Leading for Innovation
Got problems? Oh yes you do!
Successful organizations depend on individuals’ ability to creatively see beyond the obvious, collaboratively problem-solve, and create conditions that encourage innovation. Participants in this course will learn basic principles and practices of creativity and design for innovation, advancing their leadership efficacy. The course emphasizes practical tools to develop individual and organizational capacity for innovation, providing their organization with new approaches and new possibilities. This course is offered in three, one-day sessions over three consecutive weeks.
Day 1: Creative, divergent thinking you!
- Class one introduces the creative person, process, and product, emphasizing the dispositions for creativity and design thinking, and the tools for developing those capacities. Problem-solving, problem-finding, and a number of innovation processes are examined, including idea-generating techniques and approaches successfully used by organizations. Participants are encouraged to examine their own leadership and organizational contexts, and asked to apply course concepts to their organization.
Day 2: L is for leadership, but P is for process
- Building off of day 1, this class integrates the personal dispositions in design thinking with the processes of innovation to examine a variety of unique approaches and ways of seeing the problem. User-centered and human-focused techniques enable leaders to more deeply understand internal and external clients, and consequently design a more appealing and effective organization.
Day 3: Developing a culture of innovation
- Leadership is a process of influencing others toward a common vision, but it also includes developing a culture that fosters activities aligned with the organization values and mission. This class examines the role of the leader in crafting a culture of creativity and innovation, enabling the next generation of leaders to develop and thrive.
Date: April 20th, 27th, & May 4th, 2012
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Community Service Building
100 West 10th Street
Room 105
Wilmington, DE 19801
Cost: $400 (includes breakfast and coffee each day)
Instructor: Tony Middlebrooks, Ph.D.
About the Instructor: Dr. Middlebrooks is Associate Professor in the Leadership Program in the School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware. He helped develop the doctoral program in leadership as a professor at Cardinal Stritch University, and spent ten years prior in non-profit leadership positions, culminating in writing, consulting, and presenting on a variety of leadership topics. Dr. Middlebrooks teaches courses in leadership theory, decision-making, organizational leadership, and research methodology. His current research interests focus on innovative methods of leadership education and the integration of leadership, creativity, and design thinking. He also facilitates the Leadership portion of CCRS' Nonprofit Management Certificate Course. Here are a few things class participants had to say about Tony's instruction:
"Extremely relevent material and thoughtful presentation"
"Dynamic instructor!"
"Very knowledgeable, engaged the group, got me enthused and curious"
"Fantastic, great presentation"
"This segment was terrific. Tony is great!"
To register, click here. For more information or if you have questions contact Carolyn Petrak by email or call (302)573-4475. Checks can be made payable to the University of Delaware and sent to the attention of Carolyn Petrak at 100 West 10th Street, Suite 812, Wilmington, DE 19801. Unfortunately, at this time we cannot accept credit card payments.
Parking is available for free in the Community Service Parking Garage on the Corner of 11th and Orange Streets in Wilmington.