HUMAN RESOURCE (HR) PEROFESSIONALS must understand what leadership means in the modern world in order to develop leadership capacity in their organisations, a top executive coach has said.

These HR professionals must also have the ability to recognise and support leadership qualities within their organisations, said Ian Cook, a facilitator who works primarily with mid-level to top executives, transforming managers and supervisors into leaders.

Cook, of Fulcrum Associates – a North Virginia, United Staes-based leadership development firm
which helps organisation leverage the talents of their managers and teams – will present a master class
on Fostering Inspirational Leadership In Your Organisation at the 4th Annual Tourism Human Resources Conference organised by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO).

During his presentation Cook will introduce
"a comprehensive model of leadership competency"
and will engage delegates in extensive discussion
on how various stages of adult development
relate to the growth of leadership effectiveness
in individual managers.

Delegates to the May 21 to 23 conference in the British Virgin Islands will also learn what the latest research reveals about the link between the quality of leadership and the level of organisational performance. They will also discuss the key role human resources play in fostering leadership excellence in line management.

"By better understanding the subject and
modelling it in your own human resource role, you will be able to guide and support the individual journey
of each manager towards a higher level of leadership proficiency," Cook intends to tell those attending
the conference, "so their staff will be able to say
'this is the best boss I've ever had'."

The conference, which has as its theme Developing Inspirational Leadership For Caribbean Tourism, will cover a number of issues facing tourism human resource professionals. (GE/PR)