Joel Carlton from the University of Hertfordshire discovered the power of role-play and peer learning in our Preparing for Senior Strategic Leadership programme.
Joel Carlton never expected to become a fan of role-play exercises.
As Deputy Dean of Hertfordshire Business School at the University of Hertfordshire, he had always been “slightly uncomfortable with the notion of role play.” But his recent experience on Advance HE’s Preparing for Senior Strategic Leadership programme has transformed his perspective entirely.
“I’ve got to say it was done tremendously well and I’m now a complete convert!” Joel laughs.
Finding the right programme
Joel’s pathway to Advance HE began with a search for professional development opportunities that would support his career progression. He’d heard positive feedback about Advance HE from his Deputy Vice Chancellor who had completed the Top Management Programme.
“For me, Preparing for Senior Strategic Leadership was the one that made the most sense in terms of the content and where I’m at in my career,” he explains. “It was the right time, the right place and the right programme.”
The power of peer connection
What Joel didn’t anticipate was how valuable the connections with fellow participants would prove to be. The cohort included leaders from various university departments – some from research backgrounds, others from professional services – all at similar levels but with different areas of responsibility.
“It was just helpful to diagnose what we were trying to achieve from a different lens,” Joel says. “It helped me to see my own leadership through their challenges and the issues that they were up against.”
The bonds formed during the programme have endured beyond the classroom. “We’re still in a WhatsApp group now,” he reveals. “It’s been really helpful hearing stories from other institutions and helped to inform my own leadership practice.”
Embracing innovative delivery methods
The Preparing for Senior Strategic Leadership programme’s approach to role-play proved to be a revelation for Joel. Two distinct methods were employed: peer-to-peer role-play among participants, and sessions with professional actors responding to real-life scenarios prompted by the group.
Joel says, “We did role play amongst colleagues on the programme and doing it in that way was helpful – understanding problems colleagues have and problems that I had and sharing it in that way.
“The other really great bit was the use of actors who were responding to prompts that we were giving – real prompts from colleagues in the room.”
The natural and informative way programme facilitators Jean Chandler and Mark Adderley facilitated these sessions converted Joel completely. “I thought it was brilliant,” he says, praising their excellent delivery approach.
Investment and commitment
Joel says the key to maximising the programme’s value was simple: time and full engagement. Substantial pre-reading was required which he emphasises was worth completing beforehand.
“I think you probably get away with not doing it, but I don’t think you get quite as much out of the time that you have,” he notes.
Equally important was being fully present during the sessions – avoiding calls, emails and other distractions.
“It’s a room full of busy people, but I think everyone was quite disciplined,” Joel observes. “For me it was great to fully immerse myself away from responsibility, just for a day or two.”
Lasting impact
The influence of Preparing for Senior Strategic Leadership on Joel’s own leadership approach has been profound and ongoing. The experience has enhanced his capacity for reflection, particularly through understanding others’ perspectives and challenges.
“I’ve become more reflective in that way, which I think has been really helpful to me,” he explains. The programme also included a coaching element delivered by an external facilitator, which he found particularly beneficial.
Looking forward
The success of the Preparing for Senior Strategic Leadership programme has reinforced Joel’s confidence in Advance HE as his go-to provider for professional development. He says, “For me, it’s now thinking about what next. And again, I would always turn to Advance HE first for those sorts of solutions.”
