COMM 483 - Leadership and General Management
Click here for the 25W application Form.
The Course
Click here to view the class schedule for 2023W.
Click here to view the 2022W course syllabus.
COMM 483 is designed to be a transformative and personal experience. It is a leadership course modeled after Harvard's first year MBA program and led by Professor Adel Gamar.
In this course, leadership is viewed not as a position but an art that is accessible to anyone committed to developing and refining their practice. Learning is a vital component to the art and practice of leadership. It is a noble path that demands integrity, collaboration, and empathy. To inculcate a learning environment, students forge a community bound by collective trust while ensuring psychological safety for everyone.
Through case studies, class discussions, and guest speakers, students grapple with complex challenges that include business, management, policy, and strategy. The course covers a wide range of topics and will be balanced with student experiences and interests reflected in the diverse cohort that this course attracts.
This course aims to help prepare students for the challenges of leadership in an adaptive, interconnected, and inclusive world. Guest speakers included Senator Mobina Jaffer, Roger Dall'Antonia (CEO of FortisBC Inc.), Tamara Vrooman (CEO of YVR), and Carolina Larriera (former UN Diplomat).
COMM 483 is worth six credits and is taught over six weekends in Term 2. Over the term, students will be required to analyze approximately 30 cases, write a 10-page self-reflective essay, complete 4-5 group assignments, stay up-to-date with current events, and actively participate in the class discussions. The summer before, you will also be required to complete various readings on leadership. There is an active social aspect and deep collegial connection to the course.
Note, if you are following the most recent program requirements which require completion of COMM 491 (see degree requirements for year 1 entry in 2022W or later), COMM 483 cannot count toward the Year 4 capstone requirement.
The Students
The true value of the course comes from the students who take part in it. We are looking for the most imaginative, ambitious, hardworking people who will be in their third year or above in Term 2 of the Winter Session (January to April).
Students who believe they offer something 'different' are encouraged to apply.
Note: COMM 483 has a heavy course load. We encourage you seek out alumni and ask them about the course.
Student Testimonials
For student testimonials, COMM 483 alumni helped create this video.
Learning objectives
The objectives of this course are:
- to become self-aware of and develop one’s ability to exercise leadership.
- to integrate and apply knowledge gained from previous business courses to business cases.
- to learn to absorb and analyze information to make business decisions.
- to improve verbal communication and presentation ability.
- to improve one’s ability to collaborate with others.
- to actively learn from the experiences of classmates and community leaders.
Information sessions
Info Session #1
Date: April 28, 2025
Time: 12PM – 1PM PT
Zoom link:
https://ubc.zoom.us/my/adelgamar?pwd=eEpsRGtMMDNEWWVaZzhoUlRUaTUxQT09
Info Session #2
Date: May 15, 2025
Time: 5PM – 6PM PT
Zoom link:
https://ubc.zoom.us/my/adelgamar?pwd=eEpsRGtMMDNEWWVaZzhoUlRUaTUxQT09
Application timeline
- Application opens: Monday, May 5 at 9AM PT
- Application closes: Friday, May 16 at 5PM PT
- Interview (virtual): May 24, 25, and 31 (dates are subject to change)
- Offers sent out: June 2
For latest course updates, please join our Facebook group. For any questions, please contact the Course TAs at COMM483@sauder.ubc.ca.
About the professor
Adel Gamar is CEO of a boutique consultancy specializing in adaptive leadership, organizational strategy, and change management. Over the course of his career, he has advised senior leaders of Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, and governments worldwide. He is a former policy fellow at Harvard Law School, UNESCO Education Specialist, and taught adaptive leadership and negotiation at Harvard.
Gamar is Board Chair of Douglas College and cofounder of The Gamar Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to inspire, empower, and connect young people to make a positive difference for the greater public good. He holds an MPA from Harvard and a B.Ed. from the University of Calgary.