Work in Progress - Engineering the Facilitative Leader

The industrial engineering program´s Industrial Advisory Committee strongly advised the engineering program to work on developing leadership, and in particular, facilitation skills in the engineering graduates. Through the Leadership and Facilitation course designed for the Milwaukee School of Engineering Industrial Engineering program students not only learn, but also practice facilitation skills. Facilitation skills are essential for all engineers and are of particular importance as the engineer gains responsibility for multiple projects with increased levels of importance. The emphasis of the course is to teach students how to facilitate change within an organization, from brainstorming to implementing change, as well as dealing with those unwilling to embrace change, how the technical skills and abilities of engineers can be used to develop and enhance a facilitation. The course is new to the curriculum therefore evidence of improved leadership skills is not yet evident; however the student feedback has been positive