Tue, 07 Apr 2009
The CPLD is a part-time course designed to give managers a broad exposure to the fundamental nature and process of management and human behaviour within organisations.
>> CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL LDC BROCHURE
Tue, 07 Apr 2009
The Certificate Programme in Management Development is designed to meet the need in South Africa for developing competent managers, and has a special focus on skills and personal development through experiential learning
The Leadership Development Centre at Wits Business School
The Leadership Development Centre is based at Wits Business School in Parktown, Gauteng. It evolved out of the Management Development Unit (MDU) which was established in 1995(?). The prime focus of the Leadership Development Centre is the development of leadership within individuals and organisations. There is a strong emphasis on the component of Personal Leadership. The Centre endeavours to answer the question “What are the leadership skills, qualities, attributes required to lead a particular organisation at a certain point in time? It recognises that leadership is fluid and dynamic and different aspects would emerge at varied stages within the life cycle of the organisation. The key is to identify what leadership competencies would be required when.
The Leadership Development Centre has several offerings and uses a variety of methodologies and approaches to Leadership Development. The Leadership Development Centre views itself as a partner with companies and organisation in developing their leadership capacity. By developing a close working relationship with a company`s leaders, The Leadership Development Centre will design and customise a leadership development programme that is relevant, based on best practices, industry specific and thus offers an excellent return on investment.
Components of Leadership Development include the use of assessments, leadership quests, coaching and action learning. The faculty of The Leadership Development Centre are accredited in a variety of assessment tools and can, amongst others, assess the leader`s emotional intelligence, personality, preferences and leadership styles. 360 degree and online assessments are available. It is critical to determine which assessments would be most appropriate to enhance the leadership insights. Often as part of the development process a Leadership Quest is designed. This is an individual reflective leadership journey facilitated by en executive coach which results in a written leadership document that can be used as a blue print for the leader. This process is also offered through an online virtual environment.
Executive Coaching is a vital aspect of Leadership Development. The Leadership Development Centre has a large pool of experienced qualified coaches. Coaches are assigned to leaders (range of matching tools – executive to coach are available). Personalised goals are addressed. The coaches are all well versed in the challenge of Leadership. Coaching can be provided in support of Leadership Programmes or as a standalone initiative in Leadership Development.
Leadership Programmes offered can be certified programmes which are recognised by the university. These programmes are examined. Alternatively, many companies want to develop a specific competency, for example, Strategic Thinking, Emotional Intelligence and an understanding of Corporate Governance. These programmes would then be designed to address the organisation’s needs and would not necessarily be examined.
Action Learning Projects are part of the Leadership Programmes that are offered in-house. The company identifies its real challenges within the organisation of a cross functional team will work on solving these issues and presenting solutions and implementation plans based on a combination of practical research. This ensures the sustainability of the learning and makes a quantifiable bottom line difference in organisations.
The Leadership Development Centre has developed close relationships with a number of international academics and can source global experts to add value to Leadership Development. Some recent international best practice leaders who have worked for the Leadership Development Centre include, Paul Mooney (Resiliance in Leadership), Annie McKee (Emotional Intelligence – co-author with Goleman) and Tony Buzan (Mindmapping).
The Leadership Development Centre always attempts to find innovative solutions in learning. The Leadership Development Centre has used a Naval Simulator for experiential learning (the only Business School to do so in South Africa). It also uses diversity experiences and bush experiences to aid leadership insight. Conversation Dinners with great leaders are also help regularly to develop real insight into these leaders.
Natalie Witthuhn, a MBA Graduate from Wits Business School, currently working on her PhD, is the Director of the Leadership Development Centre. She is passionate about the development of Leadership within South Africa. She can be contacted on Natalie.witthuhn@wits.ac.za or (011) 717 3539.
