Shortlisted for the 2019 CIPD Best Learning and Development Programme in the MENA region
Women in Leadership
Design
AFAQ designed this programme to provide a platform for women to develop their own philosophy as well as the knowledge base, skills and attributes to become effective leaders. The programme design also focused on helping participants, throughout this process, to gain a deeper understanding of self, including personality characteristics and traits, strengths, weaknesses, interests, and motivation and to reflect on how that relates to planning and development for personal growth and achievement of aspirations. Core skills were also an important element of the course such as communication, planning and teamwork in order to become effective leaders.
Delivery
Face-to-face delivery sessions included engaging a range of speakers and facilitators with diverse profiles from Human Resources, Learning and Development, Future Foresight Practitioners and a wide range of other fields of expertise. All speakers, besides being experts in their fields, had proven records of success and achievements in assuming leadership roles.
Part of the programme was an overseas trip to Scotland to examine best practice in another context. This part of the programme provide opportunities where participants could consider and reflect on the broader scope of leadership challenges in a cultural setting that is significantly different to their own. The experiences during this trip to explore how women, from culturally-diverse backgrounds and professions, tackled leadership challenges and overcame obstacles in a professional setting. Being exposed to foreign perspectives and contexts enabled participants to develop further reflect on their own professional practice.
“We do not only empower women, but we empower the whole community through women.’ Without them we would not be where we are today. With you, the UAE grows in strength and greatness.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai,
Described as the “the nurturers of our future generations, partners in development, and the force of change in societies,’ by H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, this women-empowering program is considered an embodiment of this endeavour.
Outcomes
Throughout the programme, to promote deeper engagement and reflection, participants were encouraged to apply what they had learned into their own practice, culminating in the production of a personalized and evidence based portfolio of progress and development.
All programme participants successfully completed the ‘Women in Leadership’ Programme and were first to receive AFAQ’s certification through the Institute of Leadership and Management.