Clear focussed thinking and accurate self-awareness are essential for powerful leadership. Leaders have long been advised to think better about what they are doing, but little support has been available to support those leaders in how to think better, and indeed in what to think about.
This year-long programme of taught and individual study has been designed to change that. The programme revolves around work on a self-selected single question that has both personal and professional significance for the individual participant. Each participant conducts their own enquiry, accompanied by other group participants working on their own separate enquiries.
Every participant will be guided through a process of personal reflective enquiry, a critical review of relevant published literature on the subject, and then an action research project to explore aspects of their leadership question. By the end of the programme, participants will have gained significant self-insight to enhance the quality and effectiveness of their leadership, together with an understanding of reflective and action research processes. These gains will enable the leaders to apply the learned principles with competence and confidence long after completion of the programme.
It is intended that this Programme will be endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). Approval currently pending.
This is a one-year programme that includes:
75 contact hours, to include 10 taught days and 5 hours of one-to-one coaching with the programme leader
20 hours of peer meeting (actual and/or virtual, by agreement)
150 hours of individual study and research
Assessed work....and contribution of a chapter to a published book
In addition to three assessed pieces of work to be completed during the year – two written assignments and a presentation – each participant will be encouraged to contribute a chapter on some aspect of their personal experience or findings to be published in an edited volume on reflective leadership. This part of the programme will be optional and not assessed.
Programme content will include:
Clarification of expected Return on Investment (ROI) and consideration of how that ROI will be measured and achieved Educational input on literature reviews, action research methodologies, and reflective practice models and techniques Instruction on and practice in written expression and journalling, as tools for building self-awareness and for impacting on the wider field
