The LDM Program’s
Leadership Development Approach
The LDM program’s leadership development approach was based on the belief that leaders can be nurtured, leadership skills can be learned and that this process can be facilitated both formally and informally. While some individuals may be born leaders, others can develop certain traits which can enable them to better face the complex challenges to the delivery of quality family planning and reproductive health services in many countries. The LDM program’s approach recognized that leadership development is not the result of a one-off training, but a continuing journey of growth, self-reflection and relationship building.
critical elements
Some of the critical elements of the LDM program’s leadership development process were:
- Vision Building: Leadership requires a clearly articulated vision for the future and the ability to inspire others. Leadership for reproductive health requires a clear vision to reduce the impact of reproductive health mortality and morbidity and empower people through reproductive and sexual rights.
- Understanding the Context: Leadership requires a person to critically reflect on the role that history and context play on the challenges faced in any situation. Leadership within the reproductive health context requires both a technical and social understanding of reproductive health, with an awareness of the complexity of the issues. The social context should also include the understanding of the socio-economic and political structure and its functions, under various circumstances in the lives of affected individuals.
- Values: Leadership requires a person to believe in equality of outcomes, and therefore requires a sense of justice and equity when developing strategies to reach the most vulnerable and marginalized women and children. It also requires respect and empathy for all people, high moral standards and the ability to model the way for those around.
- Self-Knowledge: Leadership requires a person to be self-aware and reflective. It requires them to be aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, and for them to have the skill of giving as well as receiving feedback. Leadership requires commitment, authenticity and openness to continuous learning.
- Skills: Leadership is about working and relating to people so that collective aims and goals can be achieved. It is about empowering others to build their own vision and supporting them to achieve it. Communication, teamwork, management, conflict resolution, critical and analytical thinking, and negotiation are important skills for leaders to develop.
Through leadership development training, Leadership Fellows were exposed to many of these elements. A participatory learning style ensures that the learning engages the whole person, and triggers a process of reflection that can be on going as the Leadership Fellows continues in their daily lives.
Last Updated: June 2011