Capacity Building To Leadership Development: An Experiential Journey

Abstract

In this article, the researchers discuss how they utilised experiential learning techniques to transform a tutor training program into a leadership development opportunity. Through active research and narrative analysis, the researchers were able to reflect on how the tutor training program they initially developed from an operational need evolved into a leadership development program aimed at encouraging participants to reflect on their own teaching practice and develop an individual teaching philosophy that has its foundations in constructivist learning and experiential learning. The particular leadership skills that the participants developed during the training include planning and strategic thinking, organisational skills, collaboration and team work, effective communication and listening skills, emotional intelligence, and the appropriate display of emotional labour cues while facilitating tutorials. True leadership requires that the leader sets an example to followers. A follower will buy into an idea if the leader can inspire the follower to believe what he believes.