How does an interdisciplinary approach work in an educational setting?
Academic courses will vary in the approach they take, but there are a few basic practices that are likely to make up part of any interdisciplinary-based program. In the first stages, this will involve creating a plan that includes open-ended questions. These are used to guide how things work in a physical or virtual classroom. Open-ended questions can feel less pointed and give the respondent more freedom when it comes to answering. It’s also a good way of gathering a range of thoughts and as such, it is a technique which directly relates to interdisciplinary ways of working.
Students are encouraged to think big
In their working lives, the majority of people become familiar and comfortable with other models of business leadership. As the concept can be completely new to them, students are briefed on interdisciplinary principles and using an interdisciplinary approach to view a issue. They explore how insights can be drawn from a range of disciplines and learn how to apply this knowledge to problem-solving.
Practical experience is used to refine analytical skills
Students may be asked to begin a session by thinking about an issue in relation to one discipline – usually their own. They will then be challenged to harvest insights from another discipline, one which differs from theirs. They use this new knowledge to update their initial findings and search for a resolution. They consider how the original and the new subject relate to each other and how they might work together. In doing so students gain a deeper understanding of interdisciplinary thought that they will eventually be able to bring to a workplace. Moreover, they learn to spot correlations between diverse subjects and how to use these to their advantage. Students might work alone initially, but by asking them to collaborate in groups they soon learn the value of different perspectives. Done well, the experience has many benefits for students. It builds confidence, as well as showing future leaders a new way to approach problems.
Students reflect on their progress
Another important aspect of interdisciplinary teams is the time and space taken to reflect on how things are going. This is both in terms of individual satisfaction and practical progress. In their studies, professionals are introduced to this idea through self-evaluation. Every project they undertake and the assignments they work on are marked in the usual way, but tutors often encourage students to evaluate themselves as well. Between universities, the competencies being taught may differ slightly, but in general, students will concentrate on certain key abilities.
Primarily they will strive to improve how they identify which disciplines could be relevant to the issue at hand and how these can be applied to find a solution. The student will also focus on how well they have brought together, or ‘synthesized’ concepts from various disciplines. Asking a student to analyze their own progress is another form of interdisciplinary education. It encourages the development of critical self-reflection and prompts people to take responsibility for their work.
Are there any barriers to interdisciplinary teaching methods?
Interdisciplinary study involves the participation of tutors and lecturers, but this does not necessarily affect the learning outcomes of students. For the best results, a program which takes an interdisciplinary line will be overseen by a diverse range of faculty members. It will involve professionals from several disciplines uniting to create and deliver the course. Each will aim to teach the same principle of making connections between subject areas.
Educating future leaders of interdisciplinary teams
People with previous experience in managing teams certainly have the advantage when it comes to learning this approach, as interdisciplinary leadership is informed by other models of leadership. It represents a move away from individual brilliance and certainty, to a more shared process. Interdisciplinary leadership is useful whenever an issue has multiple causes, appears contradictory in nature or has requirements that concern multiple stakeholders. Professionals who are seeking an online Ed.D. program with no GRE requirement can find the ideal course at Spalding University. Their collaborative leadership qualification can be completed in two years, so students can maintain their current post whilst working towards a better career.
Power is distributed evenly
Graduate courses that focus on interdisciplinary leadership provide future leaders with an excellent grounding in the concept and the ability to make it work in the real world. They move beyond the idea that it involves individuals with alternative perspectives inspiring each other. Rather, students are taught that this type of leadership combines decision-making with shared responsibility. Individuals are mindful of the power, culture and ethics brought to the table by themselves and others.
Everyone has a valid viewpoint
In a program which incorporates interdisciplinary learning, prospective leaders are taught sophisticated analytical skills. This involves using knowledge drawn from several academic disciplines to examine a question or a problem. By including insights from several viewpoints, students gain a deeper knowledge and are able to formulate a more comprehensive solution. Although cross and multi-disciplinary leadership skills are closely related, they differ from an interdisciplinary approach. This is because they consider a range of viewpoints before reaching a conclusion. Interdisciplinary teaching, on the other hand, encourages students to bring perspectives together and blend them in order to seek a solution.
Complex solutions to solve complex problems
From environmental changes to health equity, housing and education, the modern world has problems that cannot be addressed or resolved adequately by a single company or government. Instead, these challenges demand the sharing of perspectives and ideas across a number of departments, industries and disciplines. It’s also interesting to note that interdisciplinary leadership involves introspection, the consideration of one’s own views and how they were formed, for example. Therefore, leaders in this field may also confront the reasons behind a problem, so it can hopefully be avoided in future.
