Rehearsing tomorrow's leaders: the potential of mythodrama

Abstract

PurposeThe paper explores the potential of Mythodrama as a leadership learning intervention. It suggests that the new leadership capabilities required for future organizational success, can be built with this methodology.Design/methodology/approachHenry V – Shakespeare's greatest inspirational leader – is used as case study to explain the Mythodrama methodology and some of the lessons that can be learnt about leadership from Henry's story.FindingsMythodrama is a powerful intervention for learning and rehearsing leadership behaviors. Great leaders have a repertoire of styles and demonstrate judgment about which style is relevant to the context. Authentic leadership requires self‐knowledge, belief and commitment, there is the potential to explore these personal traits through the mythodrama methodology.Practical implicationsEffective leaders are increasingly recognized as one of the most valuable assets of the organization. Hence, truly transforming learning methodologies – those that can touch people personally and deeply – promise to add future value to organizations that employ them.Originality/valueIntroduces and explores the potential of a leadership learning intervention. Explains how the methodology works and describes some of the skills and behaviors leaders can rehearse.