Czech Heroes and Leaders II

There is no better place to study the practice of courageous leadership place in than Prague, Czech Republic. The people here have had to endure the direct turmoil of both of the 20th Century’s most infamous tyrants: Hitler and Stalin. 

This was the capital of an empire, a democracy, under a totalitarian regime, and back to democracy. In the midst of dark and challenging times, leaders in Prague have mobilized others to live by their principles, to live in truth even if it meant risking their lives and families.

This module explores the lives of a founder, a forgotten women’s rights innovator, and a human touch that helped ignite the Velvet Revolution. Prague owes so much to these three leaders who endeavored to lay down their lives symbolically and literally for a better future for their fellow citizens. These three will challenge us to examine the meaning of democracy, equality for all people, and our responsibility to civil society. They faced down anti-Semitism, Hitler’s agenda, and communist normalization. We examine three themes: empowering stories, the influence of networks, and visionary citizenship.

This active learning course involves dialogue, experiential learning around the city, group activities and reflection. It is an academic course and the professor will provide insights from research, historical accounts, and leadership literature.

We meet in four sessions, two hours each, and tour Havel’s Prague for a unique Saturday experience.

For a detailed course schedule and content, please download the Course Outline.

How do stories impact a leader’s influence? T.G. Masaryk’s journey from traitor to founder (2 hours)

In this session we will explore together the following:

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Why are networks and allies so transformational in bringing change? Františka Plamínková’s journey from schoolteacher to international suffragette (2 hours)

In this session we will explore together the following:

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Is leadership for everyone? Jan Palach’s journey to visionary citizenship (2 hours)

In this session we will explore together the following:

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Power and Protest in Prague (4 hours)

We will take a unique guided tour of Prague Castle and Wenceslas Square to discuss the role of power, myth, responsibility and sacrifice in leadership. With special guests and critical discussion this will be a uniquely inspiring experience.

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Leadership for what? Applying the lessons of pioneers and patriots to today (2 hours)

In this session we will explore together the following:

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Joshua M. Hayden, Ed.D.

AAU Academy Instructor, LovePrague Courses
AAU Lecturer & Institutional Research Specialist

Josh Hayden earned his doctorate in higher education leadership and policy from Vanderbilt University in the U.S. and has published and taught in the field of leadership students for the past ten years. His research interests are Václav Havel’s moral leadership, leadership ethics and change, self-awareness, and adaptive leadership theory and practice. Josh led the Quality Enhancement Plan on Scholarship, Learning, and Academic Mentoring at Cumberland University and built executive education leadership programs at Lipscomb University, both in Nashville, Tennessee. He has worked with the community, educational and organizational leaders in Haiti, India, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Brazil. His wife and 4 children love the outdoors, the arts, sports, traveling, and he plays the banjo in his spare time.