Search the NYU Stern Site
A masculine presenting person with short curly hair sits in a crowd of people, hands covering his smile in excitement and attentive listening.
Leadership Accelerator

Less Theory. More Practice.

Welcome to the Leadership Accelerator.

We provide repeated leadership practice through immersive scenarios with professional actors, peer coaching, and real-time feedback. MBA students refine their skills, build confidence, adapt in the moment, and grow by doing, not just by discussing.
Three feminine-presenting students sit in a half-moon and smile in a classrom.
Makhoul Leadership Fellows

Into the Hot Seat

Imagine being dropped into a high-stakes leadership moment, with a professional actor across from you and a group of your peers watching. The Hot Seat is our signature learning method: a live simulation where students lead through tension, try new approaches, and receive immediate coaching from peers and faculty. It's intense, iterative, and unforgettable.

Experience the Hot Seat

Three Pillars of Our Unique Approach to Leadership Development

Use of Professional Actors for Role-Play Practice

Peer Coaching

Real-time Feedback

Student Voices

Neha Tummala

“I remind myself that growth is hard, and what got you here won’t get you there, so keep going!”

Neha's Story

Ashwin Balaji

"When I think about an exceptional leader, I don’t look to the smartest person in the room. I look to the person who is willing to take a backseat and lean on their team to explain complex ideas."

Ashwin's Story

Najma Yakob

"If I’m not continuously pushing myself and others, I’m not leading."

Najma's Story

Flagship Experiences

A feminine-presenting person with light skin and dark, curly hair crosses her arms over her chest as she stares with muted animosity at her partner, seated across from her with dark skin, short black hair, and a thick black mustache.

Makhoul Leadership Fellows (MBA Elective Course)

Immersive MBA course that builds leadership agility through actor-led simulations, peer coaching, and real-time feedback.

Learn More
Two masculine presenting people with lighter skin stand in blazers as they hold a pile of papers. One stands with his right hand on his hip. They listen to a small group of seated people in a lecture-style classroom.

Live Crisis Simulation

Full-day leadership simulation where students lead teams through fast-moving, actor-driven scenarios.

Learn More
A feminine-presenting person with long, black, curled hair laughs so had their eyes close. They hold a cup in their hands and are surrounded by others in a sparse, standing crowd.

Leadership Storytelling Summit

Two-day, tech-free summit where students practice using personal stories to build influence, emotional intelligence, and connection.

Learn More
A masculine presenting magician points his fingers at the right fist of a feminine presenting person, who stands with her arms outstretched in front of her.

Community in Practice (Full-time MBA Orientation)

A high-touch leadership training experience for the entire incoming MBA class focused on norms, conflict, and communication.

A masculine-presenting person smiles at the camera with their thumbs pointing at their chest. They are surrounded by a group of fellow students, who smile and cheer him on.

Club Leader Training

Interactive leadership training for graduate and undergraduate club leaders to build peer influence and team leadership skills.

Connect with Us