Leader's Edge
Leadership MATTERS for MBA students. Being an agile leader REALLY matters. A majority of MBA programs offer core classes in Financial Management, Operations Analysis, and Business Ethics, for example, but most often neglect to provide any type of leadership development. Successful leadership requires not only understanding the qualities of leadership but also an awareness of the individual's own leadership abilities. As such, MBA students focused on a future of spreadsheets and assisting their company make skillful strategic decisions might prove to be costly ineffective when assigned to be the leader of a team of consultants, group, department, or company.
Corporate cultures look for employees that are fast, effective problem solvers, inspire others, and can seemingly anticipate market trends and cope with, and even embrace change. According to Stuart Kaplan, COO of Korn/Ferry Leadership and Talent Consulting, some MBA programs recognizing those agile skill sets needed, are beginning to provide Leadership courses designed to develop and foster the leader within. One such program is offered by Corporate College Services in partnership with Excelsior College. CCS students also have the option of completing an area of specialization in Leadership.
As stated by author David Hakala (2008), "every organization needs leaders at every level." In his article, The Top 10 Leadership Qualities, some of the traits defined include having a clear, vivid picture of where to go, a firm grasp on what success looks like, and having the vision and confidence to share, own it, and act upon it. CCS MBA students investigate, analyze, and research leadership qualities as they refine their own personal leadership styles. This is where the leader has a contingency of skills and selects the appropriate ones that best fits the solution. Achievement of this is done in part by developing individual plans as well as incorporating the values of contemporary leadership theory and self-assessment.
Respected CCS instructor and leadership mentor, Don George states, "Society is made up of 'unlimited wants' and 'limited resources'. Although this is taught in economic classes, it does pertain to leadership. Leaders must make decisions that can only satisfy part of the 'wants' since we can't satisfy everyone. This is where leaders influence people to achieve success. Therefore, there must be a discipline to develop the decision making process. This process is not difficult, but requires a constant commitment to follow it." In the Leadership class, George asks the students for their definition of leader and then asks them to put their names on it laying the groundwork for individual ownership and discipline in decision making.
Considered a prime requirement for an agile leader, developing a discipline process in decision making according to George is a simple 6 step process. Succinctly, the process involves the following:
- identifying the problem and developing a statement that addresses the issue
- collecting data relevant to the problem stated
- analyzing the data collected to confirm the problem statement
- developing a plan to address the problem
- implementing the plan
- measuring the results
While students evaluate, incorporate, and develop their discipline process, they also formulate answers to their individual questions---Who Am I? Where Am I Going? How Am I Going to Get There?
Managers who aspire to be leaders know that leadership matters. Corporations who believe in investing and developing the talent from within also know that leadership matters. Furthermore, in order to be able to quickly adapt to change, sustain business momentum and remain competitive in a global market, organizations require leaders and leadership skills. An MBA program such as CCS offers equips the adult learner with the necessary tools to transition from manager to agile leader.
