Leadership Development

The unparalleled challenges of today’s business environment are requiring more and more from the leadership of our organizations. Using our experience in designing and delivering internal leadership development programs for organizations we have created an intensive development program to build the leadership capacity of both individuals and the organizations they serve.

This six-module program is scheduled over a three-month period with two modules per month. Between sessions participants augment their learning through suggested reading and assignments for application. Class size is limited to 15 to maximize participation and interaction. The training is designed for those currently in leadership positions or who are tracked to assume leadership positions.

Module One: Assessing Capacity- Leading Self

“Until I can say, ’I am my master’ I can not say, ‘I am your servant’.” Kouzes/Posner

The process of expanding leadership capacity begins with a self-assessment that acknowledges a leader’s strengths and identifies opportunities for the leader to increase his or her power to receive, contain, produce and experience. Prior to the session for this module, participants complete and return a comprehensive leadership assessment. During the session participants receive an individual profile. These profiles serve as reference as results are explained and areas for development are identified. The capacity assessment provides an important framework for the remaining sessions enabling participants not only to learn from general leadership principles, but also to target areas of specific need.

• Pre-work: Completion of self-assessment to include:
  • California Psychological Inventory
  • Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory
  • Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior
• Examination of Assessment Results for each assessment
  • Leadership/Management Style
  • Communication Style
  • Utilizing the Skills of Other Personality Types
• Suggested Session Take Home:
  • Complete questions from: Lessons of Experience
  • Examination of Style Impact on Others
  • Readings on Personality Type and the Work Environment

Module Two: Building Capacity- Growing Leadership Skills and Knowledge

“Wisdom is the combination of knowledge and action.”

In Module Two, participants study leadership as a body of knowledge within four core areas: competency, credibility, courage, and compassion. Using videos and historical accounts of leaders, participants critically examine leadership styles, learn from successes and failures and draw from “lessons of experience.”

• The Four Cornerstones of Leadership
• Competence
• Credibility
• Courage
• Compassion
• Video Analysis of Leadership Styles
• Suggested Session Take Home:
  • Readings: Profiles in Leadership

Module Three: Focusing Capacity- Clarifying Purpose and Vision, Identifying Core Values and Maintaining Life Balance

“Without a vision the people will perish.” The Bible

Establishing a clear vision and identifying core values provides leaders with essential guideposts for setting priorities and determining how time and other resources will be allocated. In Module Four participants define a personal/ professional vision and learn how to engage others. They also identify core beliefs and values as well as strategies to establish and monitor life balance.

• Designing/Writing A Clear Purpose/Mission
• Developing A Clear Vision for the Future
• Identifying and Aligning Values
• Managing Time
• Determining Priorities
• Sharpening Management Skills


• Suggested Session Take Home:
  • Stephen Covey: First Things First
  • John Maxwell: The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader’s Day
  • Leader Interviews

Module Four: Maintaining Balance- Increasing Personal Energy

“Time and energy are the twin coins of life. Be careful lest someone spend them for you.”

In Module Four participants learn the skills to manage stress productively and to embrace and lead change. Through a combination of lecture and group exercises, participants develop strategies that enable them to avoid energy drains and increase energy levels required of leaders during times of change and stress.

• Becoming Change Ready
  • Transition or Change
  • Impact of Personality Type on Change Ready Skills
  • Complacency: Causes and Overcoming Them
  • Seven Keys to Being A Change Ready Individual
  • Building A Change Ready Organization
• Dealing Effectively With Stress
  • Causes and Impact
  • Stress Inventory: Personal and Professional
  • Stress Reduction Techniques
• Suggested Session Take Home:
  • Spencer Johnson: Who Moved My Cheese
  • Richard Carlson: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Module Five: Supplementing Capacity- Establishing Strong Support Systems

“Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does.” Margaret Mead

Even at maximum levels a leader’s capacity is limited. In Module Five, participants learn how to build capacity from the resulting synergy of combined effort and support. Leaders work effectively with and through others to accomplish objectives. Participants learn strategies to build and sustain high performance work teams and how to establish strong professional, social and civic support networks.
Module Five: Supplementing Capacity- Establishing Strong Support Systems (Continued)

• Building and Maintaining A Team
  • Selecting Team Players
  • Maintaining a Team Environment
  • Supporting Team Work
  • Managing Healthy Conflict
    
• Establishing a support system
  • Learning from a coach/mentor
  • Pulling on peers
  • Accessing knowledge through a resource network
  • Valuing social and civic connections
    
• Suggested Session Take Home:
  • Max DePree: Leadership Without Power
  • Personal Support System Analysis
  • Patrick Lencioni: The Five Dysfunctions of A Team

Module Six: Fueling Capacity- Combining Optimism and Action

“The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.”

In Module Six participants examine the power of optimism- the belief that one can succeed, that the goal is possible. Recognizing that optimism must fuel action, participants synthesize the learning from all six modules to develop a personal action plan that addresses areas for continued professional development, opportunities to grow as a leader, and commitments for personal accountability.

• Attitude Makes All The Difference
• Optimism is Contagious
• Becoming a Person of Influence
• Clarifying Expectations of Self and Others
• Personal/Professional Action Plan
• Goals
• Strategies
• Action Steps/Time Frames
• Thinking Strategically
• Responsive Actions
  
• Suggested Session Take Home:
  • Action Plan Implementation
  • Daniel Araoz and William Sutton: Reengineering Yourself: A Blueprint for Personal Success in the New Corporate Culture