MANDELA

WASHINGTON
FELLOWSHIP
FOR YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS

Leadership
Development Plan
 Leadership Development Plan
INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on being selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow!

The Leadership Development Plan is a tested tool that will support your
continued professional growth as a leader and help guide you as you work to
create positive change in your home community, country, region, and in Africa.
This tool draws on two leadership paradigms (Servant Leadership and the
Social Change Model of Leadership) and the principles of Ubuntu1, which
was central to Nelson Mandela’s concept of leadership.

“ Leadership is behavioral, not positional: The capacity to integrate, motivate,

and mobilize others to bring a common aspiration to life is what leadership is
all about, not holding positions of formal authority. ” —Nelson Mandela

1
Timothy Murithi of the University Of Cape Town, South Africa states, “the concept of Ubuntu is a cultural world-view that tries to capture the essence of what it means to be
human… ‘It also means that my humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in [other people’s humanity].’ (Rev. Desmond Tutu as quoted in Murithi, 2006, p. 26).”
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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Goal of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Timeline

To build Mandela Washington Fellows’ skills so that MAY/JUNE
LDP Introduced to Fellows
Fellows contribute to improving the accountability
JUNE/JULY
and transparency of government, starting and First draft of LDP shared
growing businesses, and serving communities. with staff, faculty, and other
professionals at Host Institutes
and within Fellows’ networks

AUGUST

Leadership Development Plan Overview Fellows post draft LDPs online

(instructions to follow)
The Leadership Development Plan (LDP) is a tool to support your professional
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
growth throughout your Fellowship experience. Leadership Development Plans
Fellows provide peer feedback
(LDPs) will be required for Fellows who wish to participate in the professional through private online tool
development opportunities and the regional events funded by USAID in Africa, and
OCTOBER + BEYOND
will offer an opportunity for continued networking among your Mandela Washington
Fellows involved in professional
Fellowship colleagues. development opportunities
in Africa use plans with their
supervisors/mentors
During your U.S. experience you will create a first draft of your LDP, and you
are encouraged to share your LDP with staff, faculty, and other professionals for
feedback. The first step in completing your Leadership Development Plan is to Throughout the year Fellows
revisit their plans and discuss
think of an Essential Question. This question will help you to frame your experience
with their peers during regional
throughout the Mandela Washington Fellowship and help apply what you have conferences and networking events
learned when you return to your home country. In August 2015, Fellows will finalize
their LDPs and post them to a private group online for peer review and feedback
(instructions to follow).

Your LDP is a living document. As you build your experience and networks, you can
add these new experiences, networks, contacts, and learnings into your LDP. The
LDP will also allow you to reflect on your growth and the contributions that you have
made to your society, community, region, and country.
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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Nelson Mandela:
LEADERSHIP LESSONS

Lesson 1: It takes more than a single heroic leader at the top to
change the trajectory of an institution, or a nation.

Lesson 2: In leadership, character is more important than strategy.

Contents
Cover Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Vision Statement—A Dream for the Future. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
My Core Values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
My Identity as a Leader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
My Long-Term Goals (TODAY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
My Long-Term Goals (2016) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
My Short-Term Goals and Action Steps (TODAY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Photo: Domenico © Creative Commons

My Short-Term Goals and Action Steps (2016) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Appendix A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
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Leadership
Development Plan
Name:____________________________________________________________ Fellowship Year:_________________

Home Country/City:_______________________________________________________________________________

Current Vocation and Avocation (Include employment and any volunteer or community work)

Host University Name:_____________________________________________________________________________

Mandela Washington Fellowship Track

Civic Leadership Business and Entrepreneurship
Public Management

Area(s) of Focus (You may choose more than one)

Agriculture Health/Public Health/Medicine
Arts/Music/Fashion Hospitality/Tourism/Travel
Banking/Finance Journalism/Media/Publishing
Business/Entrepreneurship Justice/Legal/Prison Systems
Children and youth LGBTQI Issues
Civil/Human Rights Manufacturing
Community Development Communications/ Marketing/ Advertising
Construction/Architecture/ Real Estate Peacebuilding/Conflict Resolution
Democracy/ Governance/ Civic Education Policy Advocacy/Research
Disability Rights/Issues Public Works (utilities/ water/ waste management)
Education Religion
Energy Retail/Sales
Engineering Science
Environment/Conservation/ Wildlife Technology/Telecommunications
Government: civil service Transportation
Government: elected office Women’s and girls’ Issues

