IRDNC team transforms its leadership skills

‘Giving of oneself’ is a familiar concept to the staff of organizations like IRDNC, who spend most of their working lives facilitating community processes, and building the capacity of others, in often difficult conditions. Thanks to WWF’s sustainable Communities Partnership, 15 field-based IRDNC staff and 32 conservancy managers from across Namibia, along with staff of NACSO (Namibian Association of Community Based Natural Resource Management Support Organisations) partners and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, had a rare opportunity to receive an investment into their own personal and professional growth when they completed a year-long Certificate in Transformational Leadership with the African Leadership Institute.

Fifteen IRDNC staff (six from Kunene and the rest from Zambezi), 32 conservancy managers and co-workers from partner organizations and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, participated in the African Leadership Institute’s Certificate in Transformational Leadership course that took place over the past year. During three contact sessions, combined with home-work and mentoring, they developed their skills in themes including developing integrity, team building, managing money and achieving financial freedom, planning, goal-setting, accountability and transparency, conflict resolution, networking and partnerships, achieving a work-life balance, earning trust and lifting people to a higher level, maintaining values and communication.

The training, which was funded by WWF’s Sustainable Communities Partnership, is unique in that it take a holistic approach, combining personal and professional development. Participants are encouraged to make immediate changes in their personal lives that have long-term impacts on their professional lives. Another exceptional aspect of the training was that it provided a platform for multiple organisations all working in Namibia’s national conservancy programme, including government, to build connections and strengthen their collaboration.

Despite some initial reticence – especially after participants who expected standard management training discovered that the course was business unusual in that they had to unearth and address personal barriers impacting on their lives – the course proved to be life changing and deeply touched the lives of IRDNC’s participants.

At the closing ceremony, IRDNC staff recounted how they have improved their ability to prioritise and manage their time, that they have healthier working relationships with colleagues, and that through the process of developing personal budgets and better managing their personal finances, they have been able to dramatically reduce personal debt. It is notable that all of the personal action plans developed during the course by IRDNC staff focused on their work, and on better serving communities – demonstrating their level of commitment and the extent to which their lives are integrated with their work.