Poor leadership can act like a 10-ton anchor that slowly sinks a team to the ocean floor of any workplace. Gone are the days of top-down authority, where autocracy rules the day and collaboration is an afterthought.
That said, what does the leadership in 2024 and beyond look like?
It includes resilience, critical thinking, authenticity, emotional intelligence, positive leadership, team building and collaborative relationships.
These critical areas and more are ingrained in students at the Justice Institute of BC (JIBC), where a number of flexible leadership course offerings are helping shape the changemakers of tomorrow.
“A good leader in B.C. recognizes the needs of a diverse workplace—one who is concerned with inclusivity, equity, and who is aware of the rights and experiences of Indigenous people in our workplaces and beyond,” explains Georganne Oldham, a senior faculty member at the JIBC’s Centre for Leadership.
“People looking for leadership training span the gamut of personalities: extroverts, introverts, quiet leaders and assertive leaders. It’s all across the board.”
Learning to lead
JIBC’s leadership courses are helpful for people in various roles across government and Crown corporation settings, the non-profit and private sectors and those working in the utilities.
The diverse programming can assist those in informal leadership roles by allowing them to develop insight into who they are as a leader and how to positively support their workplace. For those already occupying formal leadership roles, these courses support their transformation into becoming an authentic leader who understands how to lead in our current world.
“Authentic leaders are aware of their core values and act from that foundation as they lead in their organizations and communities. They are ethical leaders who are open and transparent in their communication, value interpersonal relationships in the workplace, and care about the people involved, not just the outcomes,” Oldham says.
Knowledgeable theory with practical implementation
The JIBC’s leadership courses are delivered by experienced faculty who are innovative leaders and practitioners in the field.
Students get to practice their skills through both online and face-to-face learning opportunities that are delivered through a lens of decolonization, Indigenization, equality, diversity and inclusion and trauma-informed practice.
In addition to courses, JIBC also offers leadership programs that provide students with practical opportunities to apply their skills.
The Associate Certificate in Applied Leadership comprises six required courses, including a two-day simulation course as a final capstone, plus two elective credits. The capstone provides students with a unique opportunity to live out the day-to-day reality of leading in a simulated organization and receive real-time feedback from coaches as they grapple with the challenges of the day.
“The learning is really based on a very strong foundation of the evolving and foundational leadership theories,” Oldham explains. “This is a very active and interactive program from beginning to end.”
And the numbers bear out the JIBC’s commitment to its students. Overall course satisfaction – averaged over the last three complete academic years – for current offerings of leadership and training and facilitation courses is 94%.
“I think the applied, interactive style of learning is something that people really respond to and they get a lot out of it – the classes are inspiring,” Oldham says.
To learn more about the various courses available and how to enroll, visit jibc.ca.
