Leadership Development…The Other Half
Imagine sitting in drivers education training. Remember? Sitting through horrible films like Blood Runs Red on the Highway or Mechanized Death and listening to a (more often than not) boring instructor drone on about the ins and outs of driving. However, after jumping this hurdle it comes to pass that you receive your driver’s permit and the coaching from Mom, Dad, instructors, brothers and sisters ensues. You practice, you study, you reluctantly take the feedback and after six months of practice, find yourself at a computer taking the written test and behind the wheel taking the “driving portion” of the exam. This process seems to make pretty good sense. In fact there are a number of learning theorists who would likely agree…
Switch gears (pun intended) with me to leadership. All too often, we only provide the “in the class” portion of leadership education and training within the context of our programs. Sure, there may be one or two exercises that allow participants to practice what has been learned, but more often than not, participants are not given the chance to practice “on the road” where it is messy, confusing and where oftentimes there are no clear cut “if A then B” solutions.
On the opposite end are those programs that “develop leaders” through activities. It is almost as if these participants have not received the “in class” drivers ed – they simply learn behind the wheel (good habits, bad habits and everything in between). Take the Boy Scouts for example – arguably an incredible opportunity for people to develop and learn – after all, much of the learning is based on experiences. However, if no one is there to help connect the dots or help participants reflect on what is happening – myriad opportunities for leadership learning and growth are missed.
It seems to me that the answer is a both/and approach to leadership development. Leadership cannot be taught in the classroom any better than driving can. At some point, you just have to go out and do it. Even if the classroom does offer opportunities to “practice” (the drivers education equivalent of a “driving course”) it is not the same is truly been in the “thick” of a difficult leadership challenge. So how do we do it better? Let’s figure this out. I hope you would all agree that any organization, movement or education “behind” that of the Department of Motor Vehicles is in sad shape! – SJA
