Triads - A Safe Place to Learn Leadership

It is said that adults only retain about 10 per cent of what they learn in classroom lectures.  However when adults learn by doing, the retention increases to 70 per cent. In addition, when adult learners are given the opportunity to be a part of a learning community – one whose members acquire, use, and share their collective knowledge – they retain the majority of their learning because it was relevant, meaningful and memorable. Therefore academic and real world integration is the most effective way to approach leadership development.  

One method of achieving this type of integration is by extending the classroom learning through the use of the Triad. The ‘Triad’ – literally “a group or set of three connected people or things” - is formed initially in the classroom, when three participants join in a peer coaching process.  The intent of the Triad is to support each individual’s growth as a leader through membership in this stable, on-going group of peers who provide focused and non-judgmental coaching to each other as they address real-life challenges and opportunities. This structure also enhances the ability of each member to integrate their classroom learning into their approach to meeting these challenges, as they have a shared knowledge base through their participation in the program. It is a safe place where the learners come together to discuss their classroom learning and real world applications.

Each person brings his or her own knowledge and perspective built on and represented by their background, education and experience, and their role with an organization. Within the Triad, all members are equals - irrespective of role or experience – as everyone is equally committed to their own development as a leader and to supporting the development of their colleagues as leaders. There is no hierarchy within the Triad. All conversations are confidential unless there is an agreement amongst all members that an issue or opportunity has been identified that warrants being brought to the attention of the relevant person(s) outside of the Triad. Each member comes to the Triad meetings with the intent of full engagement and takes time prior to the meetings to at least mentally prepare for what they would like to discuss.

With the ground rules set, the Triad meetings are peer coaching sessions, and the members are  given opportunities to work within their Triads during classroom activities, and are encouraged to meet outside of class, offering continuity to their discussions, growth in their connection, and a bridge back to the program between sessions. Triad meetings allow members with important issues an opportunity to discuss and actively and intentionally practice some of the principles, tools and approaches discussed in class in the class. As each member listens to his or her colleague(s) with the intent of helping them, an active learning experience emerges for each member:

• What can I learn about my colleague? About his or her responsibilities? About their ‘view’ of the situation?
• How can I build my understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of people, skill sets and perspectives/views?
• How can I use this to better understand and shape myself as a confident and competent leader in the future?

Through the use of Triads in adult education, the learners experience a perfect trifecta – classroom learning, learning by doing and cohort based learning – essentially resulting in long term retention and leadership development that actually works.

If you are interested in learning more about the methods Haskayne Executive Education utilizes to achieve real world results in leadership development, please contact execed@haskayne.ucalgary.ca or call 403-220-6600

About the Author: Fred Jacques, PhD, is an adjunct professor / academic director for custom programs in leadership and change. He has designed and delivered leadership development programs that incorporate best practices in seminar-style instruction, experiential exercises, 360-degree feedback and individualized coaching. Fred's programs include emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, effective inter-personal communication, team building, and all facets of leadership development from the individual to the executive level. He has designed and delivered leadership development programs on behalf of a wide range of clients, including Cenovus, Enbridge, Encana, EnerPlus, Husky, Talisman Energy, and multiple departments within the Government of Alberta. Fred is a sought-after facilitator and coach known for his attention to client needs and his sense of humour.