Improving Management Development Through Small Problem‐Solving Groups

The senior seminar is a seminar that places emphasis on small problem‐solving groups as an effective approach to executive development. It concentrates on combining management knowledge and skill development in an intense two‐week experience. Small groups have been a part of management development programmes for some time but they are not always used effectively or appropriately. Using the change process of unfreezing, changing and refreezing as a frame of reference, it is demonstrated how small groups play an important role in climate building for peer learning, integration of content and process, and providing for practice in using new skills. Guidelines are offered for applying and adapting the senior seminar approach.