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Leadership Development Series

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Our Leadership Series are hosted in partnership with:

KABA          RAMAC      RCEDC

One of our key services, the Living As A Leader Leadership Development Series, is a comprehensive, steady progress-over-time approach that equips leaders with depth and breadth of skill and knowledge. Participants include supervisors, managers, and other key leaders. In addition to offering this Series in-house, it is available as a Public Series option. This provides you the opportunity to send one or a few leaders at a time, launching each spring and each fall.

The Series consists of two critical elements for supporting the growth and development of leaders—skill-building workshops and coaching sessions with a leadership coach. Coaches help to ensure application of newly gained knowledge and skills in the workplace.

Leaders who successfully complete the Series will be workplace-ready—intentional and confident with the choices they make, instinctively knowing what to say and what to do.

It is important for participants of this Series to have formal direct reports. Our Emerging Leader Series is available for individual contributors who do not have direct reports.  

READY TO Register?

 

Leadership Development Public Series (Kenosha County - KABA)
October 5, 2023
    Leadership Development Public Series (Milwaukee)
October 17, 2023
REGISTER   REGISTER

 

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

  • The Process
  • Key Features
  • Coaching Sessions
  • Leaders of Participants
  • Success Assurances—"At A Glance"

Participating leaders will attend a half-day workshop each month, along with a one-on-one coaching session each month. These activities are supported by lifetime access to the Living As A Leader mobile app and eLearning courses. When participating in the Public Leadership Development Series, they learn to become intentional and hone the skills necessary for achieving consistency in their leadership.

  • Skill-building workshops combined with coaching, a unique approach that maximizes both education and application.
  • An up-front feedback opportunity, involving the participant and his or her boss. This helps us prepare a personal development plan for each participant.
  • The opportunity for participants to work with their own leadership coach.
  • Access to eLearning courses and the Living As A Leader Mobile App for added reinforcements along the way.

Participants tell us this is their favorite part of the Series! After deciding which tools acquired in their skill-building workshops will work best for them in certain situations, your leaders practice using these tools, day in and day out.

Our coaches work with your leaders individually as part of our Public Series. This one-on-one support gives them valuable opportunities to personalize their development, apply critical skills and address specific leadership challenges. Leaders participate in a one-hour coaching session on a monthly basis.

The participants’ leaders will also be engaged during the Series. We ask that they be familiar with the core leadership topics and skills provided during the skill-building workshops. The leaders of participants will actively participate in a three-way coaching conversation (after the second workshop) to identify the participant’s strengths and weaknesses as a leader.

We recommend that the participant’s leader touch base with him or her after each workshop to ask:

  • How did your leadership workshop and coaching go?
  • What did you find most helpful, interesting and useful?
  • What specific skills and tools are you applying so far?

We’re told over and over that our Living As A Leader process is different! Why? It isn’t just about training. Our process includes a thorough commitment to your success! While our focus is certainly on training and coaching, we have built a number of success assurance tools and activities into this comprehensive approach for you to consider:

  • Involvement of the participant’s leader
  •  Follow-up reinforcement activities
  • Reinforcement tools:
    • Participant Tip Cards
    • Leaders of Leaders Tip Card
    • Leadership Journal
  • Learning technology tools:
    • eLearning courses
    • Mobile App reinforcements

What's Included

12 Monthly Skill-Building Workshops

  • Comprehensive development to build knowledge and skills in critical areas of leadership.
  • Networking with peers in other organizations who have similar challenges.
  • Application of skills to ‘real life’ leadership challenges.
  • Increased confidence and competence to achieve greater results!

12 One-Hour 1:1 Coaching Sessions

  • Individual accountability and expert support for application of skills learned.
  • Practical solutions to address specific situations in the workplace.
  • Individualized professional development, based upon personal priorities.

Learning Reinforcement Tools

  • Involvement of the participant’s leader
  • Follow-up reinforcement activities
  • Reinforcement tools:
    • Participant Tip Cards
    • Leaders of Leaders Tip Card
    • Leadership Journal
  • Learning technology tools:
    • eLearning courses
    • Mobile App reinforcements

Skill-Building Workshops

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  The Seven Most Common Mistakes Leaders Make

Purpose: The Seven Most Common Mistakes Leaders Make conveys to leaders that their role in leading people is critical to success both in terms of employee engagement and business results.