My Essential Question (Please refer to your pre-departure orientation handbook for more information)
The Essential Question is a research question that will encourage you to explore solutions to a challenge
that you are currently facing and help you to frame your Fellowship experience.
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Vision Statement:
A Dream for the Future
Please write a Personal Vision Statement describing your vision for the future.

• Write a sentence or two about your personal leadership • Write a few sentences describing your hopes and
vision and your personal life vision. What do you hope dreams for your country, community, and society.
to help create and help achieve?
• Write a sentence or two about your key learnings from
• Consider your Essential Question and think about how your Mandela Washington Fellowship experience in the
you will expand on this question in the coming years. US and how these learnings contribute to your vision.

NEXT YEAR
After one year (in June 2016), re-read your Personal Vision Statement.
Would you make any changes or additions to what you wrote?
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My Core Values
Please review the following list of key leadership values. Most people value all of these characteristics in leaders,
but there are many different approaches to good leadership. In developing a leadership plan, it’s helpful to
identify those values that are most important to you in your leadership journey.

 espect & Compassion: prioritizing the recognition of

R Presence & Building Trust: the ability to communicate
the dignity of other people in all aspects of leadership and and act in a way that conveys confidence, warmth and
decisions. strength.

 elf-Awareness & Inner serenity: not seeking

S  armony & Interdependence: recognizing that each
H
validation or solace from others; conveying peace and one of us needs all of us and we should strive to work
serenity. together in accord rather than in opposition.

 onceptualization: the ability to maintain awareness

C  ersuasion & Creating Meaning: a reliance on
P
of the conceptual thinking and the “big picture” and still persuasion rather than solely one’s positional authority, in
manage effectively from day-to-day. making decisions within an organization; helping people
understand the “why”.
 egacy: prominence; being well-known for
L
contributions.  acilitation: consistently ensure that everyone’s
F
viewpoint is heard appropriately and that solutions and
 isdom & Foresight: sound judgment based on
W
resolutions find a common ground.
knowledge and understanding of past and present and
consequences of future decisions.  thical Leadership: promoting positive civic
E
engagement and social responsibility through an ethic of
 hared Responsibility & Accountability: dependably
S
service and a concern for justice.
achieving promised results for team, stakeholders,
community, country.  ommitment to community & Ubuntu: recognizing
C
that everyone has a responsibility for the welfare of
 reativity & Diversity: discovering and nurturing new
C
others.
ideas and innovations and consistently soliciting diverse
perspectives.  ommon purpose: valuing, creating, and involving
C
others in creating shared aims and values.


After reviewing this list, choose 3–4 values that are most important to you and write them below. Feel free to
include values not listed above:

1._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

3._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

4._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEXT YEAR 
After one year, in June of 2016, re-read the full list above and the values you selected. Would you select any
different values now? If so, create a new list of values that are important to you one year after the program.
 MANDELA WASHINGTON FELLOWSHIP 7
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My Identity as a Leader
TODAY
Please complete this section in July/August, 2015.

How will I ensure that I stay true to my values as I develop and take on higher level leadership positions?

What would people say are my strengths as a leader when I am not in their presence?

Considering my Vision Statement and Core Values, what else do I want people to say about my
leadership strengths when I’m not in their presence?

NEXT YEAR
After one year (in June 2016), please complete this section.

How did I do in staying true to my core values? What else can I do to maintain my commitment to my values

When I am not in the room, what would people say are my strengths as a leader?
How has this changed over the last year?

After re-considering my Vision Statement and Core Values, what else do I want people to say about my
leadership strengths when I’m not in their presence? How do I want to develop in the next 12 months?
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My Long-Term Goals Today

My Essential Question was:

Long-Term Goals. In 5–10 years, this is the change that I would like to help create. Look at your core values,
re-read your Vision Statement; think about the future that you want to be an instrumental part of creating.

