"The Desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world" - John Le Carré

 

Background

 

Far too much executive development has historically focused on MBAs, management development programmes, consultancy reports, case studies and other forms of formal ‘classroom’ training and learning.  Unsurprisingly, these layouts only really allow for a repetition of facts with a very strong “I-tell-you-listen” format and no attempt to relate the information discussed to personal business circumstances, problems or activities (Meier, 2000).  The focus on ANY learning should be for the attendees to acquire something, not just for the teacher to teach something (Smith & Doren, 2004).  It is essential that there is a genuine transfer of knowledge from a learning experience back into the work place; otherwise, what is the point?