The National Audit Office is using drama-based training as part of a programme to develop its next generation of leaders.
The programme is cutting the cost of recruiting externally for audit manager positions, by enhancing the leadership and communication skills of internal candidates. So far, more than 60% of participants have been promoted.
The programme covers communication skills, strategic thinking, personal resilience, personal impact and influencing, coaching and motivating others, and emotional intelligence.
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The Accelerated Development Programme has been run three times and three more are planned before the end of 2006.
Training firm Steps Drama brings the issues to life by running role-plays of different scenarios that an audit manager might encounter. The audience members coach the characters to help them improve their performance.