The importance of leadership is being brought to the forefront as business schools across the country begin implementing programs to enhance the leadership skills of their students. The Wall Street Journal recently featured a piece titled “M.B.A. Programs Hone ‘Soft Skills’” detailing this recent trend in graduate programs. According to the article, such programs are a response to comments from recruiters and employers suggesting graduates need better leadership skills.
As this becomes a bigger issue, the School of Business at UW-Madison has not only implemented programs at the MBA level, but is providing undergraduates with opportunities to learn these skills and stay ahead of the curve with the newly founded Accenture Leadership Center (ALC).
Steve Schroeder, director of the Business Career Center, says that companies are looking for recruits at both the undergrad and MBA levels with proven leadership experience. “With the ALC, we’re staying ahead of the curve at the undergrad level, giving students the opportunity to learn and apply leadership skills to lead a project, conduct a meeting and be able to demonstrate that to prospective employers.”
The ALC is one of the few programs of its kind in the country, catering to the needs of undergraduates and it is the first center in the School of Business focused on undergraduates. One of the center’s founders and retired Accenture Partner, Glenn Timmermann, BBA ’72, MS ’73, believes this program will help students take the theory and strategy they learn in class and apply it to a real business setting. “The ALC’s Learn, Practice, Lead method allows students to learn hands-on in a practical, safe setting.”
The Learn. Practice. Lead. motto of the ALC summarizes the foundation for the curriculum and goals of the program, offering two separate program tracks. The ALC provides a year-long immersion program consisting of a six-day intensive session, ongoing mentoring sessions guided by coaches and mentors from the private sector and a community service project. These projects focus on providing assistance to the School of Business itself or other community-based organizations.
"Leadershape is an inspiring experience that I will never forget,” commented undergraduate student, Kristin Kroes on her Leadershape experience. “It has taught me that there is always room for improvement in your leadership skills. Because of the ALC I know what type of leader I am, and am aware of my strengths and challenges and what I need to do in order to overcome those challenges."
For students wanting to hone up on their skills periodically, an introductory track provides a variety of opportunities for separate, shorter sessions covering a variety of topics. By participating in a hands-on environment, students are able to practice their leadership skills in order to be more confident leaders and to benefit their future careers.
Active and retired executives from Accenture, like Timmermann, serve as instructors to the program and also help develop the curriculum. Many of the Accenture partners and staff are also alumni of the School of Business. The program has such strong appeal that many graduates of other universities are also getting involved with the ALC at the UW-Madison School of Business.
“A vital part of this program is the involvement of experienced professionals in mentoring, teaching and setting examples of leadership for these students,” explained Bob Christianson, BSEE, ’69, MBA ’71, one of the many Accenture Partners who have helped make this program a success. “They have first-hand knowledge of what is needed to succeed in the business world, and that is a valuable asset to bring to this program.”
When the ALC was established, the founders wanted to make an impact in three key areas: First, help students to build leadership skills and tactics to differentiate themselves in the job market; second, have a positive affect on the overall atmosphere at the School of Business and help to distinguish the UW-Madison School of Business from its peers; and third, create a program where outside leaders from Accenture and other organizations could have an opportunity to give back to the school in a tangible way.
“We’re always looking for new, unique ways to get our alumni involved with the school and the students,” Dean Michael Knetter commented. “The Accenture Leadership Center provides excellent opportunities for alumni and current students to interact, and both parties take something away from the experience.”
