We often refer to someone as a born leader, and the belief is often true. However, experience shows leadership training can help most people assume command. Unfortunately, the value of such training is frequently overlooked, and many companies still adopt the age-old practice of promoting individuals based on their years of service, often continuing to do so even after they have reached the limit of their competence.
In practice, a company is similar to a machine. It can only operate at maximum efficiency when each of its parts performs optimally. When applying that principle to personnel, they must be encouraged and assisted to realise their full potential if their organisation is to grow and succeed. Because management styles and company cultures vary, even an external appointee with sound experience and glowing references might still benefit from attending a leadership development programme.
Any course can only be as effective as its content permits. In this case, the primary goal is to familiarise attendees with the essential qualities of a good leader and then assist them in practising and perfecting those traits to extend their personal development. Let’s begin by listing the core competencies that make a good leader:
While every one of these qualities is desirable, the main focus of a leadership development programme should be on honing people skills. In practice, a company often fails to meet its planned goals simply because employees don’t understand, share and contribute to those goals due to a manager or team leader’s ineffective communication skills.
Dealing effectively with conflict is another essential skill, especially for those expected to work together as a well-integrated team. Differences of opinion are a fact of life and are frequent between people with strong personal views. Nevertheless, it would be unwise to discourage these differences because they can often lead to valuable new ideas and insights as long as they can be resolved amicably. Consequently, conflict resolution skills should be seen as an essential component of good leadership and are based on patience, understanding, empathy and open-mindedness with a dash of creativity. Together, these form the fundamental elements of emotional intelligence.
One cannot transfer these skills through passive means like lectures and written notes alone. Teaching practical abilities requires an equally practical approach. Success requires the trainer’s direct, interactive and integrated participation. Thus, trainees see these skills in action, experience their benefits, embrace them and apply them to help their organisation grow and boost its success.
At Orgro, your challenges are an opportunity for our team of experienced industrial psychologists, business experts, and coaches to transform your company, improving its growth and business success by driving necessary organisational change. To this end, we focus on the essential qualities discussed, reinforcing them through individual and team coaching scenarios. If you are keen to learn more about how our leadership training programmes can help transform your business, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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