The success of these strategies underscores the importance of experiential learning and continuous adaptation in teaching methodologies. As the retail industry continues to evolve, particularly in the face of technological disruption and global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic (Chatterjee et al., 2021), the development of authentic, adaptable leaders becomes increasingly critical. Personal Leadership Journals Students were required to maintain personal leadership journals throughout the module. These journals included prompts designed to guide introspection and reflection on leadership concepts discussed in the audiobook. This activity fostered self-awareness, a cornerstone of authentic leadership, and helped students internalise and apply what they learned in a personal context (Wiewiora & Kowalkiewicz, 2019). The use of reflective journaling is supported by research showing its effectiveness in developing higher-order thinking skills and enhancing self-awareness (Jarvis & Baloyi, 2020). Online Daring Leadership Assessment The Daring Leadership assessment, a self-assessment tool based on Brené Brown’s research, was used to help students identify their leadership strengths and areas for growth. The personalised feedback provided immediate insights, enabling students to focus on specific aspects of their leadership development. This assessment was integrated with journaling activities, enhancing the reflective learning process (Crawford et al., 2020). Self-assessment tools like this can play a crucial role in developing selfawareness, a key component of authentic leadership (Steffens et al., 2021). Online Leadership Simulation: Change Management An online simulation focused on change management was incorporated into the curriculum. Based on the story “Who Moved my Cheese” (1998) by Spencer Johnson, the simulation required students to navigate various zones of resistance to change. This experiential learning activity encouraged students to apply theoretical concepts in practical scenarios, enhancing their problemsolving and adaptive skills (Simamora & Saragih, 2019). The use of simulations in leadership education is supported by research showing their effectiveness in developing practical skills and decision-making abilities (González-Durán et al., 2020). Retail Resolve: Interpersonal Skills Challenge The “Retail Resolve” role-playing game was developed to enhance interpersonal and conflict management skills. This game involved scenario cards presenting retail-specific challenges and response cards guiding team interactions. The game’s structure promoted active listening, emotional intelligence, and adaptive problem-solving, all critical skills for effective leadership in retail (Frazer, 2023). Role-playing games effectively develop interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, which are crucial for authentic leadership (Imam et al., 2020). Innovative Pedagogical Approaches These teaching strategies are grounded in experiential learning and scenariobased training. Students develop crucial interpersonal skills by integrating emotional intelligence and active listening practice (Imam et al., 2020). Adaptive problem-solving and peer learning mechanisms further enhance these capabilities. Immediate feedback, facilitated through scoring systems and reflective discussions, provides students with insights into their progress and areas for improvement (Shahzad et al., 2021). Teaching Innovation for the 21st Century | Showcasing UJ Teaching Innovation Projects 2024 23
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