RNZN College
Leadership Development Group
The Leadership Development Group is charged with the delivery of core military and mariner skills training and leadership development. The purpose of the Leadership Development Group is ‘preparing tomorrow’s leaders, today’.
Accordingly, training and education is undertaken by the Leadership Development Group for one of two reasons: to inculcate and socialise the core values and culture of the Navy, or to add to the individual command, leadership and management development of people within the Navy. To do this the Leadership Development Group uses a number of ways and means to enable a variety of ends.
It should be recognised that whilst the nature of training is relatively tactical in delivery, the possible future outcomes from such training have strategic significance. As an organisation that relies heavily upon growing from within, ‘we get what we set up’. So it is vital that early opportunities to inculcate the core values and leadership behaviours are taken with maximum effect.
Leadership within the Navy exists at all levels, be that in self leadership or leading others; the skill of followership is equally as important however. The Chief of Navy has clearly articulated that whilst people are important to the Navy, it is the right people that are most important. Each newly joined trainee has the potential to become that leader.
The vision of the Navy is to be the best small-nation Navy in the world. This vision will be demonstrated by organisational excellence, operational excellence and our people knowing how to, and wanting to contribute. Whilst it is recognised that ships are the platform by which the Navy delivers capability, it is people that operate our ships and equipment.
To achieve this competency development in a systematic manner, it is structured across a leadership development framework. The framework is applied across all common training courses, and consists of command, leadership and management studies, human resource studies, military skills and knowledge, defence and strategic studies and defence communication skills.
The staff of the Leadership Development Group are not only knowledgeable and skilful in what they do, but they also keenly demonstrate the attitudes and attributes that we develop in those that undertake courses. It is recognised that whilst knowledge and skill can be developed, its application depends heavily upon the attitude and attribute with which it is applied.