Who should attend?

Managers that face leadership challenges in contemporary organizations.

Expected results
Motivate managers to take up leadership challenges in an organization, present specific tools for improved communication, influencing others and leading them in the right direction, instill the realization that leadership is a state of mind which can be achieved, and present a set of specific actions that can be undertaken to achieve that state of mind.

Training objective

Before the training, participants will be asked to read Joseph Conrad’s short story ‘The Secret Sharer’ (provided in electronic form).
The short story:

• Is a clear metaphor of leadership.
• Inspires the reader to think of leadership in terms of a ’state of mind’.
• Is a venture point for a discussion during the training - all problems presented in the short story have a reference to leadership in the context of an organization.

1. Leader vs. manager - 2 different roles which must be played by people who manage personnel in an organisation.
   The objective of this training module is to make managers aware that in addition to managerial functions that channel their daily attention to operating tasks, they are also perceived by an organisation as persons endowed with effective leadership skills, the ability to create an attractive vision of the future and inspire others. During this training module, we will discuss the need for leaders in an organisation - their contribution to the company’s development and factors that combine managerial and leadership functions on a daily basis.
2. Effective leadership - key mechanisms and principles.
   The objective of this training module is to present the most important mechanisms and principles of effective leadership. During a mini-lecture and a discussion, the participants will learn the following:
   • the qualities of a charismatic leader,
   • is charisma necessary in leadership,
   • the mechanisms of leadership in an organisation,
   • can leadership skills be learned,
   • what inherent qualities predestine some people for leadership more than others.

   We will also talk about situational leadership as one of the types of leadership in an organisation.

3. Effective leader’s tasks in managing others:
   The objective of this training module is to develop a list of tasks which should be performed by an effective leader in an organisation.
   We will develop a list of specific actions that need to be taken to inspire, lead and motivate others. During this module, we will give examples (through specially designed drills) of a leader’s language and communication style as opposed to what we usually encounter in an organisation.
   • Communicating vision,
   • Releasing energy,
   • Inspiring action,
   • Leading in the right direction,
   • Instilling enthusiasm and self-confidence in others,
   • Giving support and setting a positive example,
   • Encouraging others to cross personal boundaries and take responsibility (how leaders distribute tasks).
4. Leadership as a state of mind.
   The objective of this training module is to make the participants aware that leadership is a spiritual state and a life style based on our personal beliefs and values. During this training module, we will encourage the participants to take a closer look at those beliefs, and we will attempt to demonstrate how our attitudes, thinking patterns and actions affect our team members.
   • How our system of values, personal beliefs and attitudes affect the effectiveness of a leader and his team; Dilts’ pyramid, definition of leadership according to Robert Dilts
   • How to influence the values and beliefs of others
   • How to build a leader’s true authority based on values and a clear vision of the future (not based on authority, force or violence)
   • Leader’s growth - how our dedication to personal, professional, mental and spiritual growth contribute to our credibility and ability to inspire growth in others
5. Leadership styles and natural preferences – test.
   The objective of this training module is to discuss various leadership preferences and styles. Training participants will be encouraged to identify own and other people’s preferences.
   • Recognising personal leadership style preferences
6. Leader’s role in heading corporations and departments which are characterized by cultural diversity
   The objective of this training module is to discuss the role and particular tasks of leaders who deal with culturally diverse corporations. During this module, we will identify the main problems caused by cultural diversity and we will work out effective solutions for coping with those problems.
7. Ecology of management and leadership
   The objective of this training module is to make the participants aware that the effective reconciliation of many professional and personal goals requires massive energy. During this module, the participants will learn how to set personal boundaries, how to set priorities, how to maintain their physical and emotional well-being (specific examples), how to take good care of themselves to maintain the optimum balance between work and personal life.
   • What is a healthy balance, why we need it and how it can be achieved in view of our personal traits.
   • How we perceive the balance between our personal and professional lives.
   • Setting personal boundaries - are they rigid or flexible, what are the resulting advantages and problems.
   • Realistic priorities (how we achieve them) vs. ideal priorities (how we would like to achieve them).
   • The difficult art of resignation - how to give up constructively to preserve your life energy as a human being, manager and leader.
8. Putting theory to practice…
   • Leadout GAME. It is a board game which allows the players to select formal and informal group leaders in an unconventional way, it teaches leaders to effectively communicate with their team members, identifies the players’ inherent predisposition to become leaders, to inspire others, to take risks; it also identifies other mechanisms that govern problem solving and the entire decision-making process characteristic of management and leadership.
   • Training summary and planning individual post-training activities.

Training structure

2 days training, interactive workshop.

Methodology

The following training methods will be applied: mini-lectures, role playing, case analyses, problem solving, strategic games. Instructors will also use self-assessment tests and questionnaires.