Future leaders develop lifelong learning skills
As students on an interdisciplinary leadership course become engaged with the work, their confidence and problem-solving skills are enriched. They are taught to recognize the presence of bias, think critically about the information that is being presented and appreciate a diverse set of ideas. Once they make connections between these concepts, a student can apply what they learn from one area to others. In doing so, they deepen their understanding of a subject. This process advances their learning, builds knowledge and lays the foundations for future habits.
Students open to new ideas
Many excellent leaders are open to new ideas as they recognize the benefits of diversity in the workplace. However, interdisciplinary programs take this one step further by asking students to challenge their current beliefs. They are asked to examine their current points of view about a topic, then they are introduced to different perspectives – some of which may vary greatly from their own. Once they feel able to put aside their pre-existing ideas, they are more open to learning and also more likely to consider alternative methodologies. They can conflate traditional ideas on how to get things done with cutting-edge concepts to come up with creative, novel solutions.
How does interdisciplinary training prepare new leaders?
With a thorough grounding in interdisciplinary leadership, people are more able to understand the complexities of their role at the helm. Furthermore, in a team that runs on interdisciplinary principles, everyone will eventually experience the same authority, despite their background. In these situations, the aim is to find innovative solutions that appear as a result of synthesizing disciplines. Nevertheless, in the earliest stages, a leader is needed to form the team and bring the various members together. Leaders who are comfortable with interdisciplinary work will not feel daunted by this process, as they know how to add the necessary energy and structure to the group. Each leader might have an individual approach to developing an interdisciplinary team, but there are some traits they share and these can make them highly sought after by prospective employees.
They inspire confidence in interpersonal situations
Bringing a team of people together is just the start for any leader, as the real trick is getting them to work collaboratively. Leaders with interdisciplinary training will understand the need to nurture a culture of safety and openness, as this enables people to speak out without fear. They encourage trust and respect, as this smooths the way for effective communication and shared learning. In part, they will do this by setting an example early on, this will involve communicating the mission and the intent of the team.
Interdisciplinary leadership is adaptable
A key element in this style of collaboration is flexibility, people examine their own opinions closely and may shift these views upon hearing from other members of the group. Therefore, the same ability to adapt and change is required of a leader throughout the team’s development. Unlike in a traditional team structure, the leader must promote continuous learning and process improvement, to sustain such a diverse collaboration. However, using this approach the leader will also ensure continuous improvement takes place by delegating the responsibility. In other words, he or she will ask the team to identify where change is needed and suggest ways to make that change happen. By involving everyone at every stage, an expert team is formed, rather than a team of experts. Holding such a dynamic environment together is a challenge, but with interdisciplinary leadership training, it is achievable.
The team’s skills grow and develop
In a standard team, each member operates individually to develop ideas. In order to sweep away this way of working, interdisciplinary leaders have to be ready to drive the process by persuading people to work with each other to co-create plans and ideas. Frequently, new approaches can be found at the intersection of disciplines, so team members have to feel curious and confident enough to unearth them. Leaders using this approach will keep their team cognizant of disciplinary connections and the relationship between their knowledge bases. This awareness means they are more willing to establish common ground and share information, rather than feeling defensive of their field.
Proactive leadership that drives the team
Interdisciplinary leadership is probably one of the most proactive of all managerial styles. It involves being ready for change and leading with an eye on inclusion. To bring out the best in everyone, people who are less vocal are encouraged to speak in a way they find comfortable. Furthermore, to prevent lower-ranking team members from feeling intimidated, active listening and reasoning are promoted. Differences are not ignored, rather they are acknowledged and explored. Part of each session will be made up of reflection and debriefing, to ensure the group remains on track.
The morale of the team is improved
Team morale is closely linked to key issues such as engagement, effective communication and productivity. The way a person feels about their work can also influence whether they are prepared to stay in a role, or whether they are focused on finding employment elsewhere. In an interdisciplinary team, the emphasis is on collaboration and the acknowledgement of diverse viewpoints. As members see their contribution taken seriously, they are likely to feel valued and more inclined to engage with the work.
Meeting challenges in new ways
CEOs and leaders across various industries can choose the type of teams they create. As a general rule, interdisciplinary leadership is not an intuitive choice. However, by investing in a leader with this training, companies can promote a more active team with members who pool their specialized knowledge to solve problems in pioneering ways.
