The Future of Leadership

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The Future of Leadership is a practical, two-day course that examines and begins to develop the skills and knowledge required to be an effective 21 st Century leader. The subject has an intervention design with a full-day facilitated workshop, a four-week intervention period and a second full-day workshop. This spacing allows participants to reflect on what they have learned and put the learning into practice. There are also pre-course readings and leadership assessments to prepare participants, provide meaningful insights and build a base of relevant knowledge. Although the course involves only two days face-to-face, the individual experience is a genuine leadership journey.

The subject covers the knowledge, skills and tools that will position participants to be effective leaders in the 21 st Century. The leadership attributes, capabilities and applications of twenty to thirty years ago have been shown to be ineffective in the modern context. What is required now? What will be required in the next twenty years? How do you lead a virtual team, or an organisation that works completely flexibly? What does it take to lead a workforce that includes three or even four generations? This subject examines what leadership does and will need to look like, and allows participants to assess themselves against the abilities that will be required.

The subject is structured as follows:

1. Two weeks’ preparation: pre-readings, interview with supervisor, ‘challenging scenario at work’ personal case study
2. All-day facilitated workshop
3. Four-week intervention period: additional readings and self-assessment, application of new knowledge / skills approaches to personal case study, reflective journal, connect with ‘accountability partner’
4. All-day facilitated workshop
5. Post-program reflective assessment

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Understand the knowledge, skills and applications of effective leadership in the modern workplace
• Develop an understanding of how leadership has changed, and how it will continue to change
• Demonstrate awareness of own leadership skills, capabilities and attributes
• Understand how to effectively approach diverse workplace scenarios
• Apply new skills and knowledge to the workplace
• Understand how to measure the effectiveness of leadership

Pre-workshop interview with supervisor (10%)

Personal case study and corresponding 500 word write-up (10%)

Inter-workshop completion of 45-minute long 21 st Century leadership skills and capabilities (Hurdle)

Effective participation and engagement in leadership transitions and ‘Flexible, Agile or Lean Leadership’ classroom activities (20%)

1500 word reflective paper on intervention and classroom material (60%)

*Vielmetter, G. & Sell, Y. (2014). Leadership 2030. [electronic resource] New York, NY: American Management Association, 265p. * Excerpts from

Fernandez-Araoz, C. (2014). ‘21 st Century Talent Spotting.’ Harvard Business Review, Vol. 92 Issue 6, pp.2 -11

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On successful completion of this subject students should have enhanced their skills in:

• Communication, both verbal and non-verbal
• Confidently meeting complex relational problems multiple ways
• Problem-solving
• Agile and lean methodologies
• The ability to work as an effective team member and team leader