Key Ideas
Ulysses is the innovative leadership development program for the partners at Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) that is based on the idea that experiencing the positive impact of one’s contribution to environment and community generates sensitivity and learning that are carried forth in other aspects of work. Ulysses is a leadership development program designed to build a network of global leaders for PWC. The main aim of this experiential leadership development program is to develop an understanding in future PWC leaders of the firm’s responsibility toward planet and people, and then to integrate this sensitivity in the firm’s strategic business focus.
Innovation
Ulysses was born in 2000 out of a business need to develop an ongoing ‘leadership bench’ that can effectively operate in a changing global economy. It was also aimed at attuning the future leaders toward more sustainable business models. The following objectives were defined for the program:
• Develop responsible leaders who can take leadership positions in a high performing global organization.
• Build a global network of PwC leadership who understand value-based relationships with diverse stakeholders and create a sustainable brand for the firm by the quality of these relationships
• Help the leaders understand changing role of business in influencing well-being of economic, political and social environment and collaborate with stakeholders to create sustainable success through responsible worldwide practices
• To develop a model of leadership that will create responsible next generation leaders and make this model a framework for all developmental initiatives across the firm.
Ulysses comprises of five learning modules including an eight week project assignment where the participants work in multi-cultural teams in developing countries in collaboration with social organizations in these countries. The five learning modules are preparation and selection (on the job), foundation (residential), in the field projects (fieldwork), review (residential), follow-up and network (on the job).
An eight-week field project is selected based on geographic location, scope of the project, skills contribution, learning environment and available support. The success stories for these projects are plenty and are testimonies to the positive impact of the program.
Impact
The impact is wide spread and is visible at the individual and organizational level. The impact is also felt by the positive changes made in the community. All who go through this program define the experience as ‘life changing’. Broadening sensitivity toward different cultures and diversity, desire to make a positive impact in the world, and empathy toward others are some of the immediate benefits.
At the organizational level the impact is visible in the alignment of the ‘transformation’ and ‘learning’ of the future leaders with the strategic focus adopted by the firm. Participant stories delineate many take-aways like understanding the global nature of issues such as gender diversity in organizations, understanding of cultural differences in approach to problem solving, learning to communicate clearly in a global context, importance of actions and walking your talk, believing in one’s potential to make a valuable change and most importantly building a network within the firm by working on projects with participants from all over the world.
A direct impact is also experienced in the communities in which these leaders work. Whether it is reviewing a UN development project in East Timor to provide community stability and employment in the war–torn nation, or living for two months in a tent in Zambia to work on a local economic development project, each story changes the community and changes the executive teams going through this experience. Some of the participants continue their contribution toward community development even after the completion of the program.
Inspiration
Ulysses was inspired by the hope to chart a continual journey of learning for the future leaders of the firm. The formal program is the first trigger of a personal transformation in the participants. The metamorphosis in the leaders is an on-going process, encouraged by the firm in the form of the Ulysses Network- a global network of Ulysses participants that share, reflect and support each other toward responsible leadership. The investment in building a cadre of global leaders and sustainable communities is more than justified for the firm. Through learning how to create shared values, understanding and collaboration with multiple stakeholders and sectors these leaders are able to deliver responsible and sustainable business solutions.
Ulysses is the innovative leadership development program for the partners at Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) that is based on the idea that experiencing the positive impact of one’s contribution to environment and community generates sensitivity and learning that are carried forth in other aspects of work. Ulysses is a leadership development program designed to build a network of global leaders for PWC. The main aim of this experiential leadership development program is to develop an understanding in future PWC leaders of the firm’s responsibility toward planet and people, and then to integrate this sensitivity in the firm’s strategic business focus.
Innovation
Ulysses was born in 2000 out of a business need to develop an ongoing ‘leadership bench’ that can effectively operate in a changing global economy. It was also aimed at attuning the future leaders toward more sustainable business models. The following objectives were defined for the program:
• Develop responsible leaders who can take leadership positions in a high performing global organization.
• Build a global network of PwC leadership who understand value-based relationships with diverse stakeholders and create a sustainable brand for the firm by the quality of these relationships
• Help the leaders understand changing role of business in influencing well-being of economic, political and social environment and collaborate with stakeholders to create sustainable success through responsible worldwide practices
• To develop a model of leadership that will create responsible next generation leaders and make this model a framework for all developmental initiatives across the firm.
Ulysses comprises of five learning modules including an eight week project assignment where the participants work in multi-cultural teams in developing countries in collaboration with social organizations in these countries. The five learning modules are preparation and selection (on the job), foundation (residential), in the field projects (fieldwork), review (residential), follow-up and network (on the job).
An eight-week field project is selected based on geographic location, scope of the project, skills contribution, learning environment and available support. The success stories for these projects are plenty and are testimonies to the positive impact of the program.
Impact
The impact is wide spread and is visible at the individual and organizational level. The impact is also felt by the positive changes made in the community. All who go through this program define the experience as ‘life changing’. Broadening sensitivity toward different cultures and diversity, desire to make a positive impact in the world, and empathy toward others are some of the immediate benefits.
At the organizational level the impact is visible in the alignment of the ‘transformation’ and ‘learning’ of the future leaders with the strategic focus adopted by the firm. Participant stories delineate many take-aways like understanding the global nature of issues such as gender diversity in organizations, understanding of cultural differences in approach to problem solving, learning to communicate clearly in a global context, importance of actions and walking your talk, believing in one’s potential to make a valuable change and most importantly building a network within the firm by working on projects with participants from all over the world.
A direct impact is also experienced in the communities in which these leaders work. Whether it is reviewing a UN development project in East Timor to provide community stability and employment in the war–torn nation, or living for two months in a tent in Zambia to work on a local economic development project, each story changes the community and changes the executive teams going through this experience. Some of the participants continue their contribution toward community development even after the completion of the program.
Inspiration
Ulysses was inspired by the hope to chart a continual journey of learning for the future leaders of the firm. The formal program is the first trigger of a personal transformation in the participants. The metamorphosis in the leaders is an on-going process, encouraged by the firm in the form of the Ulysses Network- a global network of Ulysses participants that share, reflect and support each other toward responsible leadership. The investment in building a cadre of global leaders and sustainable communities is more than justified for the firm. Through learning how to create shared values, understanding and collaboration with multiple stakeholders and sectors these leaders are able to deliver responsible and sustainable business solutions.
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