A workshop seminar on “Leadership for Institutional Modernization II” was held at IICA Headquarters as part of an effort to build on the leadership and management skills of professionals, specialists and project coordinators, and the technical and administrative areas of IICA.

At the three-day workshop, the 26 participants heard talks and took part in dynamic activities aimed at improving their competencies in coaching, empowerment, conducting processes of change, emotional intelligence, assertive communication, accountability and teamwork.

The academic director of the seminar, German Retana, said that the idea behind the topics addressed was to improve institutional efficiency through the impact of each person’s individual efforts at the Institute.

“To develop talent in the team, its leader must be a coach and unleash that talent. Second, if these talents are to flourish, the institutional conditions must exist to make this happen. This has to take place within a framework of empowerment and this implies change”, he said when addressing the agenda for the workshop.

The Director General of IICA, Chelston Brathwaite, who was present at the inauguration of the workshop seminar, recognized the importance of each IICA staff member’s individual contribution. “You are the most important of this process because your ideas, your contribution, are fundamental in achieving the success of this organization which we must continue to improve”, he told participants.

In the opinion of Roxana Cornejo, one of the other professors at the workshop, assertiveness–which is clear, honest, direct and appropriate communication – and emotional intelligence are “critical competencies in developing effective leadership and promoting more productive, flexible and creative work teams”. Both of these issues were also addressed during the workshop seminar.

For more information, contact
silvia.delgado@iica.int