BackgroundIPA’s women’s leadership program began in 1990 with the presentation of a four-part series entitled “How to Be a Powerful Voice in Decision-Making.” The response was overwhelming—167 women registered, and WLDP was launched. Together with its core-planning team that included representatives from the University of Delaware and nonprofit groups, IPA staff began planning a two-day retreat that was devoted entirely to leadership. This process has evolved into WLDP’s three-phase leadership training experience. Although its major focus is on women in public administration, WLDP has offered Phase I to women in nonprofits, as well as variations of the program to some state agencies and a number of male and female staff at the University. WLDP has even entended its training outside the U.S. See article.
“WLDP adheres to the philosophy that “leadership should be more participative than directive, more enabling than performing.”
—Mary D. Poole
WLDP staff believe that leaders are more “made” than “born.” Current leadership research indicates that there are few genetic characteristics that influence one’s ability to become a leader. Their role in the program is not to teach one how to become a leader, but to help one learn how to become a more effective leader. From their perspective, leadership is a life-long journey. WLDP can help you acquire the knowledge, skills, feedback, and opportunities necessary for personal growth.
Wanting to lead and believing you can lead are only the departure points on the path to leadership. Leadership is an art, a performing art. And, in the art of leadership, the artist’s instrument is self. Ultimately, leadership development is a process of self-development.
—Kouzes & Posner, from The Leadership Challenge
From the beginning, the program has been for women only, not because the material is gender-specific but primarily because it is critical to provide women with a “safe” environment within which to discuss issues and share information.
Unless the environment is safe, little learning is likely to take place. If the environment does not feel safe, large amounts of personal energy will go into protecting the self and little will be left for inquiry, information processing and analysis.
—Milano & Ullius, from Designing Powerful Training
Completion of the training program does not guarantee instantaneous leadership skills. Like any other process, it is a life-long endeavor that requires individual effort, coupled with the desire to change and grow, in order to make a difference.
