Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Leadership

Purpose

The Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Leadership aims to encourage critical reflection and sophisticated development in the specialist area of creative leadership. Through theoretical engagement with the latest research on leadership practices, and an exploration of related areas, including global trends in the world of work, the psychology of innovation, and practices related to strategy, this qualification seeks to develop the intellectual and practical capacities required to facilitate creative outputs in a future-forward and sustainable manner. The qualification further hopes to empower learners to have a meaningful impact and to act as catalysts in the propagation of leadership which remains human-centred while facilitating sustainable future-forward innovation.

The proposed qualification intends to extend, enrich, and elevate learners' existing leadership and creative competencies in a manner that is highly relevant and transformative. This qualification also seeks to instil in all learners the commercial logic to grow as leaders. The qualification also hopes to benefit learners by empowering them with the critical and advanced competencies needed to progress into leadership and other specialist positions within the creative and related industries.

In the face of exponential technological advancement in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and the like, and with reference to graduate attributes cultivated in the proposed qualification, this qualification proposes to encourage the refinement of 'uniquely human skills' such as creative thinking, social intelligence, persuasion, mindfulness, leadership, empathy, conflict resolution, critical thinking, adaptability and negotiation.

Upon completion of the qualification, a qualifying learner will be able to

• Illustrate an advanced engagement with established leadership theories, praxis and the characteristics of creative industries and applied competence in leading for creativity underpinned by the principles of human-centred leadership.
• Illustrate an advanced, applied and reflexive competence in the analysis of current trends and predicted changes in leadership and the global market to select creative responses to novel, complex contexts.
• Apply a human-centred, respectful, and ethical approach to leadership to overcome barriers to inclusivity and encourage diversity in cross-cultural business contexts.
• Apply a critical mindset in the review of the theoretical underpinnings to the design thinking mindset and its related processes in novel commercial contexts to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
• Illustrate the ability to lead innovation and facilitate positive change drawing on knowledge and methods associated with organisational development.

As set out in the HEQSF, a Postgraduate Diploma has the dual purpose of encouraging advanced critical engagement with professional contexts as well as advanced academic contexts, with specific reference to theoretical engagement and research.

Rationale

This qualification will enable career progression for individuals working in the creative and related industries. At the same time, it seeks to develop a cohort of creative leaders, to foster innovation in South African businesses, allowing these businesses to contend on a global scale without sacrificing the humanist tenets that form the foundation of our constitution. The proposed qualification seeks to equip learners with the skills needed for intermediate to senior-level positions in both the creative industries and those where innovation is of value.

According to the National Skills Development Plan 2030, the South African education system could be enhanced through the inclusion of more qualifications that seek to facilitate career progression for both employed and unemployed individuals (2019: 5). This publication also cites the need to prioritise innovation alongside improving education and skills development (2019: 5).

This qualification is in part inspired by the New Growth Path (NGP) which recognises the need for 'bold, imaginative and effective strategies' to ensure job creation that is ''sustainable'', enhances social equity and is based on an understanding of the opportunities that arise within the changing workforce (Department of Economic Development, 2010: 1). To this end, the proposed qualification includes an interest in job-crafting within the contemporary context as a means of facilitating job retention and creation in the future of work. This qualification is also in alignment with the Revised White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage (3rd draft), where a call is made 'to provide opportunities for cultural practitioners and artists to obtain certificates, diplomas, and degrees from accredited institutions, in their various disciplines and the cross-cutting fields of arts management, cultural policy, cultural leadership and cultural entrepreneurship as a critical way to both professionalise the sector and ensure scholarship on the sector' (Department of Arts and Culture, 2017: 50).

This qualification has been designed as a qualification for career elevation in the creative and related industries. Additionally, it may facilitate professional development in cases where professional individuals seek to hone their skills in predicting industry changes, facilitating idea-generation workshops, increasing stakeholder buy-in, managing production teams, and driving organisational change. The knowledge, skills and values are encapsulated in the proposed qualification as competencies with which successful learners will exit the qualification as graduates.

