The impact of a full-range leadership training program in a small town

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe and understand conditions, processes and outcomes associated with twelve leaders in a small town who participated in a full-range leadership workshop. This study used a qualitative case study design. The primary data collection method employed was through individual interviews with the twelve selected leaders from this workshop and ten of their randomly selected followers after ninety days and two small group sessions. Four research questions were considered and they attempted to examine the impact of an intervention leadership-training program on individual leaders, organizations, community and followers of these leaders. The primary findings of this study are the following. Participants experienced that attitude of leaders toward a training program before, during and after the workshop as a vital factor to implement the new concepts. Motivation and readiness emerged as two major component of this theme. External factors, trust and reward were mentioned as contributing factors for readiness to change. Dissatisfaction and personal and professional growth were mentioned as motivating factors. Next theme was learning of leaders and two sub-themes of community leadership and gradual change had emerged from this theme. All leaders were interested to improve their leadership skills, but this was affected by the context in which the leader operates. Nature of a small town, tradition and bureaucracy were mentioned as other factors affecting the learning process. Next theme was support for leaders, with the two sub-themes of re-enforcement and fellowship. All participants in this workshop welcomed the idea of small group sessions following the workshop. This theme appeared to be the most important finding of this study. Any intervention leadership training program without follow-ups will have a temporary impact in a community. Implications and recommendations for future studies are also presented

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