This project builds upon our established strengths in character-focused leadership development programming, aiming to deepen our understanding of its impact and to strategically inform the development of the follow up VirtueLead initiative and ELF Africa Leadership Programs. The pilot project strategically targets 20 emerging leaders in Kenya aged 25-35, a pivotal stage where individuals are demonstrating leadership potential and are receptive to integrating core virtues into their leadership styles. This focus on a cohort poised for increased influence aims to cultivate ethical and impactful leaders who can drive positive change in Kenya, bridge generational leadership, and contribute to national development.
The project will immerse the young leaders in a rigorous exploration of targeted character virtues, such as love, hope, integrity, humility and courage; while emphasizing critical leadership practices and mindsets such as Ubuntu, African Dignity, Healing and Forgiveness, Listening and Centering Self. Through a combination of character training, immersive experiences, and real-world leadership challenges, participants will learn how to integrate these virtues into their leadership practices, with the expected outcome that they will demonstrate a deeper understanding and embodiment of the targeted character virtues, mindsets and practices. By observing and analyzing the impact of these experiences on the leaders' personal and professional development, we will gain a deeper understanding of how character development can be effectively integrated into leadership training.
The valuable findings and lessons learned from the project will be disseminated through diverse avenues to inspire other leaders and organizations across Kenya and beyond. These findings will also be used to enhance ELF-Africa’s transformative leadership development programs designed for young Africans with a focus on the organization’s values-based leadership philosophy.
