Meet Craig and Discover the Story Behind the ILM Leadership Development Center

Hello everyone! Today, I’m excited to introduce the head of the ILM Leadership Development Center,Craig Campbell from Canada. He is a native English speaker living in Beijing since 2008. He is not only the head of the ILM Leadership Academy in China but also has a wealth of international professional experience in management, talent development, and higher education.

Craig’s career is like a global adventure movie, spanning North America, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East. He has accumulated extensive experience in the energy and resources industries. He founded his own training company and has provided various leadership training programs for major companies including China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and New Oriental (XDF).

In addition to teaching in the Global Executive MBA program at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) in Beijing, Craig is also a certified Master Trainer with the Association for Talent Development (ATD) in the USA and collaborates with the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) in the UK to bring leadership development solutions to China.

It all started when he met a girl from Sichuan during his college days in Canada. They married in 2001 and went to China for a vacation the following year to visit her family and homeland. That trip was an eye-opener for Craig, and he fell deeply in love with the country. He promised his wife that they would eventually move to China. Today, he feels that moving to China was a very wise decision and is very fortunate to live happily in Beijing with his wife.
They have two lovely daughters who are fluent in both English and Mandarin. Now, they are studying in London, UK. The elder daughter is studying law at King’s College, while the younger daughter is studying computer game arts at the University of the Arts London. Although they have chosen completely different academic paths, Craig is happy that they can live in the same city.

As a father and a university teacher,Craig understands the importance of a solid academic foundation for personal and professional development. Unfortunately, most schools focus too much on technical content and overlook the soft skills necessary for success, such as emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and leadership.

This gap in educational experience is a serious issue. Top universities have stated that excellent grades alone are not sufficient to select outstanding students; they particularly look for applicants with extracurricular activities and leadership experience. Additionally, many students are unprepared for the significant transition to university, especially when studying abroad, including academic English skills and the ability to quickly adapt to different teaching styles.

These reasons motivated Craig to introduce the ILM Leadership Academy in China, preparing young people for the significant changes and challenges they will face at this stage of life. The learning objectives of the ILM Youth Leadership Program cover many important self-management topics, such as developing a growth mindset, increasing resilience, and overcoming procrastination. It also helps students become better communicators, set and achieve goals, and influence others. Students will benefit from a comprehensive learning experience, including an online learning platform, personal mentoring, and an applied leadership project.

To learn more about the the ILM Leadership Academy and their You Leaders Program in China.

I recommend all young people entering the workforce or planning to study abroad to enroll in the Young Leaders Program. It not only provides an advantage in college applications but also offers a globally recognized leadership certificate and authoritative recommendation letter, fully preparing them for their future academic pursuits and professional careers. If you have any questions about the ILM Leadership Academy, please contact us for more information.

Wish everyone all the best!
Craig Campbell (KongBo)