Long-term Objectives. In order to move towards each of these goals, I have the following key objectives.
Objectives should be specific, visible, and measurable. See the sample LDP for some sample objectives.

1._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

3._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

4._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

I anticipate having some challenges in reaching these objectives. List any key personal, environmental, or
institutional challenges you can imagine below.

The most important Servant Leadership characteristics that will help me are…. Choose 4 Servant Leadership
characteristics from Appendix A at the end of this document that you think will be most important for you.

1._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

3._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

4._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

My personal strengths/assets around these 4 Servant Leadership characteristics that will help me are…
What are you best at? For example, your biggest strengths that will help you may be “relationship-building”
or “leading effective teams”.

In order to reach my objectives, I would like to develop in the following ways:

List the skills and knowledge that you think will help you reach your long-term goal and objectives.
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My Long-Term Goals 2016

NEXT YEAR
Complete this section again in June of 2016 if anything has changed.
My Essential Question was:

What has changed in the last 12 months in the external environment that has:
1) helped me move forward; 2) and/or helped me see new opportunities; 3) and/or caused me to change
direction? E.g.: policy environment; conflict; funding environment; natural disaster, etc.

Long-Term Goals. In 5-10 years, this is the change that I would like to help create. Re-read your vision
statement; look at your core values, think about the future that you want to be an instrumental part of creating.

Long-term Objectives. In order to move towards these goals, I have the following key objectives.
Objectives should be specific, visible, and measurable. See the sample LDP for some sample objectives.

I anticipate having some challenges in reaching these objectives. List any key personal, environmental, or
institutional challenges you imagine below.

The most important Servant Leadership characteristics that will help me are…. Choose 4 Servant Leadership
characteristics from Appendix A at the end of this document that you think will be most important for you.
1._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

3._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

4._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

My personal strengths/assets that will help me are… What are you best at? For example, your biggest strengths
that will help you may be “relationship-building” “a warm confident presence” or “leading effective teams”.

In order to reach my objectives, I would like to develop in the following ways:

List the skills and knowledge that you think will help you reach your long-term goal and objectives.
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My Short-Term Goals
and Action Steps Today
TODAY
12-Month Objectives: To take the first steps towards reaching my long term goals, over the next
12 months I will…. List 2-4 objectives that are realistic, measurable, achievable, and within your control.
1.________________________________________________ 3.________________________________________________

2.________________________________________________ 4.________________________________________________

Contacts and Networking: To achieve these objectives in the next 12 months, I plan to expand my network
by initiating, building, or strengthening relationships with the following groups and individuals.
Identify 4-10 new contacts that are relevant to helping you meet your objectives.
1.________________________________________________ 6.________________________________________________

2.________________________________________________ 7.________________________________________________

3.________________________________________________ 8.________________________________________________

4.________________________________________________ 9.________________________________________________

5.________________________________________________ 10._______________________________________________

Professional Development: To achieve these objectives in the next 12 months, I would like to specifically
build my knowledge and skills in the following areas. List very specific skill/knowledge areas, such as:
“Negotiation skills; Budgeting Skills; Ability to Persuade Others; Knowledge of the corporate landscape in
Eastern Africa.”

Professional Development: Please place a check mark next to the Africa-based professional development
program(s) that you hope to participate in and briefly explain what you hope to gain from your participation.
You may choose to include how you would like to grow as a leader or specific skills and experience or both.

Mentorship (having a mentor) I hope to learn:_____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Africa-based Internship I hope to learn:___________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Speaker Travel Grants I hope to learn:_____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Co-sponsored Events I hope to learn:______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
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My Short-Term Goals and Action Steps Today (continued)

Reaching other Youth: How do you plan to work with youth in your home country and community?
For example: Will you mentor other youth? Engage youth in your organization, business, or institution?
Organize volunteer activities for youth?

Reaching your Community: In what ways do you plan to share your experience as a
Mandela Washington Fellow with your community?

What do you hope to bring or be able to share if selected to attend the YALI Regional Conference in the
spring/summer of 2016? Please list specific achievements/accomplishments.

