Different ways to approach a management development course: The ESADE Business School experience

Individual differences in the way people approach a management development program are still a blackbox although they have a significant influence in the learning process and the outcomes. The use of a web platform not only facilitates a customised approach to the learning process but a good opportunity to explore within the blackbox. This study presents the experience of Esade Business School in running a leadership development course offered in a whole range of MBA and Executive Education Programs. The course is supported by a web designed to easy participant's self management of a process that invites them to reflect on their visions and current capabilities and to elaborate a learning plan. The process is inspired in the WSOM experience and includes a wide range of exercises created by Richard Boyatzis. The study is based on the data collected through the web in the period 2006-2008, which gathered information on more than 2000 individuals from 50 different MBA and Exec. Edu Programs. This data include vision statements, declared values and operant philosophies, competencies profiles measured with the Emotional and Social Competencies Inventory (ESCI), learning styles, and learning goals. A main conclusion is that although there are many ways to navigate through the process there is a great coincidence in the consideration of self awareness's raise as the most important outcome. And yet self awareness is the most difficult competency to measure. Other findings are related to the comparisons between individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds, nationalities, and industries, and the difficulties when conducting an outcome research project. Some practical implications can be derived to improve the design and evaluation of management development courses.