Adding reality to role play

Many different techniques are available for use in developing managerial skills. These range from large, complex exercises which focus on organisational or group activities, to events based more upon individual behaviour. An example of this latter form of training is role play. Typically role play can involve an interaction between a “manager” and a “subordinate” acting out their roles according to pre-arranged scripts (which may be based upon actual or fictitious managerial situations). After the role play the participants will usually discuss their experiences, aided by feedback from an observer. It is hoped that this process can lead to more permanent changes in the leader's attitudes and/or behaviour.