30 Emirati women participate in DWE's 'Leaders Spirit'

30 Emirati women from across the public and private sectors took part in Dubai Women Establishment's, or DWE, flagship equine leadership initiative, 'Leaders Spirit' - Leadership Skills from an Equestrian Perspective Advanced Programme" which concluded on Monday. The programme is designed to help female, middle to senior level managers to develop their leadership skills and self-confidence.
Through interacting with horses, participants were given an opportunity to build their leadership capabilities by enhancing their understanding of human behaviour, team dynamics, human development and creative approaches to conflict and change. This process of equine assisted learning involves working with horses, through effective, consistent and clear communication, known as 'horse whispering'.
The programme, which provides a powerful alternative to traditional class-room training, involved on-the-spot learning, taking participants out of their comfort zones and ensuring that they were more open to feedback and 'self-discovery'. The sessions also allowed participants to see themselves and their teams from a different perspective, providing unique insights into attendees' natural leadership tendencies.
Shamsa Saleh, CEO of Dubai Women Establishment, said: "We received very positive feedback about the workshop in previous editions and we're pleased to have provided an opportunity for more female professionals in the UAE to develop their leadership skills through this innovative programme. The "Leaders Spirit" sessions built on the foundations of the programme we launched back in 2013, placing greater emphasis on personal leadership development to help participants overcome common barriers to achieving personal and professional growth, and in turn, enhance their role in the UAE's continued development and progress."
Yolanda Sing, Founder of CHLOE Consultants, who led the programme, said: "It's important for authentic leaders to shape the culture of their organisations and equine assisted learning can provide them with the tools to do just that, allowing them to connect with and influence people more effectively, and enhance their self-confidence. Throughout the programme, participants gained important insights into their leadership capabilities and skills in managing powerful followers, as well as how guiding with empathy earns respect and authority. The sessions were very successful and we were pleased to hear how valuable participants feel the programme will be to their professional and personal journey going forward."
 Moza Ali Kayaf, deputy director of excellence department at the Ministry of Finance, who participated in the programme, said: "Unlike other training courses, the unique method behind this programme involves discovery-focused learning experiences through the honest reaction of the horses as 'team members', using insightful theory and practical exercises which are relevant to real-world life and work situations. We explored topics such as how to deal with change in the workplace, and how important body language and emotional intelligence is in dealing with teams. The difference between managing and leading people, as well as how best to coach and build a team was also highlighted throughout the programme."
 sandhya@khaleejtimes.com