Aim:
To enhance understanding of the nature, function and qualities of leadership required in the strategic environment to deliver effective performance across the public and private sectors, including in the international arena.
Content:
The term lasts for 4 weeks. It includes lectures and seminars on:
- The role and functions of leadership at the strategic level
- The psychology of strategic leadership – this may include some case study work on the qualities of leadership
- Effective leadership in the public and private sectors
- Delivering change
Attendance:
In addition to Members on the full year course, Term Four is also available as a separate module for a limited number of high fliers from the private sector and departments other than the British Ministry of Defence, who join as Members for that term only.
The RCDS Course ends with a strategic level international Decision Game which requires Members to apply the strategic thinking and knowledge gained throughout the year. The game runs over 4 days, and is set in the real world in the near future. Members are allocated to teams representing the permanent five (P5) on the UN Security Council and three other states central to the crisis scenario portrayed in the game. Other Members represent the international organisations engaged, including the UN, EU, NATO etc., as required. The game develops in response to a series of catalysts and is essentially free play, moderated as necessary by exercise control. Live media play is included for realism and to reinforce the political accountability of the players (governments) to their domestic constituencies and international opinion.
Members are able to exercise the following skills based on the content of the 4 previous terms:
- Strategic analysis
- Policy and decision making
- Coalition-building and diplomacy
- Maintaining strategy under pressure
- Avoiding unforeseen consequences of decisions on international peace and security