Case Study: Fiona Maxwell
In May 2007, Fiona Maxwell, General Manager, Next Wave Festival attended the Emotionally Intelligent Leader program supported through a scholarship from the Australia Business Arts Foundation and the Margaret Lawrence Bequest. Led by Program Director Clarence Da Gama Pinto, the program was run over three days in a residential format at the Mt Eliza campus.
In preparation for the program an extensive 360-degree feedback process commenced prior, where staff, board, stakeholders and colleagues of the Next Wave Festival were surveyed about Fiona's management capability.
When the program began the feedback was benchmarked against the world's top business leaders and had plenty of capacity for context. Participants then all had one-on-one coaching sessions with psychologists to begin the unpacking of the findings.
The second and third days were spent in self analysis and action planning. Participants explored their emotions and those of others in developing themselves as stronger managers and business leaders. All were equipped with innovative concepts in leadership, management, communication and change implementation.
"The concepts formed fantastic starting blocks for positive personal growth. The whole experience paralleled a spiritual retreat where I spent three whole days focusing on myself and my personal development. The group was led by a team of world class instructors who espoused management theories and practical examples from Fortune 500 companies relevant to the chain of discussion," she said.
At Mt Eliza executive education, all facilitators are committed to lifelong learning, in touch with changing trends and reflect leading business thinking and practice. Drawing upon their continuing research and leading edge insights they focus on the emerging issues that are most important to businesses today. One aspect of the program uses theatre and performance as tools for discussing management concepts.
"The performative elements of the course were stellar. The activities are not easy, and they shake you out of your comfort zone. The whole experience was made all the more inspiring and supportive by the Mt Eliza environment - 5-star accommodation, five meals a day, and dawn walks on the beach in a spectacular setting. The resources provided were extensive and relevant," she said.
All of Mt Eliza executive education programs provide a blend of real-world relevance, and practical application giving participants unparalleled opportunities for growth. Programs are ‘high touch' to provide participants with clear feedback, a 1:1 focus and assistance with creating personal action plans that they can immediately implement on return to their workplace. Managers are equipped with a tool kit that enables them to actively apply their learning in their organisation for tangible results.
When Fiona returned to the workplace she immediately implemented an action plan which included sharing with her team particular tools to equip them in their roles. Today she is building more successful teams and is a stronger business leader who continues to inspire team members.
Mt Eliza executive education provides outstanding program design and delivery exemplified by the continual high rating participants place on their experiences.
"I feel an immense sense of privilege and appreciation to have been given such an extraordinary opportunity. It is a luxury to be immersed in such a world-class environment with the prestige and history of Mt Eliza executive education," she said.
