Leading Resilient Organisations – Exeter MBA 2022

Now more than ever, we need to revisit our models of organisation.

Without a rethink, we run the risk of losing some of our greatest organisations and losing the race to solve major problems like climate change, social injustice and our resilience in the face of sudden shocks like the Covid pandemic.

Designing and leading organisations that can ‘bounce-forward’ from shock, and are eco-centric (rather than ego-centric) requires a deep shift of mindset.

The objective of this course is to use ideas from antifragility, ‘permaculture’, biomimicry, and adaptive improvisation to stimulate this shift in mindset, and develop skills and confidence to lead for in-built change capacity and sustainability.

Participants will be immersing themselves in the agro-forestry example of permaculture at Dartington as well as using the resources on this e-learning platform.  We will also have webinars and live-streamed classroom activities.  Participants will learn how they might create more generative, accountable and ethical business and social practices, and enable more innovation and flourishing (with reduced cost and intervention) as a result.

Work flow and investment

Different types of media

Each lesson will mix videos to watch, with material to read – which extends the learning offered in the f2f workshops. 

There are also downloadable handouts, worksheets, exercises and checklists to print and take away, and keep for future reference, as well as a range of academic references and deeper dive material that interested students can come back to later.

Work investment

The module is designed to demand a level of around 5 whole working days – making up the full credits attached to this elective module.  Where classes are partial days, it is intended that you use the remaining part of that same day, to work through the relevant e-learning package of self-study, and carry out any exercises that it contains.

Your resources

  • LRO 2022 Schedule of work – Exeter MBA
    10 minutes
  • Exeter MBA – Leading Resilient Organisations 2022 – Discussion Space
  • Essential pre-work to do before you start the class on Monday 6th June
    15 minutes
  • Being part of, not on, my land
    80 minutes
  • Antifragile and ecosystem thinking part 1 – Exeter MBA
    30 minutes
  • LRO – Preparing to start your module
    Text Based
  • LRO 2022 Workshop 1 – Exeter MBA
    180 minutes
  • Essential work to do after class on Monday 6th June, and before class on Tuesday 7th June
    15 minutes
  • Principles of permaculture – Exeter MBA
    120 minutes
  • LRO – Basic strengths and needs exercise (part 1 – pre-work before fieldtrip)
    Text Based
  • Essential prep before the fieldtrip to the Forest Garden on Wednesday
    10 minutes
  • LRO – Strengths, offers and needs exercise (part 2 – completed after fieldtrip)
    File Upload
  • Basic prep before class on Thursday 9th June
    200 minutes
  • Essential work to do after class on Thursday 9th, and before class on Friday 10th
    180 minutes
  • Applied permaculture ideas – Exeter MBA
    60 minutes
  • LRO 2022 – Assignment preparation and delivery
    Text Based
  • Antifragile and ecosystem thinking part 2 – Exeter MBA
    60 minutes
  • Adaptive and dialogic leadership – developing your improvisation skills
    120 minutes
  • Introducing growth mindset
    45 minutes
  • Growth mindset ‘under fire’ – stress, anxiety and threat
    45 minutes
  • LRO – Permaculture Observation Skills Exercise
    File Upload
  • VL – What changes when we lead ‘virtually’?
    20 minutes
  • VL – Learn from 2020/21 – Why you need to mitigate risks of burnout and lost productivity/connection
    120 minutes
  • Restore your sense of autonomy and control – practices to build choice and impact in the ‘new normal’
    90 minutes

Frequently asked questions

How long can I access these resources?

This pack of resources will be accessible to you for as long as you/your organisation is working with us.

In addition, in each lesson there are also PDFs, tools, products and exercises, that we think you will want to keep - you can download them, or print them.

If you are registered and confirmed as a participant on this programme, then you are also already enrolled and can get started.

Click on the MENU button, and then follow through to your Dashboard.  You can launch your course from there.