Experimental learning in leadership education

Abstract

The paper will discuss experimental teaching methods for the development of leadership skills and propose methods of enhancing deep and reflective discussion. Everyone involved in leadership skills development classes, the lecturer, trainer or mentor, knows that if this process is ever to have greater effect, it must become much more experimental and reflective and much less didactic. Being a good leader requires both technical and personal competence. The question is how to create opportunities for students to find their leadership potential and to build a career in leadership, as well as how to help them reflect and grow as managers for the very first time. Many students choosing this course wish to be great charismatic leaders. They are fascinated by examples of great world-class leaders and their innate talent, believing that they can too change organizations and motivate people easily. They talk about such people and their brave achievements. Some students are surprised by the content of the course mostly focused on developing interpersonal communication skills and to foster personal growth - in the sense of values, talents, personal way of learning and working, emotional intelligence problems, social intelligence problems and selfperception. There are many ways to explain to students the need for personal development. One is the use of role-playing games - to experience realistic situations, problems and challenges which the leader may face. The outlined program encounters some problems. The role of the teacher is to create and carry out a variety of activities which are intended to have a positive effect on learners and to create an appropriate atmosphere for open discussion, comment and students’ reflections. It is very important not only to discuss what happened during the lecture but also to encourage students to think about their personal characteristics and values after the classes. Some cultural aspects are also of great importance. The Internet forum where students can easily change their ideas is a very useful tool to solve those problems.