CCAL’s Haskayne Peer Network Program

On January 15, students gathered around Scurfield Hall’s Nu-West Commons as the Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership in Business (CCAL) re-launched the Haskayne Peer Network (HPN) events, a program focused on providing Haskayne students the opportunity to partake in activities designed to improve their leadership development.

The basis of HPN is derived from The Student Leadership Challenge, a book written by two renowned scientist-practitioners in the field of leadership development, James Kouzes and Barry Posner. The book is intended to aid students in becoming exemplary leaders and teaches them that anyone, no matter their age, gender, background or position, can become a leader. Kouzes and Posner have identified “5 Practices of Exemplary Leadership” that will help guide students to make extraordinary things happen in their class, clubs, campus, and community (Kouzes & Posner, 2018). These 5 practices include:

• Modelling the Way: In this practice, students are expected to identify their own values and be a role model by acting in accordance with their values.
• Inspiring a Shared Vision: This practice invites students to envision an exciting future and encourage others to be a part of it.  
• Challenging the Process: Innovation and experimentation lies at the heart of this practice. Students are invited to plan innovative initiatives and test them in practice.
• Enabling Others to Act: This practice focuses on relationships. Students are expected to build high-quality relationships and help others to grow. 
• Encouraging the Heart: This practice involves appreciating and celebrating collective contributions and success. (Kouzes & Posner, 2018)

The first event of the winter semester was titled “Values Spotlight” and falls under the practice of Modelling the Way. During this event, students identified their top three values and explained the reasoning behind their choices. According to Kouzes and Posner, the initial step to becoming a leader is being clear about your values and how they drive your choices. People want to know what their leaders believe and what they stand for (Kouzes & Posner, 2018).

CCAL will be hosting a total of 12 HPN events throughout the Winter 2020 semester and we encourage all Haskayne students to attend and build on their leadership skills. Though the HPN does not promise to make a student leader overnight, the objective is that students gain awareness and a deeper understanding of the importance of leadership development. 

Sources:

Kouzes, J., & Posner, B. (2018). The Student Leadership Challenge: Five Practices for Becoming an Exemplary Leader (3^rd ed). San Francisco, CA: The Leadership Challenge.