Leading with Consciousness

3rd October 2022

UKZN Extended Learning

– by Nkosingiphile Ntshangase

On the 28th of September 2022, UKZN Extended Learning (UEL) launched its coveted Management Development Programme (MDP). This programme aims to build on the knowledge of individuals in leadership looking to equip themselves to deal with contemporary issues in the ever-evolving business world. The main objective of the MDP is to provide managers with a thorough understanding of business to improve an organisation’s products and services. The module also addressed proactive growth and its importance for businesses and leading with empathy and conscientiousness. 

A key focus area of the first module was change management and its implications on industry standards and the work environment. The change process within an organisation often encounters resistance, especially regarding management and leadership. Therefore, leaders must systematically facilitate organisational change to mitigate possible resistance. Change can be perceived in many ways by different employees, and correct assessments are sometimes not intuitively obvious and require careful consideration. For a company to succeed, its work environment is critical. A positive working environment motivates employees, which leads to higher productivity. The benefits of nurturing a positive work environment are many and manifest themselves in lower employee turnover and increased output. Our MDP emphasises the relationships between employees and managers, supporting the building of trust and establishing a stable work environment.

Change is almost inevitable across industries, and as leadership changes, a re-energised generation of managers enters with novel ideas that may disrupt the workflow. The process can be intimidating, forcing organisations to leave their comfort zones. Nevertheless, change can be good with many benefits, such as maintaining a competitive edge and remaining relevant in the business environment. Bringing about change encourages innovation, develops skills, develops staff, leads to better business opportunities, and increases employees’ morale.

Some aspects of business are out of management’s control. Hence, honing in on the elements within reach regarding the environment one presides over is essential. Effective leadership relies on a manager’s ability to produce positive results within the organisational area they are responsible for. The MDP helps delegates conjure realistic expectations in their leadership vision, thus affecting the outlook of their personal paradigm. These skills are essential in the risk-taking aspect of being in leadership, especially with the disruptive innovations that are constantly occurring. Embracing innovation might meet some resistance at first. However, it is necessary to stand a chance in any industry as competition keeps getting more aggressive to be the ‘next big thing’ on the market.

Please click here to learn more about our Management Development Programme.

You can also contact us directly for more information on the programme:

Thobeka Malinga

T: +27 31 260 1234

E: MalingaT1@ukzn.ac.za