This qualification seeks to facilitate access to on-demand, mid- and senior-level occupational opportunities in creative leadership and related fields, such as leadership, innovation, experience design, brand management and project management. The qualification intends to catapult successful candidates into progressive career opportunities, further postgraduate study, or professional practice in an array of occupations in South Africa. Learners who exit this qualification should be able to seek and secure employment in the following capacities:

• Brand Manager
• Art Director
• Head of Design
• Creative Director
• Lead Creative Officer
• CX Team Leader
• Marketing Manager
• Media Project Managers
• Media Start-Up Entrepreneurs
• Interaction Design Manager

The envisioned candidates for this qualification are therefore those who are either already in leadership positions where creativity and innovation are valued, or those seeking to enter such positions. As such, this qualification is ideal for those in marketing/advertising, media production, research and development, as well as designers, entrepreneurs, copywriters, developers, and many others involved in creative production.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Advanced Diploma in Leadership Coaching, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Arts, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Management Leadership, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 8, 105 Credits.

• Theoretical Perspectives on Leadership and Creativity, 15 Credits.
• Contextual Creative Leadership Practice, 15 Credits.
• Future-forward Creative Leadership, 15 Credits.
• Dissolving Borders: Inclusive Creative Leadership, 15 Credits.
• Design Thinking for Commercial Contexts, 15 Credits.
• Leading Creatively for Innovation and Change, 15 Credits.
• Business Research Methodology, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 8, 15 Credits (Select one module).

• Employee Experience (Re)Design in Practice (Workplace Learning), 15 Credits.
• Brand Management and Brand Identity Design (Workplace Learning), 15 Credits.
• Managing Creative Projects in Practice (Workplace Learning), 15 Credits.

Exit Level Outcomes

1. Illustrate an advanced engagement with established leadership theories, praxis and the characteristics of creative industries and applied competence in leading for creativity underpinned by the principles of human-centred leadership.
2. Illustrate advanced application and reflexive competence in the analysis of current trends and predicted changes in leadership and the global market to select creative responses to novel, complex contexts.
3. Apply a human-centred, respectful, and ethical approach to leadership to overcome barriers to inclusivity and encourage diversity in cross-cultural business contexts.
4. Apply a critical mindset in the review of the theoretical underpinnings to the design thinking mindset and its related processes in novel commercial contexts to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
5. Illustrate the ability to lead innovation and facilitate positive change drawing on knowledge and methods associated with organisational development.
6. Illustrate an advanced engagement with the principles and paradigms that undergird sound, contextualised business research approaches, and strategically address industry-related research problems.
7. Apply advanced planning and organising capabilities, soft skills, and reflexive learning attributes in the execution of employee experience (re)design, brand management and brand identity design, or creative project management to meet organisational goals within a real-world context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1.

• Critically interrogate established theories of leadership and integrate them to propose leadership approaches suited to both creative and other industries.
• Critically examine the relationship between approaches to leadership, team members' psychological states and resultant creativity.
• Apply recommended practices in the motivation and facilitation of collaborative creative problem-solving.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2.

• Analyse technological trends and the current VUCA environment to propose creative, future-forward approaches to leadership.
• Analyse business practices to identify creative leadership practices that promote sustainability within the relevant organisation.
• Develop plans to address complex challenges in the global market.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3.

• Interrogate current practices to identify means of increasing diversity and inclusivity within a real-world context.
• Debate the implications of the marginalisation of minority voices within the field of leadership.
• Apply social sensitivity in relationships with others through reflection and adoption of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) theories.
• Develop policies promoting diversity and inclusivity practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4.

• Apply a design thinking mindset in solving complex, commercial problems.
• Interrogate the relationship between design thinking and sustainable, ethical business practices.
• Present proposed solutions to real-world problems, derived through the application of the design thinking methodology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5.

• Illustrate the leader's role in driving and facilitating innovation in hypothetical scenarios.
• Evaluate and synthesise change management models to produce practical guidelines for facilitating change.
• Address complex and creative business challenges through the selection of appropriate leadership practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6.

• Analyse factors within the contemporary business environment to determine meaningful focus areas for research.
• Collect and interpret data contextually in support of an argument based on industry-related research problems.
• Produce a research report and present it to communicate commercial insights, conclusions, and recommendations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7.

• Apply advanced planning and organising competencies in the practice of either employee experience (re)design, brand management, brand identity design, or project management.
• Effectively present ideas, interpretations and solutions offering creative insights in the chosen context rigorously to problems and issues.
• Apply sophisticated, reflexive learning attributes in the context of either employee experience (re)design, brand management, brand identity design, or project management.