About the Program
The Leadership Development Program (LDP) recognises that all participants are leaders in their own right and is designed to facilitate individual leadership development to enhance existing leadership capabilities while scholars are enrolled in their master’s and doctoral programs.
Guiding principles of the program include gender equality and cross-cultural sensitivity. The LDP comprises five modules, with each module having discrete but complementary aims, methodologies and learning outcomes.
Program outputs:
- ALA scholars have increased knowledge and understanding of contemporary leadership challenges at national, regional and global levels.
- ALA scholars have increased skills in leadership.
- Networks among potential Asia-Pacific leaders and between ALA Scholars and Australian leaders are established.
Core modules
Module 1 – Leadership Development Conference
14 – 17 March 2010
Hotel Realm, Canberra
To view last year’s program download the 2010 Conference Handbook
(PDF approx 1.9mb)
The 4 day Leadership Development Conference aims to strengthen scholars’ understandings of key regional leadership challenges and provide an opportunity to network with other scholars and with current and emerging leaders in Australia.
It is compulsory for all ALA scholars to attend the conference which will introduce them to the key elements of the LDP. The conference program comprises plenary sessions and participatory workshops with high-profile speakers from government, business and civil society organisations aimed at increasing understanding about key regional leadership challenges and encouraging reflection on strategies to deal with these issues.
The program includes cultural and social activities, which provide scholars the opportunity to experience Australia’s culture and get to know other scholars. Conference highlights include functions hosted at Parliament House and a conference dinner held at the Australian National Museum.
“It is excellent to have opportunities to listen to key speakers for the concepts and roles of leaderships in various perspectives. This ignites the flame of leadership in the heart of ALA students who will start developing their future leadership roles.”
“I even got more experience than expected. The Conference really challenged my thinking. I have a feeling that I have become a different person...” (2008 ALA scholars)
Module 2 – Leadership Workshops
5 – 8 July 2010
Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Western Australia
These 4 day residential workshops conducted in country locations outside of major cities are focused on improving personal leadership knowledge and skills development.
Attendance is compulsory for all ALA scholars. Each workshop will have approximately 30 - 35 participants.
By focusing on leadership theory, styles and tools, this experiential program will broaden perceptions about leadership, and enhance leadership skills and self-awareness to address organisational, national and regional challenges, and develop capabilities for leading and managing change. It will use psychometric measurement instruments, syndicate learning methods and experiential learning activities to identify participants’ leadership strengths and areas of development. The workshop will acknowledge scholars’ experiences, skills and knowledge as the foundation for new learning.
The Leadership Workshop will lay the foundation for the following optional leadership modules; Modules 3, 4 and 5. By the end of the workshop each ALA scholar will have developed a leadership learning plan. Scholars will use this plan as a basis for individual and/or syndicate coaching.
“I really feel that I can face the world (and any hurdle life throws at me) calmly and confidently. I may not be able to change the world, but I can make it a better place to live in...”
“[My expectation were] extensively met. I had not realised this Workshop would provide me with such insights to recognise my strengths and weaknesses. The Workshop has given me an opportunity to overcome my fears and bring out the strong confidence in me to become a leader” (ALA Scholars, July 2008 Workshop)
Optional modules
Module 3 – Leadership Coaching
From July 2010
Consistent with research findings suggesting that traditional coaching methodologies are not necessarily appropriate for all cultures, the approach to the Coaching Module will include both traditional and peer coaching. All LDP participants will be introduced to the principles of peer coaching during the Workshop and receive a Peer Coaching Handbook developed to meet the specific needs of the group. Participants will have opportunities to explore the use of peer coaching in practice during the Leadership Workshop. Using the unique educational methodology that underpins the peer coaching model ALA scholars who choose to be involved in this module will use their Leadership Learning Plans as the point of focus throughout the module. Participants will receive ongoing monthly support for a year from a coach chosen to support them following the Leadership Workshop.
Module 4 – Leadership Practice Module
Minimum 1 week internship negotiated between the scholar and Practice Module Team
The Leadership Practice Module provides ALA scholars with the type and complexity of workplace experience consistent with their leadership experience, development needs and area of interest. The program is resource and time efficient with measurable learning outcomes and support structures for participants from LDP staff and the industry partner. Those scholars who choose to participate in the Leadership Practice Module will be provided with pre-entry and skills training on-line, mentorship within the placement organisation, support strategies from the LDP Team and assessment on exiting the organisation as well as during the time spent there. All interns are required to keep a diary throughout the process.
Interns have an individual Case Manager, access to a human resources officer, IT specialists and coaches throughout the placement. The organisations available to the program belong to a nationwide network. Interns are required to undertake an induction program prior to participant placement. Access to appropriate work placements is supported by AELC’s coverage in Australia, with existing offices in Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne. Each organisation will have a formal agreement covering expectations for both interns and the organisation as well as providing a job description with expected learning outcomes. AELC’s Internship Australia Program, which is the basis for the Leadership Practice Module, has won multiple awards both nationally and internationally for its concept and unique delivery. To sign up for this module click here (You must be logged in to access the page).
Module 5 – REFRESH Workshop
9 July 2010
Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia
The REFRESH one day workshop will focus on the power of networks and reconnecting ALA scholars. Opportunity to explore themes which have a strong focus on strategies for returning home are explored and the power of networking and building on ALA networks is reinforced. Scholars are encouraged to reflect on their LDP experience and develop plans to continue their leadership journey.