AIPM701 Graduate Diploma in Executive Leadership
Subject Overviews & Learning Outcomes
- S1 Contemporary Leadership
- S2 Power, Politics & Policy Development
- S3 Executive Leadership Development
- S4 Strategic Policy Review
S1 Contemporary Leadership
Subject Overview
This subject is completed through distance study. This distance subject is essentially a reading course which has been designed around a number of leadership-related topics that broaden students’ understanding of the range of issues confronting public safety and emergency services leaders now and in the future. The subject stimulates students to think about leadership, and the power and the role of senior executives. The subject asks students to analyse the characteristics and performance traits of successful executives (including the political, military, corporate, emergency service and public sectors) in the context of global, national and community trends and influences. Using a sound theoretical basis, students are asked to critically reflect on the application of theory within their own organisation, and to develop their understanding of what effective leadership is, and how it can transform an organisation.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Recite key historical shifts in leadership practice and theory;
- Recall the names and achievements of key leaders;
- Refer to theorists renowned for leadership model design;
- Recognise and promote approved, positive and ethical leadership characteristics and performance traits;
- Explain leadership competency elements and can assess others for evidence of leadership capability;
- Use tools to identify needs and extend own and others leadership;
- Recognise ethical leadership within any environment, and delineate ‘right’ and ‘wrong’;
- Interpret thinking patterns across both public and private environments;
- Diagnose power structures and be impervious to untoward persuasion;
- Operate effectively whether engaging in personal, interpersonal, organisational or political levels of interaction;
- Manoeuvre and steer change and trends and overcome issues;
- Comprehend variations between public and private sector organisations, and understand associated best practice benchmarks;
- Operate in a leadership role in their corporation and manage subordinates appropriately.
S2 Power, Politics & Policy Development
Subject Overview
This subject, provided by Charles Sturt University, helps to prepare public safety and emergency services personnel for greater involvement in the public policy process. This subject examines the framework and principles underlying the Australian system of government, examining recent developments in administrative law and public accountability. Additionally, this subject provides students with a key understanding of how leaders in the public sector can make an impact on society through the development of effective policy. Students are exposed to the policy cycle, and are asked to examine the cause and effect between effective planning and successful outcomes for the community. Students are also asked to examine the issue of ineffective policy, and how the policy process must be understood and used to ensure appropriate results.
S3 Executive Leadership Development
Subject Overview
This is delivered by way of a two week residential program. During this program students have the opportunity to identify and examine the scope of strategic leadership and management. This process is aided by course membership that typically includes representatives from a variety of public safety and emergency services organisations from all Australian States and Territories, New Zealand and other overseas organisations. One of the main outcomes of this subject is to improve decision-making, strategic leadership capability and the ability to develop strategic policy options in a variety of situations. The subject adopts a combined theoretical and experiential approach, and invites students to make detailed comparisons between their own organisation and a range of other public and private sector organisations. A key component of this subject is the involvement of senior leaders from a variety of organisations (normally at CEO or deputy CEO level) who provide students with the opportunity to probe, explore, analyse, and synthesise different approaches and ideas.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Refine, select, and use polished and appropriate leadership skills while communicating with Corporate and other leaders;
- Recognise and describe the leadership potential of others;
- Plan for the furthering of their own leadership potential;
- Illustrate awareness of the impact of leadership on corporate performance;
- Positively position their own leadership capacity, reputation and image.
S4 Strategic Policy Review (SPR)
Subject Overview
This is a major organisational research paper, which is developed over six months by distance mode following the conclusion of the residential program. The SPR, in its final form, is presented as a consultant report of approximately 5000 words in length, and is based upon original analysis by the participant. The paper presents recommendations and an implementation strategy capable of making a major contribution to organisational strategy and operational effectiveness. A key aspect of the SPR is that it should be capable of immediate application in the corporate environment. Outstanding research papers are presented by their authors to a conference of emergency services and public safety Commissioners.
The Strategic Policy Review requires students to demonstrate their capacity to provide leadership in addressing a major issue confronting contemporary public safety and emergency service organisations through conducting an organisational policy review. It requires that students demonstrate both original thinking, research skills and vision for the future. Completion of this subject provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the practical development and execution of policy within their own organisations. In particular, it enables students to link their understanding of effective strategic leadership with the policy process and how leaders use policy to achieve lasting impacts.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Productively interact with top level policy decision-makers;
- Develop policy;
- Understand methods for evaluating policy effectiveness;
- Make links between legislation and budgets;
- Assess corporate problems and develop resolutions;
- Consider the impact of policy on management and the transfer to operational services;
- Develop best-practice options for resolving policy issues and other industry problems;
- Formulate policy proposals together with a policy implementation plan;
- Use skills gained from the program to improve their own career positioning.