What do you hope to see achieved through this work?

For example: I would like to see a Youth Advisory Council within City Government.
OR I hope to help at least 5 university students clarify their professional goals and gain internships.
OR I would like to create a youth volunteer corps that leads themselves with my support and has monthly
activities.
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My Short-Term Goals
and Action Steps 2016
NEXT YEAR
Reflection: How did I do in reaching my 12-month objectives over the last year?

New 12-Month Objectives: To take the next steps towards reaching my long terms goals, over the next
12 months I will…. List 2-4 objectives that are realistic, measurable, achievable, and within your control.

1._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

3._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

4._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Contacts and Networking: To achieve these objectives in the next 12 months, I plan to expand my network
by initiating, building, or strengthening relationships with the following groups and individuals. Identify 4-10
new contacts that are relevant to helping you meet your objectives that you want to make.

1._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

3._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

4._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

5._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

6._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

7._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

9._____________________________________________________________________________________________________

10.____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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My Short-Term Goals and Action Steps 2016 (continued)

Professional Development: To achieve these objectives in the next 12 months, I would like to specifically
build my knowledge and skills in the following areas. List very specific skill/knowledge areas, such as:
“Negotiation skills; Budgeting Skills; Ability to Persuade Others; Knowledge of the corporate landscape in
Eastern Africa.”

Reaching other Youth: In what ways were you able to work with youth in your home country and community?
For example: Did you mentor other youth? Engage youth in your organization, business, or institution?
Organize volunteer activities for youth?

Reaching your Community: In what ways have you been able to share your experience as a
Mandela Washington Fellow with your community?

What have you seen achieved through this work?

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Bibliography
April, Kurt and Kai Peters. Communal versus Nussbaum, Barbara. African Culture and Ubuntu:
Individual Modalities of Work: A South African Reflections of a South African in America. World
Investigation. Asia Pacific Journal of Business and Business Academy Perspectives, 2003, Volume 17(1).
Management, 2011, Volume 2(1) 5-36.
Texas A&M. Individual Leadership Plan. The
Chernett, Brian. Are you a servant leader? Bush School Public Service Leadership Program.
Downloaded 7/8/14.
Emory University. Social Change Model of
Leadership. http://osls.emory.edu/leadership_emory/ Wagner, Wendy. A Social Change Model of Leadership:
our_philosphy/social_change.html. Accessed A Brief Overview. NCLP Concepts and Connections.
3/23/2015. Vol 15 Issue 1, 2006.

Horowitz, Lisa B. Leadership Development: Building Yale University. Individual Development Plan–4
Your Personal Plan. McDermott, Will and Emory. ABA Samples. Downloaded 7/8/14.
Commission on Women, 2006. (PPT)

Murithi, Timothy. Practical Peacemaking Wisdom

from Africa: Reflections on Ubuntu. Journal of Pan
African Studies, 2006, Volume 1(4).
 MANDELA WASHINGTON FELLOWSHIP 15
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Appendix A
SERVANT LEADERSHIP

These 10 characteristics were identified by Larry Spears, CEO of the Greenleaf Center of Servant Leadership.

Listening Seeks to identify the will of the group and helps to clarify that will

Empathy Strives to understand and empathize with others

Healing Recognizes that they have an opportunity to help make whole those with whom
they come into contact

Awareness Able leaders are usually sharply awake and reasonably disturbed (in that they
are out of their comfort zone). They are not seekers after solace. They have their
own inner serenity.

Persuasion A reliance on persuasion rather than one’s positional authority, in making

decisions within an organization

Conceptualization Called to seek a delicate balance between conceptual thinking and a day to day
approach

Foresight Enables the servant leader to understand the lessons from the past, the realities
of the present, and the likely consequences of a decision for the future.

Stewardship Assumes first and foremost commitment to the needs of others.

Commitment to the Recognizes the tremendous responsibility to do everything in his or her power
growth of people to nurture the personal and professional growth of employees and colleagues.

Building community Seeks to identify some means for building community among those who work
in businesses and other institutions.
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Notes
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