The sixth class of the Duke Management Academy marked the completion of its year-long leadership development program with a ceremony on Dec. 12 at the Nasher Museum of Art.
Drawing promising middle managers from across Duke, the Duke Management Academy allows participants to explore their values and strengthen their skills in strategic thinking, decision-making, developing people, and valuing and managing diversity. Academy members participate in self-assessments, discussions with veteran leaders, coursework, and group projects. Each participant in the selective program is sponsored by the highest-ranking official within their division, department, or school.
Tawana Reed, the administrative manager for Duke’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, was also chosen as the class speaker for the ceremony. The Duke Management Academy helped her learn to lead a team of experienced colleagues. Reed said that courses on emotional intelligence and situational leadership taught her how to delegate effectively and build some structure into her team while also giving individual members the freedom to define and strive for their own goals.
“I feel more confident,” Reed said. “I feel like I have tools to equip me to be a better manager for my team. But I still have opportunities where I can grow, and I can now focus on those.”