Mastering the Art of Leadership in Peace Operations and Fragile Environments

The course “Mastering the Art of Leadership” will be organised and conducted by the German Training Partner Platform. It provides participants with the space to reflect on and develop their leadership skills together with peers and facilitators. The course concept is based on the idea that a guided journey, which links personal values, personality and experience working in fragile environments with one‘s leadership skills, is the best way to improve and eventually ‘master’ leadership.

Peace operations under the mandates of the UN, EU, and OSCE, as well as international development programs/projects in fragile environments operate in a context that is characterised by diversity, insecurity, fragility and uncertainty (DIFU). Highly skilled leadership is all the more crucial in these environments, as a decisive factor in effective mandate implementation, the legitimacy and reputation of international actors, and the welfare and well-being of staff.

• To gain further awareness and a deeper understanding of behavioural patterns and automatic reactions that affected your past leadership experience in a DIFU context;
• To apply new tools to break with behavioural patterns that have caused leadership challenges in the past;
• To gain insight into the perspectives of colleagues from different backgrounds (civilian, police and military) on leadership challenges and successes in a DIFU environment;
• To gain motivation, insight and concrete approaches on how to improve your performance as a well-rounded leader in a DIFU environment;
• To heighten your awareness of “self” and “team” as well as the “wider context” in a group situation, gaining insights into team dynamics and your personal influence and reaction to them;
• To enhance the ability of participants to lead effectively in multi-dimensional, international peace/crisis management operations and projects.

The target audience for the course are civilian, police and military experts deployed to management positions in peace operations (UN, EU, OSCE, AU, NATO) and international development cooperation programs/projects.

The course focusses on a self-reflection process, which is not specific or limited to a certain management level. Thus, it can be relevant to middle management as well as senior management positions, depending on the previous experience and attitude of the person. A mix of management level (senior & middle) is usually beneficial for the exchange during the course. In general, the course targets more middle managers than senior managers. However, it is essential that all participants possess leadership/management experience in a DIFU context so that they can draw from their own experience during the course activities and reflections.

The program can be divided into three parts. The first part (Day 1-2) focuses on the context, self-reflection and awareness. The second part (days 2-4) focuses on leading, building, and strengthening teams. The third part (days 4-5) focuses on the way forward.

The program is loosely based on Theory U developed by Otto Scharmer. However, it does not follow all of the steps of Theory U and also integrates other leadership theories and concepts found specifically relevant for the DIFU context.

Modules:

• Context (DIFU)
• Reflecting on personal perceptions;
• Analysing personal leadership patterns;
• Emotional needs and motives
• Leading & building diverse teams;
• Intercultural communication;
• Strengthening team resilience;
• Creating a team vision;
• Empowerment and motivation of self and others;
• Providing and receiving coaching und feedback;
• Strategies for self-care as a leader.

In order to participate in the course, you must be nominated by a member of the German Training Partner Platform.

Expenses:

There are no course fees costs. Participants are responsible for paying their own travel costs. 

The costs for accommodation and meals during the course week amount to € 194.

Location:

This course takes place at the Baden-Württemberg Police Academy in Böblingen.

ZIF Trainings:

ZIF Trainings are practice-oriented and reflect the operational reality of peace operations and (post-)conflict areas through exercises, role plays and scenario-based courses. Moreover, our trainings focus on the main areas of competence outlined in the ZIF Concept “Civilian Expert”. Additionally, we base our courses on contemporary concepts of adult education and peer learning. We try to create a joint learning space in which participants and the training team can exchange freely and critically, and which provides room for self-reflection. Another important goal of our courses is to encourage a change of perspective. One way of achieving this is by mainstreaming the comprehensive approach (civilian, police, military), which is made possible through our cooperation within the German Training Partner Platform.