Leadership Signatures

Investments in leadership training and development are based on the well-founded belief that leadership is a learnable skill and not an innate capability. However, these investments are also based on leadership models that fail to properly account for factors that influence behavioral change. Successful behavior change, whether it is dieting, exercise or leadership, requires a consideration of the personal and situational factors that motivate and sustain current and desired behaviors.

The construct of leadership signatures, which captures individual’s responsiveness to situations based on repeated measures of her/his exposure to different situations and behaviors, addresses these limitations and provides a focus for effective leadership development. The new construct was tested in a study of 227 participants, assigned to n = 37 collected data every two weeks for 36 weeks.

Leadership signatures were relatively stable over time, were stronger for those with past leadership experience, and differed significantly between individuals. Leadership signatures predicted emergence as leader of the team, based on peer ratings. The results point to the potential of leadership signatures as a focus for effective leader development. The discussion focuses on the potential for more rigorous testing of contingency models of leadership and more effective leadership development interventions.

Professor Robert (Bob) Wood

Bob is a Professor in the AGSM and Director of Cognicity Pty Ltd. He has extensive experience consulting and advising Australian and international organizations on unconscious bias, adaptive leadership and constructive challenge cultures. His research into the social cognitive dynamics of human adaptivity in problem solving, learning and personality has won various awards including, most recently, the 2016 Jay Forester award for best publication in system dynamics over the previous 5 years (with Shayne Gary). He was a member of the Prime Minister’s, Expert Working on Preparing a Learning Society for the Future (2009), co-developer of the ABC’s online program Active Memory and is Research Director of the Victorian governments Recruit Smarter Initiative. He serves on several government and not-for-profit advisory groups and boards. He is a Fellow of the ASSA, IAAP, APA and ANZAM. Bob completed his undergraduate degree at Curtin University, his PhD at the University of Washington and post-doctoral studies at Stanford University.

This presentation is proudly brought to you by Curtin University's Future of Work Institute.

The Future of Work Institute is a Research Institute that promotes productive and meaningful work as essential foundations of a healthy economy and society. We focus on how people contribute to and benefit from new knowledge and practices. Our mission is to support thriving people and organisations in the digital age.

Tea and Coffee will be served from 2:45pm and the presentation will start at 3:00pm.

FAQs

What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?

By car: CPP Pier Street car park or Wilson Car Park (301 Wellington St, Perth). The cost is $4 per hour for a car and $1.50 per hour for a motorcycle

By train: Perth Station - Murray Street exit. 10 minute walk

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Phone: 0892665451 or 0892664668Email: diane.garnham@curtin.edu.au

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Yes