Developing a skilled leadership team is critical for sustained and long-term business success. Our leadership programs address the following skill sets:
| Leading change Influencing others Leading by vision and example Motivating others Driving for results Encouraging teamwork |
Implementing change Managing the personal change process Driving for results Motivating others Influencing others to change |
The following summarizes the leadership curriculum that is available as workshops, blended online learning programs, and webinars.
Leading in a Changing World
Strong leaders are critical at all levels of an organization today, probably more so today than ever before. Leading in a Changing World is the first course in our leadership development series. This program looks at the evolution of business and the workforce, and stresses the importance of being both a leader and a manager. The course also offers strategies and practices to help leaders translate their organization’s strategic direction into action.
The following outlines the modules for this dynamic and relevant one-day leadership program.
Module 1: Why Business Needs Strong Leadership
This module explores the dynamics of the ever-changing business environment, and the responsibilities of management in leading and making decisions. The module also presents overviews of research about the current workforce, and examines differences among generations that may require managers to use new styles of leadership.
Module 2: Defining Leadership and Management
During this module, we define the terms “leadership” and “management.” The module identifies the differences between the two, and builds a case for why managers need to be both leaders and managers.
Module 3: Understanding Your Strategic Direction
Understanding the strategic direction of the organization allows people to see how they contribute. During this module, we offer the opportunity to outline the organization’s strategic direction, including the vision, mission, values, and strategies.
Module 4: Communicating “The Big Picture”
During this module, we provide skills and techniques to communicate the organization’s vision, mission, values, and strategies (The Big Picture) to the people working in your organization. The module introduces storytelling as a way to engage and motivate people to take action.
Performance Outcomes:
- Recognize why leaders must lead by vision and example rather than by command and control.
- Define the most significant trends facing the organization and identify the role of leadership in staying ahead of these trends.
- Differentiate between being a leader and manager, and understand why both are important.
- Learn to communicate the organization’s strategic direction in a way that engages and motivates employees.
Delivery Options:
- Workshop/Classroom-Based Instruction: 8 Hour Session
- Facilitator-Led Webinar: 4 Hour Session
Championing Change
The pace at which organizations need to respond to the changing marketplace is staggering—especially in today’s economy. Championing Change defines the role of managers as implementers of change, and stresses the importance of managing change effectively.
The following outlines the modules for this practical and tools-rich program. This course is available as a facilitator-led program, or as online training.
Module 1: Becoming a Champion of Change
Change continues to be at the top of business agendas and in the forefront of leaders’ minds. During this module, we explore what it means to be a champion of change, and we introduce the five steps to championing change.
Module 2: Building the Case for Change
In this module, we examine ways to build the case for change, create a sense of urgency around the change, and help people understand that maintaining the status quo is often more risky than change can ever be.
Module 3: Creating the Vision for Change
Vision is essential in organizational change because it provides direction. During this module, we look at ways to create a compelling picture of what your change will look like once it is fully and successfully implemented.
Module 4: Designing the Plan
In order for your change initiative to be successfully implemented, you will need to develop a plan. As a champion of change, you must provide a framework to plan and communicate what needs to be done, and who is going to do it. We develop that framework during this module.
Module 5: Mobilizing Your People
People are the most significant element in successful change implementation. During this module, we explore why people resist change, identify ways to minimize that resistance, and determine how to deal with resistance when it does occur.
Module 6: Maintaining the Momentum for Change
Implementing change is a marathon, not a sprint. In this module, we look at specific techniques and practices that you can use to support the change process and keep the momentum going.
Performance Outcomes:
- Describe why it’s important to embrace and initiate change.
- Build a case for change and create a sense of urgency to drive people out of their comfort zones.
- Create a vision of what the change will look like once it is fully and successfully implemented.
- Work with people to get buy-in and commitment to the change.
- Keep the momentum going and sustain the change effort.
Delivery Options:
- Workshop/Classroom-Based Instruction: 8 Hour Session
- Facilitator-Led Webinar: 4 Hour Session
- Blended Learning: Four 20-minute online courses (prework), plus manager/trainer facilitated team workshops
Creating High-Performing Teams
Ever wonder why certain teams clearly outperform other teams? Creating High-Performing Teams includes research-based success factors that directly affect team performance, and outlines a process for increasing a team’s effectiveness and productivity more quickly.
