What Makes Leadership Development Programs Succeed?
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” — Alan Kay
The Question
What makes an effective leadership development program?
What was your path to leadership like?
When I peel back the layers, I think back to starting this March break camp at 17 with my buddy. (You can hear the full story in the video below).
And yet, in a formal workplace, we've cluttered what leadership is with bureaucracy, title politics, favouritism and misconceptions that leadership is for a chosen few. Or even that leadership is reserved for charismatic individuals with distinct inherent traits, leaving many others struggling to settle into their leadership potential.
But I wouldn't be doing what I do today if I didn't believe that leadership is more than identity - but an action.
Everyone has leadership potential waiting to be unlocked with the right tools. This week, the tool I want to share with you is how you can uncover a leadership training program that's right for you with hands-on experience, real-life scenarios, and personalized coaching to help you develop the leadership skills you need to succeed.
The Research
While every development program should cater to your individual needs and circumstances, there are specific competencies that Gallup's research has identified as essential for future managers.
After analyzing 550 job roles and 360 unique competencies, Gallup pinpointed seven key leadership competencies commonly found in managers who lead successful, high-performance teams in thriving organizations.
Here are these seven competencies to keep an eye on:
1. Relationship Building: Effective leaders forge connections, foster trust, and collaborate to achieve common goals.
2. People Development: They empower others to excel by nurturing strengths, setting clear expectations, and offering guidance and support.
3. Change Management: They drive purposeful change initiatives aligned with the organization's vision, setting clear goals and leading transformative efforts.
4. Inspiration: They motivate and uplift their team members through positive reinforcement, vision-sharing, and acknowledgment of achievements.
5. Critical Thinking: They analyze information, evaluate options, and solve problems effectively, leveraging knowledge to make informed decisions.
6. Clear Communication: They actively listen, articulate ideas clearly, and remain open to diverse perspectives, fostering effective communication within the team.
7. Accountability: They hold themselves and others accountable for their actions, fostering a culture of responsibility and ownership.
Some Advice
If you're a new manager feeling lost in the leadership maze and uncertain about your progress, consider crafting your own training plan. Don't hesitate to involve senior leadership in implementing it.
For this instant, we've created the New Managers Playbook, divided into six manageable sprints, each outlining essential skills every manager should master. This resource serves as your roadmap for delivering top-notch training for rookie managers or taking charge of your own development.
Your Hack
When it comes to selecting a leadership training program, the options can feel overwhelming. With countless companies offering their services, how do you determine which one is right for you?
If you're still trying to learn and understand your options regarding leadership programs, we've compiled what to look for to choose the right option for you.
领英推荐
Check out the tips below.
While factors like budget, specific needs, and future goals play a role, there are certain qualities that every successful leadership training program should possess.
Here are some key considerations to keep in mind as you explore your options:
Tailored Courses: Look for programs customized to your industry or department. Whether in human resources, startups, IT, or another field, finding courses that cater to your needs can make all the difference.
Experienced Instructors: Research the instructors leading the program. Ensure they have a strong grasp of the material and real-world experience. A knowledgeable and engaging instructor like Fahd Alhattab from Unicorn Labs can greatly enhance the learning experience and open doors to future opportunities.
Delivery Method: Consider whether the program is offered online, in-person, or in a hybrid format. While in-person programs offer hands-on training and personal interaction, online courses may be more convenient for remote teams.
Retreats vs. Traditional Programs: If the budget allows, consider a leadership training retreat for a unique and immersive experience. Retreats offer a blend of learning and team-building in an offsite setting, fostering camaraderie among participants.
Target Audience and Style: Ensure the program is suitable for the level of leadership you're targeting, whether it's executives, mid-level managers, or entry-level employees. Additionally, consider the teaching style and philosophy of the program to ensure it aligns with your goals.
Embrace Challenge: Seek programs that push you out of your comfort zone. Opting for modern leadership principles and innovative ideas can transform your organization.
Parting Thoughts
Leadership development programs might seem like a luxury, with a hesitance to dive into them. This reluctance often stems from a gap between the program's long-term goals and the organization's short-term expectations.
But change will require effort.
Ultimately, a top-notch leadership program aims for lasting growth and impact. But to make it happen, everyone needs to be fully on board and committed to that growth. Without this organizational-wide commitment, even the most stellar program will fall short.
Knowing where you and your organization stand on that commitment is your biggest precursor to choosing a program for you.
Unicorn Leaders — The Podcast
Have you heard the newest episodes!?
Our most recent podcast guests are Andre Fernandez and Eva Manole.
Andre Fernandez (Co-Founder & CEO at Invert) dives into how he found his way into creating a socially impactful business while sharing valuable lessons and principles that he embraced on his journey to success as a leader, from letting go of micro details to building high performing teams and influencing decision-making processes, he's going to get into tactical ways that will transform your leadership approach and how you create meaningful impact.
Eva Manole (Director, Org. Dev. at Fullscript) shares the use of a product-led mindset for developing new strategies for learning and development at Fullscript, with about 800 employees. She dives into new strategies she used to build community among teams in her current role. She shares the tools, resources, and approaches used in developing opportunities that helped individuals blossom in their own way.
Take a listen & subscribe.
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Sincerely,
The Unicorn Labs Team
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