Abstract:
In the current turbulent business climate, the need for well-developed leaders, that can handle the internal and external corporate pressure, is increasing There are a number of established leadership development programs but not many that make use of experiential learning techniques. More recently, there has been an increase in Equine Assisted Leadership Development (EALD) Programmes in the world and in South Africa. There is evidence that Equine Assisted Programmes can have a positive lasting effect on the participants of the programme. The aim of this study is to evaluate an equine assisted leadership development programme. The focus is on the leader's behaviour change, the impact it has on their leadership style, and their perceived relationship with their followers.
Qualitative, exploratory researched methods were used to gain new insights into the behaviour change of the leaders after they had attended an Equine Assisted Leadership Development programme. A total of 13 semi- structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with leaders and senior leaders, 12 to 36 months after they attended the programme. The participants work in the mining industry. Each interview was analysed by means of thematic content analysis.
The leaders that attended the EALD courses shared their real-life experiences and the perceived impact the programme had on their leadership skills, behaviour and values. What emerged from the findings was an Equine Assisted Leadership Development Process Flow and Impact Model, which documented the journey of a leader taking part in an EALD programme, starting at the pre EALD course, through the process, to an end outcome resulting in improved leaderships skills, behaviour and a shift in values.
The final outcome of the programme is illustrated in an adapted model which divides impact areas into three groups: namely impact on the individual, their relationship with others and their team. Each grouping describes the change in leadership skills, behaviour and a shift in values that was enacted in the specific areas.