The following outlines the modules for this team development program. This course is available as a facilitator-led program, or as online training.
Module 1: Why Teams
Teams go through several stages to attain high performance. During this module, we identify these stages and examine the factors that are necessary to shape a high-performing team.
Module 2: Establishing the Team Objective
A common objective is imperative for a high-performing team. A team objective has two elements: clear goals and a compelling purpose. In this module, you learn how to craft an objective for your team at work.
Module 3: Structuring the Team Partnership
Established roles and responsibilities are important for members of a high-performing team. We identify team behaviors that are most conducive to teamwork and collaboration, and we outline why it is imperative that team members have a set of operating guidelines—norms that set expectations and define team behaviors.
Module 4: Managing the Team Day-to-Day
Five common responses can be used to resolve team conflict. During this module, we discuss when each response is effective and appropriate to use. In addition, we list the steps required to hold people accountable for results and introduce planning guidelines and tools to increase the effectiveness of team meetings.
Module 5: Team Work
The focus of this module is on applying what you have learned about high team performance. You formalize your team objective and formulate a set of ground rules for how team members will work together.
Performance Outcomes:
- Identify the factors needed to create a high-performing team.
- Develop a strong team objective—clear goals and a compelling purpose.
- Write a set of operating guidelines for how team members work together.
- Recognize the importance of managing conflict and communicating as a team.
- Know what needs to be in place for a team to perform at its highest level.
Delivery Options:
- Workshop/Classroom-Based Instruction: 8 Hour Session
- Facilitator-Led Webinar: 4 Hour Session
- Blended Learning: Four 20-minute online courses (prework), plus manager/trainer facilitated team workshops
Strategic Business Partnering
In today’s competitive business world, organizations have to do more with less and become more productive—with internal shared services groups being no exception. If your organization wants HR, IT, Finance to add greater value to your organization, then Strategic Business Partnering is the solution.
The following outlines the modules for this 2-day training and simulation. Included with this program is a business simulation that provides an opportunity for HR, IT, Finance, and other professionals to develop and practice their internal consulting skills.
Module 1: Introduction to Strategic Business Partnering
People within organizations have become conditioned to expect their internal consultants to come in with their pre-diagnosed, pre-prescribed solution. During this module, we explore how to become client-centric by placing the internal client’s interests and needs first, and then recommending a solution to meet those needs.
Module 2: Preparing for Meetings
Every contact you have with an internal client is an opportunity to add value. Whether it is communicating an idea or providing a new service, it is important to be prepared for every meeting. During this module, we explore how to effectively prepare for client meetings and establish your credibility as an internal consultant.
Module 3: Discovering Client Needs
A critical component of being a strategic business partner is building a relationship with your internal client. During this module, we explore ways to engage and connect with your clients. We also discuss the effective questioning and active listening skills that enable you to fully understand your client’s issues, challenges, objectives and needs.
Module 4: Defining Value
The key to being a strategic business partner is to know how you can provide value to your client and to your organization. During this module, we discuss the importance of defining value from the client’s perspective, and we explore how to communicate your value proposition so your clients understand the value you provide as a business partner.
Module 5: Recommending Solutions
Your solutions must target the needs of your internal clients. This is why identifying your client’s needs and their definition of value is so important. During this module, we explore how to develop a targeted solution, and how to communicate the benefits of your solution.
Module 6: Gaining Agreement
With a strategic business partnering approach, you are gaining agreement throughout the process by understanding needs, recognizing how you can provide value, and recommending solutions that are on target. During this module, we explore ways to address any client concerns and influence the decision making process.
Performance Outcomes:
- Prepare for internal client meetings more effectively.
- Structure a discovery process to understand internal clients’ needs.
- Demonstrate the ability to ask strategic questions.
- Define how to create value for their clients and their organization.
- Recommend and present solutions that are on target.
Delivery Options:
- Workshop/Classroom-Based Instruction: 8 Hour Session
- Facilitator-Led Webinar: 4 Hour Session