 

We define leadership as engaging other people to deliver desired results, and this workshop provides a forum to help leaders learn more about how to do that.

 

Through the introduction of three foundational models, we challenge leaders to step back and think about not only the kind of leader they want to be but also the kind of person they want to be. With this foundation set, this session explores the reasons for and consequences of the seven most common mistakes leaders make and how to overcome them.

 

Process: This workshop is interactive and uses a variety of discussion methods and group activities to maximize participant involvement and engagement. Throughout the workshop, leaders will assess the degree to which each mistake is present (or not) in their day-to-day leadership of people.

 

Payoff: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will:

  • Understand why effective leadership is important.
  • Learn key models, skills and tendencies related to interacting with and leading employees.
  • Have new insights about the leadership mistakes they’re making.
  • Have a collection of strategies to overcome the seven most common mistakes leaders make.
  Be a Great Coach

Purpose: Be a Great Coach enhances a leader’s understanding of what coaching is and helps leaders overcome common misconceptions and limitations about their role as a coach.

 

This workshop introduces a six-step process that serves as a framework for coaching. A key area of focus in this workshop is how to Coach for Growth.

 

Two key messages in the workshop are:

1. Coaching is a style of communication

2. Coaching starts with questions

 

Process: This workshop combines individual reflection, application and small group practice to maximize the practice opportunities and skill development of leaders as coaches.

 

Payoff: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will:

  • Explore coaching as a highly effective style of communication.
  • Understand how and why coaching works.
  • Examine two different types of coaching.
  • Practice a six-step process and key skills to coach others effectively.
  Communicate By Design

Purpose: Communicate By Design teaches leaders how to coach others who are falling short of expectations in terms of behavior or performance. We call this Coaching for Improvement.

 

Leaders will gain the competence and confidence to conduct difficult conversations about unmet expectations with calmness and respect.

 

Effectively delivering these coaching conversations is important because they help others achieve higher levels of performance and success on the job.

 

Process: Participants practice our six-step coaching process with specific emphasis on how to apply it when Coaching for Improvement.

 

Payoff: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will:

  • Learn how to confidently and competently Coach for Improvement.
  • Explore two key factors that make Coaching for Improvement difficult.
  • Overcome common pitfalls when you Coach for Improvement.
  • Practice and apply the six-step coaching process to Coach for Improvement.
  Understand Your Leadership Style

Purpose: Understand Your Leadership Style helps participants see the impact behavioral style has on the ability to communicate effectively with others.

 

Style awareness helps leaders understand that they have a responsibility to become versatile in how they interact with the world around them, particularly with their own employees.

 

Process: This workshop incorporates the use of the DISC Interpersonal Style Report, analysis of the report and application to workplace situations involving individuals with different styles.

 

Payoff: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will:

  • Understand the impact of different behavioral styles.
  • Have an awareness of their natural style tendencies.
  • Know how to identify the styles of others accurately.
  • Increase awareness and tolerance of different behavioral styles.
  • Apply specific strategies to work more productively with others.
  Create a Culture of Employee Engagement

Purpose: In 2017, it was reported that disengaged employees cost organizations $450 - $550 billion annually (officevibe.com).

 

Create a Culture of Employee Engagement helps leaders understand the impact they have on employee engagement and introduces them to six strategies for creating a culture of engagement.

 

Process: Participants will measure their own engagement at work, as well as the engagement level of their team.

Through an introduction to a list of six strategies to create a culture of engagement, participants will have an opportunity to share knowledge and best practices.

 

Payoff: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will:

  • Recognize the compelling link between employee engagement and business results.
  • Have a clear definition of what employee engagement is and why it is important.
  • Understand one’s own individual level of engagement and the engagement level of their team.
  • Be equipped to implement six strategies to create a culture of engagement.
  • Have tips and strategies to use immediately as an individual leader to increase employee engagement and overall results.
  Maximize Performance 365 Days a Year

Purpose: Maximize Performance 365 Days a Year builds participants’ skills in order to maximize employee performance, day in and day out, all year long.

