Leadership Capability for HR Leaders

Welcome to Leadership Capability for HR Leaders, a comprehensive course designed to equip you with cutting-edge, evidence-based strategies for leadership development. In an era where public service challenges are increasingly complex, relying on traditional, individual-centric leadership models is no longer sufficient. Drawing upon extensive research from the UNSW Business Insights Institute and ANZSOG, this course presents a modernized approach to leadership within the Queensland Public Sector and beyond. You will move past the heroic leader narrative to explore leadership as a collective, relational process, empowering you to design frameworks that are collaborative, people-centred, and place-based.

To prepare for the future, we must first address the limitations of the past. This course begins by deconstructing persistent Zombie leadership narratives—outdated ideas that focus solely on designated authority figures. Instead, you will be introduced to the concept of leadership as a social process defined by interactions that produce Direction, Alignment, and Commitment (DAC). You will learn that effective leadership is not just about a person in charge, but about fostering environments where these three outcomes can emerge through collaboration and shared responsibility.

Central to this curriculum is the Proposed Leadership Architecture, adapted from the Wallace 2D model. This framework dissects development across two critical dimensions: the Locus of Leadership, moving from individual to collective competencies, and the Maturation of Mindset, guiding learners from basic skills to complex meaning-making. By exploring the intersection of these dimensions, you will master four distinct leadership contexts: Managing, Relational Leadership, Systems Leadership, and System Stewardship. This nuanced approach moves away from a one-size-fits-all methodology, allowing HR leaders to tailor development strategies to specific organizational needs.

Understanding the theory is only the first step; this course places a heavy emphasis on application and measurement. You will examine specific mechanisms for developing relational competencies, such as inclusive leadership practices, psychological safety, and the Leader-Member Exchange (LMX). Furthermore, you will explore how to facilitate mindset maturation through constructive development theories and narrative approaches. The course also covers advanced measurement techniques, including Social Network Analysis, to visualize influence and connectivity within your agency, ensuring you can translate scientific concepts into tangible practice.

Throughout this course, you will gain the expertise to:

• Critique historical Great Man theories and adopt a process-based view of leadership focused on Direction, Alignment, and Commitment (DAC).
• Implement the Wallace 2D Leadership Architecture to navigate the four contexts of Managing, Relational Leadership, Systems Leadership, and System Stewardship.
• Distinguish between horizontal skill acquisition and vertical mindset maturation to support leader development at all levels.
• Utilize relational leadership strategies to foster psychological safety, trust, and collective intelligence within teams.
• Apply evidence-based measurement tools, such as validated scales and social network analysis, to assess leadership efficacy and network health.
• Overcome structural barriers to diversity and implement inclusive practices that prevent benevolent exclusion and promote equitable progression.
• Design and drive organizational change by managing resistance and fostering a culture of shared ownership.

By the end of this course, you will possess a deep understanding of how to shift your organization from passive compliance to active development. Whether you are addressing the unique cultures of different agencies or navigating the complexities of the Public Sector Act, you will be equipped to secure a pipeline of capable leaders. Join us to learn how to steward your organization into the future with a leadership framework that is as dynamic and complex as the challenges you face.