is most evident in ESCP’s integration of AI. “At ESCP Business School, we are integrating AI across both academic and business environments,” says Louis David Benyayer, Associate Professor and Coordinator for Artificial Intelligence Initiatives. “AI is embedded in all our programmes, with specialised courses exploring its application in business. Our faculty are progressively incorporating Generative AI throughout the course lifecycle — from design to delivery to assessment.”
Rather than replacing traditional learning, AI is used to enhance educational practices. Instead of relying solely on AI in the classroom, it is used in combination with structured activities that encourage students to engage in independent, critical thinking, while also exploring AI’s potential. For example, students were among the first at ESCP to experiment with AI during a proof of concept phase, from using it as a thought partner in entrepreneurship to using AI as a tool in job hunting.
While ESCP embraces cutting-edge technology, it never loses sight of the human aspect. Combining AI with emotional intelligence, ESCP graduates are tech-savvy and self-aware, empathetic, and equipped with the critical thinking skills needed to lead responsibly in a data- and AI-driven world.
“As we look to the future, we are proud to continue uniting our community around a shared commitment to European excellence, openness to the world, and a dedication to progress. ESCP Business School is not only a European institution but a global leader in business education, recognised for our multiculturalism and commitment to educating purpose-driven leaders who will impact the world,” says Léon Laulusa, Executive President and Dean of ESCP Business School.
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