Redesigning Leadership – Self Determination Theory
The Leadership Development Program (LDP) is drawn from self-determination theory (SDT), which is a psychological framework that engages with the fundamental needs humans have towards self-motivation. View the SDT website HERE.
The program was developed by a team of interdisciplinary academics at the University of Wollongong in 2014 for specific use with and by emergency service volunteer leaders. The program was piloted with volunteer leaders from the NSW RFS and NSW SES in late 2014 and was funded by the University of Wollongong, Global Challenges Seed Grant (35%) and the BNHCRC (65%). The LDP provides leaders with concrete strategies and skills to motivate their volunteers.
The LDP consists of a training and research component. The training consists of:
- a one day workshop focusing on knowledge development and awareness raising,
- on-the-job application of the learning supported by online content and
- a one day ‘wrap up’ session to reinforce knowledge and practice and consolidate learning (see diagram below).
The research consists of:
Surveys for leaders and their direct reports at several periods before and after the workshops to evaluate the effectiveness of the LDP and investigate whether the leadership intervention can affect positive changes in both the leaders’ leadership style (leader reported) and their direct reports’ perceptions of the leader and reported job satisfaction (intention to leave, job satisfaction, basic psychological need satisfaction).
Photo: LDP workshop, November 2015,Sydney
Statistical analyses of the pilot study in 2014 showed that:
Through attending the program leaders learned to adopt autonomy supportive over coercive approaches to leading their volunteers. The leadership skills of NSW RFS and NSW SES leaders successfully improved after attending the program.
NSW RFS and NSW SES volunteers who’s needs are satisfied (competence, belonging and autonomy) and who’s leaders take an autonomy supportive (vs controlling) approach are more satisfied with their volunteering job and are less likely to want to leave.
The Leadership Development Program is designed and delivered by:
- Dr Michael Jones (Faculty of Business and BNHCRC Project Leader)
- Vivien Forner (PhD candidate in the Faculty of Business)
- Nick Popov (PhD candidate in the Faculty of Business)
- Dr Dominique Parrish (Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health)
- Dr Joakim Eidenfalk (Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts)
- Dr Senevi Kiridena (Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences)
- Dr Yoke Berry (Project Manager)