PwC Ulysses Program: A Critical Analysis of Leadership Development

Running head: EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

Introduction
The aim of the report is to critically analyze the Ulysses program of PwC and its significance in
attainment of business goals and objectives. PWC Ulysses program is an ambitious program for
leadership development which aims to improvise and enhance the leadership potential of the
talented employees thereby creating a diversified team of professionals with versatile skills and
abilities.
Answer to question 1
The competitive challenges which motivated PwC to incorporate a Ulysses program were the
need to inculcate a new form of leadership training which will help the personnel to cut across
cultural, social and political barriers and provide creative solutions in an unfamiliar
circumstances. The need for multicultural orientation for employees to work in a diversified
environment like that of poor or developing nations in order to produce some challenging
workforce who can work in dynamic and meet challenges more promptly. In order to provide an
idea on wider spectrum of issues, developing interpersonal skills by communicating with
personnel across the globe and develop an international perspective in a cut-throat competitive
world, PwC, through this program formed a leading professionals to excel in every domain and
instill values such as community development which forms a fundamental basis for corporate
culture (McCallum, Schmid & Price, 2013).

Answer to question 2
Ulysses program was a quintessential element and fundamental to PwC strategy to achieve its
business goals and objectives. This program added an element of flexibility as the personnel
which were a part of the program could undertake their role more efficiently. This has not only
improved the productivity and performance thereby achieving the goals of organization more
promptly. Further, the missing geographical and multicultural context in the organization
ensured that this program imbibed the essence of diversity and expand its leadership base
(Mirvis, Thompson & Gohring, 2012). This not only enabled the personnel to adopt unique
practices in solving organizational issues but also infused a vigor and zeal among the employees
to work towards their goal efficiently.
Answer to question 3
Ulysses was an effective program as it reinforced creativity, flexibility and created a dedicated
team who can work in dynamic environment and meet the challenges more actively. The
program was undertaken in poor and technologically limited nations which was new for the
personnel to work in such a constrained environment. The personnel built capacities as one of the
individual created a business plan for eco-tourism in Belize which helped the economy to revive,
thus enhancing the creative abilities of the workforce. Recognizing and building future leaders
was an essential outcome as many of the personnel who were a part of this program went on to
hold senior responsibilities in leadership roles at domestic and global levels (Pless, Maak &
Stahl, 2011). Working in technology deficient environment, the employee understood the
essence of verbal communication over e-mail communication as it helped them to infuse trust
and confidence among the employees.