An Integrated Behavioral Approach to Transfer of Interpersonal Leadership Skills

Abstract

There is growing concern that academic institutions need to better prepare students of management by teaching interpersonal leadership skills. Yet bridging the gap between classroom learning and later work performance represents a major challenge to educators. Operant, or behavioral, instructional techniques may help us to meet this challenge. This article (a) reviews current experiential methods in management education; (b) presents an operant conceptualization of transfer; (c) illustrates applications of behavioral instruction in management, social work, and psychology; (d) proposes a comprehensive, classroom-and field-based behavioral approach that management educators may use to teach interpersonal leadership skills; and (e) compares that approach with current experiential methods.