Developing Businesses Through Developing Individuals
This research project investigated the impact of the four Cranfield General Management Programmes. The programmes aim to develop individual capability across six competency sets:
- business and organisational knowledge
- influencing skills
- cognitive skills
- self-knowledge
- emotional resilience
- personal drive.
The latter four of these are defined as meta-abilities. These are more fundamental, generic personal capabilites that underpin the use of other knowledge and skills. The concept of meta-abilities goes beyond the micro skill level of many competency frameworks, and captures qualities that are essential to successful executives. Meta-ability development requires more than traditional learning approaches; it depends on the broader psychological growth of individuals. The Cranfield programmes are uniquely designed to provide the impetus and support for this challenging individual development.
The research project evaluated the outcomes of the programmes over an 18 month period as a way of testing the development of meta-abilities, and investigating their role in creating organisational change. The study provides strong evidence that the programmes do develop meta-abilities, and that individual development of this type provides a critical starting point for organisational development.
To find out more about the research findings, please download the full report.
If you would like to talk to us about this research project, contact: Penny Harvey on +44 (0)1234 754397, email: p.harvey@cranfield.ac.uk