The efficacy of an Executive development programme to facilitate behavioural change - a qualitative analysis of a programme enhancing the role of critical reflection in leader development
Date
2013-10-22
Authors
Mdhluli, Khanyisa
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Abstract
The current business landscape is characterised by fundamental change to the
ways of working to include globalisation, digitisation and deregulation. The pace
and extent of the change has culminated in the emergence of a different way of
working, which has brought with it a requirement for leaders to lead their
organisations differently.
The traditional approach to leading (characterised by hierarchical, top-down
leadership styles) is no longer appropriate or viable in the increasingly
unpredictable and interdependent world of today. Leaders, as a result, are
presented with the challenge of acquiring the capability to meet growing
leadership demands. Executive development programmes are but one of the
means with which leadership capability can be improved.
This study explored one such development programme developed by
BANKSETA in partnership with the Wits Business School. The research
process utilised a qualitative desk-based analysis of leadership journals to
assess how critical reflection facilitated a behavioural change in leaders
enrolled in the course, as a result of participating in the programme.
Key findings endorse that critical reflection did indeed facilitate a behavioural
change with key themes including a time application shift, use of feedback in
the leader development process, the need for on-going self-assessment to aid
development, coaching and it’s benefits.
This study has confirmed the existing body of knowledge on critical reflection,
the role of emotional intelligence in leader development and models of
behavioural change by confirming that structured the IEDP strategies, which
incorporate the use of reflection, accelerated leader’s behavioural change in
their personal and professional leadership development journeys
Description
MBA thesis
Keywords
Leadership development, Executive development