Looking beyond the horizon: Founding an executive leadership program for senior library managers in Australasia

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an overview of the inaugural CAVAL Horizon Executive Leadership Program from the commencement of planning in 2006 through to the graduation of the first cohort in February 2009.

Design/methodology/approach

In February 2009, the inaugural CAVAL Horizon Executive Leadership Program (Horizon) graduated its first cohort of 12 senior library and information managers from Australia and New Zealand. The inaugural Horizon offered an integrated program of executive learning and development inspired by lighthouse leadership programs within Australia and overseas. The four month Horizon program included two residential workshops (the first at Werribee Park outside Melbourne and the second in Sydney), individual projects, unprecedented access to industry leaders from within the library sector and CEO's from large private companies, and a highly successful series of coaching tele‐workshops. Following their graduation from the program, Horizon alumni have used an e‐list and other networking opportunities to form a strong and mutually supportive community of practice.

Findings

The paper shares a range of insights about the development and facilitation of the program and discusses the critical lessons learned in relation to future executive programs of this type.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates illustrates that Horizon is Australasia's first and currently only executive program specifically designed to prepare senior library and information managers for appointments at director‐level and above.

Citation

Sayers, R. and Talvé, A. (2009), "Looking beyond the horizon: Founding an executive leadership program for senior library managers in Australasia", Library Management, Vol. 30 No. 8/9, pp. 509-523. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120911006485