Future leaders provide solutions for institutional challenges
Future leaders provide solutions for institutional challenges
Powerful leaders in the making: Twenty VUT staff members applied for and were selected to take part in the WITS Business School Future Leaders Development Programme.
Azande Ralephenya
Renowned writer and leadership coach and speaker, Robin Sharma puts it plainly and effectively: “Leadership is not about title or designation, it’s about impact, influence and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work, and you have to inspire teammates and consumers.”
This is what a group of colleagues from various departments within the Vaal University of Technology have learnt while attending the WITS Business School Future Leaders Development Programme.
This intense five-month programme is set to equip individuals who seek to expand their leadership potential and enhance their skills to better equip them in their current positions or prepare them for future, managerial positions. The group of 20 began their leadership journey in March – one which proved quite challenging, yet fruitful, for the group. The course entailed subjects such as Communications, Customer Service, Business Acumen, People Management and Creative Problem Solving as well as an emotional intelligence assessment amongst others.
Learning and Skills Development Specialist, Ms Keitumetse Moagi, from HR said: “The main idea is for everyone who is part of Future Leaders Development to learn practical skills and creatively implement them at this institution whether within the entire environment or just within their departments. The skills learnt here will benefit each and every individual who took part, not only for work purposes but also for personal growth,” she further stated.
Through a rigorous creative problem-solving assignment, each group was tasked with identifying a problem that needed to be solved at VUT. Throughout the five months, each team collected data, conducted interviews and came up with creative, doable and effective solutions for each of the identified problems. The final presentations were made on 27 July in front of a panel which comprised VUT Executive members.
Each team tackled challenges that the institution faces, proposing possible solutions that, if implemented and monitored effectively, will create a positive change and improve the method of operations.
At the end of each group presentation, the panel seemed impressed with the solutions provided. Mr Michael Khuboni, Executive Director Corporate Affairs, was greatly impressed and proposed that the solutions be presented in front of the Executive Management Committee, which could lead to implementation.
The Future Leaders Development Programme was successfully completed with more than just skills being gained; confident leaders who want to make a positive change within VUT have been created.
The certificate ceremony will be held in August.
Mr Sakhile Cele, Acting Director: Centre of Excellence & Principal Officer: VUT Provident Fund, Human Resources Department with Ms Keitumetse Moagi: Learning and Skills Development Specialist, VUT Human Resources Department
