Growth Essentials
Learn the foundations of learning and change — the basis of every transformation.
Ongoing transformation and change are essential for every organization today. Yet they regularly fail — often because the people involved have never learned how learning and change actually work.
In this program, you learn exactly that. For yourself first, then for your team.
These are the sentences we hear before people join.
“I got the team lead role on Friday. On Monday nobody told me how this works.”
“I'm still doing the work myself because delegating takes longer.”
“My one-on-ones are status updates. Nothing actually develops.”
“I know what good leadership looks like. I just don't have a method.”
This program changes that.
What you'll learn
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Transformation fails where people do not know how learning and change work.
Organizations are in ongoing change — new technology, new markets, new ways of working. Most transformation programs stall not because the strategy is wrong, but because the people carrying them were never taught how adults learn, what motivates them, and why they resist. Growth Essentials closes that gap — and the effect shows up at every level.
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Who this program is for
Leaders and future leaders
Who want a practical method to develop their people systematically — and to lead them well through change.
Transformation and change teams
Who carry change programs and need the people inside them to actually learn, adopt and keep going.
HR and L&D professionals
Building a learning culture that does not depend on one training budget or one motivated manager.
Specialists stepping into leadership
Excellent at the work, new to developing others — and looking for a solid foundation from day one.
Program structure
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Who will facilitate
The program is led by Prof. Matthias Ehrhardt and Verena Lauffs, bringing decades of combined expertise in leadership development, organizational psychology, and adult learning.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Matthias Ehrhardt
Professor, executive coach and advisor for over two decades. Author of the ACE it! Method.
Full profile →
Verena Lauffs
Executive coach, mentor and facilitator for over 10 years across learning and talent development programs.
Full profile →Who participates
Past cohorts have included leaders from some of the best business schools globally, startups, business families, venture capital and private equity firms, board members of global corporations, teachers, headmasters, professional coaches, and leaders from charities and non-profits.
This diversity creates an exceptional networking opportunity — connections that extend well beyond the program itself.
“The Growth Essentials Program gave me a set of tools I now use regularly in my work with startup founders. The ACE framework and tools like the Best Work Tool help people quickly understand where they are coming from, what really matters to them, and how to reach their goals. I highly recommend this program to anyone who develops people.”
Mihai MelonariStartup Coach, TECH.LAND Accelerator
“You never leave a session without a tool you can apply. I used to feel uneasy as a coach, holding space without contributing. The ACE it! method changed that: I now actively facilitate and solve problems without interfering with the learner’s own process.”
Thiago PradoTransformation, Value Creation and M&A
“The learning teams and breakouts helped greatly, not just to put the tools into practice but also to receive helpful peer feedback in a safe, constructive environment. The diversity of the other participants’ experiences and professional backgrounds enriched the program for me.”
Katherine BartSenior Communications Professional
“My biggest takeaway is that learning is a process — and that no matter what challenge you face, the solution is in the room. It just needs to be found.”
Leni SchwarzBusiness Developer, T-Systems Austria
“This program, grounded in Design Thinking, is tailored to enhance problem-solving in everyday work scenarios. From optimizing teamwork to empowering teams to solve issues independently, I acquired a comprehensive set of skills.”
Laura LewandowskiEntrepreneur, Speaker, LinkedIn Top Voice
Dates and fees
Starts Oct 2026
Live sessions run 4:00–6:00 PM CET, every two weeks over eight weeks.
$2,400
EUR 2,100 (plus VAT). Scholarships available.
Book your own exclusive Growth Essentials program for your organization.
Inquire about a private cohortBefore the program starts you'll receive pre-readings and the Zoom links for every session.
What you'll gain
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Apply to Growth Essentials
Lead with clarity. Inspire growth. ACE it — every day.