Leadership Development Programme a Success – Vancouver, Canada

Updated 2 December 2008

The weekend of 28 to 30 June 2008 set in motion the new season of summer as The World Federation in partnership with NASIMCO hosted a 3 day Leadership Development Training Programme (LDP) in Whistler, Canada – two hours north of Vancouver.

22 men and women aged 25 to 50 participated in the LDP course whose primary aim is to develop leadership capacity across the global Muslim Communities – creating leaders who will enable our communities to develop strategies to contribute fully for the common good of both the Muslim and wider society. The facilitators of this course were Dr. Akber Mohamedali and Br. Kassam Jaffer of the United Kingdom.

DAY ONE         

• The focus of the day was ‘visioning - how to develop a Visioning model at a personal level as well as a community level

DAY TWO

• The focus of the second day was Emotional Intelligence and understanding the self;
• The participants underwent the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment, a psychometric questionnaire designed to measure psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and how they make decisions
• The aim of the MBTI assessment was to understand oneself better and thereby understand others, which in turn helps people to work with others effectively, especially if that person has different ways of achieving the same goals
• In the evening, the group watched the movie, Iqbal, which showed all the different facets of team building as well as the materials covered

DAY THREE

• Covered political intelligence, conflict resolution, giving and receiving feedback, and also different modules and styles of adult learning

The course was very well run and the instructors were very professional and knew their material. The presentations were dynamic and informative. Each day began with a review of the sessions from the day before and it was interesting to see the presentations zero in on issues.

At the end of the course the participants wrote a letter to them selves and set up goals on what they were going to take away from this course. These letters are going to be mailed back to them in Decembers after Hajj.

FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS
Comments were gathered from the participants at the conclusion of the course. The following are some remarks that were received:

What I liked the most was…

• The methodology employed in the sessions really appealed to my learning style.  The exercises were relevant in illustrating the ideas presented
• The flexibility, consideration and safe environment of the course; additionally I feel inspired by knowing more yet I realize that I don’t know much
• The whole structure was absolutely more than my expectation
• Activity based approach
• The pace of the programme; the positiveness and openness of the group in this setting
• I found out my blind spots and what I need to do to become an effective leader
• Working together with others, knowing myself through MBTI, presentation on political intelligence

The message I would give to those who did not attend the course is...

• There is lot of self building that can occur here
• Try and attend this course because it will make you aware of yourself first (that’s what you need to know before you can make a difference outside)
• The program has given me the tools, the courage and the insight on myself that I never would have thought I could achieve in my whole life
• This is a valuable session for anyone who wants to make a difference in the societies where they live
• Inspiration for change
• Very effective; gave practical advice and teaching that I can use at work, home and in the community

As a result of attending this programme, the one thing I will start doing is…

• Change from taking my tasks too seriously, pursue my goals which I thought I could not do before, try to turn my desires and dreams into reality
• Value everyone for who they are
• Appreciate and respect diversity not just in people, but in thought as well
• Learn to reflect and not be afraid to take risks

As a result of attending this programme, the one thing I will stop doing is…

• ‘Pass the buck’ -  especially “conflict” issues; instead try to resolve
• Shy away from opportunities
• Judge others, as everyone is an individual in their own way
• I will stop procrastinating,  “Willow in the mire”
• I will stop insisting to remain in my comfort zone

Dr Ahmed Hassam, President of The World Federation commented:  "The LDP is the first programme we have launched in North America in partnership with NASIMCO.  The feedback we have received from the participants about this course highlights that they have found it useful and an eye opener.  The organisers should be congratulated to have taken this bold initiative and I am glad that under the leadership of NASIMCO more are being planned for the communities in Toronto and Los Angeles.  I pray to Allah (SWT) for their success.”