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 collective learning and immersive scenarios with professional actors. MBA students refine their skills, build confidence, adapt in the moment, and grow by doing, not just by discussing.
Leadership Accelerator

Leadership Practice in Action

"Leadership is not something you're born with. It's a set of skills, and therefore it's something we have to practice." 

Our Method

Three Pillars of Our Unique Approach to Leadership Development

Immersive Experiences with Professional Actors

Students engage in unscripted leadership scenarios with trained actors playing direct reports, peers, or managers. These surface real emotions, preparing students for the nuances of real-world leadership.

Repeated Practice

Through multiple rounds of scenarios, students experiment, adapt, and strengthen their leadership muscles until new behaviors stick.

Peer Coaching

Students grow together through observation, feedback, and reflection. The process deepens trust, expands awareness, and makes leadership development a shared practice.

Three feminine-presenting students sit in a half-moon and smile in a classrom.
Elective MBA Course

Makhoul Leadership Fellows

This immersive course is open to Full-time, Langone, Focused, and Executive MBA students. In Leadership Fellows, students build leadership agility through actor-led simulations, peer coaching, and repeated practice.

Learn More

Flagship Experiences

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
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 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.

Learn More
A group of students sit around a table, laughing.

Club Leader Training

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

Learn More

Connect with Us