 

Participants explore the three key components of the Performance Management Cycle:

1. Setting expectations and goals

2. Monitoring efforts and results

3. Coaching and reviewing performance

 

Process: Through a combination of individual and group activities, participants explore each component of the Performance Management Cycle and develop an action plan to increase team clarity, motivation and effectiveness.

 

Payoff: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will:

  • Know the ongoing, interdependent activities needed to maximize employee performance 365 days a year.
  • Develop a plan to communicate broad expectations to all employees.
  • Understand the key types of goals that need to be established for employees and how these goals relate to expectations.
  • Recognize the importance of using consistent monitoring and communication strategies every day to ensure their employees achieve expectations and goals.
  • Examine strategies for coaching and reviewing performance.
  Support Yourself and Others Through Change

Purpose: Support Yourself and Others Through Change explores the dynamics of change, resistance to change and how leaders can better help themselves and others navigate through change as effectively and efficiently as possible.

 

A key focus of this workshop is teaching participants how to coach others who are struggling with change situations in the workplace.

 

Participants are introduced to the rational and emotional aspects of change and why change is necessary for a business to thrive. This workshop covers the predictable reactions of employees who may be struggling to move forward and how leaders can provide support and advance acceptance.

 

Process: Participants apply two change models to a unique change-related challenge within their organizations. They will explore barriers that prevent acceptance to those changes and create and discuss potential solutions with the other participants.

 

Payoff: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will:

  • Understand the need for continuous change, along with the predictable dynamics of change.
  • Be familiar with typical reactions to change, especially of employees who are struggling.
  • Identify current change-related challenges in the workplace.
  • Have an action plan to address a current change issue within their organization.
  • Learn how to coach others through change.
  Resolve Conflict

Purpose: Resolve Conflict equips leaders with an understanding of conflict so they are more comfortable managing it proactively and productively.

 

This workshop teaches conflict types, behaviors and reasons, and the five methods of dealing with conflict. A key outcome of the workshop is the development of conflict resolution strategies for current workplace challenges.

 

Process: Participants will complete the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument as part of this workshop. This workshop also includes a variety of interactive discussions and small group activities.

 

Payoff: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will:

  • Understand conflict and why it occurs in organizations.
  • Compare and contrast the five modes of conflict.
  • Develop strategies and an action plan to overcome an existing conflict.
  Create Productive Meetings

Purpose: Create Productive Meetings helps leaders become more intentional about how they create, manage and influence the effectiveness of meetings they facilitate and attend. Special emphasis is placed on leaders as change-agents who can positively improve the overall meeting culture within their organizations.

 

Process: Participants explore and examine a variety of simple, proven elements for structuring effective meetings, and they practice applying those elements to meetings they encounter in the workplace. Participants also work on strategies to enhance meeting participation, interaction and communication so that meetings become more engaging and impactful.

 

Payoff: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will:

  • Understand key elements of a productive meeting.
  • Know how to structure meetings in ways that heighten meeting effectiveness.
  • Be prepared to employ meeting processes for better participation and communication.
  • Make meetings they facilitate and attend highly productive and action-focused.
  Solve Problems, Make Sound Decisions

Purpose: Working in an organization involves two crucial skills – solving problems and making decisions. Yet, leaders often struggle with how to help others become better at these crucial skills.

 

Solve Problems, Make Sound Decisions explores leadership strategies, problem-solving methods and a complete problem-solving process that leaders can use to teach and guide others through problem solving and decision making.

 

Process: Participants use their real-time business problems to practice and explore specific aspects of problem solving and decision making. They also examine a variety of strategies for building these skills in others. Participants come away with a repeatable, teachable five-step process that involves clarifying the problem, identifying ideas, deciding on actions, executing the plan and reviewing outcomes.

 

Payoff: Upon completion of this workshop,

participants will:

  • Be able to explain the fundamental nature of problem solving and decision making, and the relationship between them.
  • Know various leadership strategies for building others into better problem solvers and decision makers.
  • Be equipped with a five-step process for problem solving and decision making that they can use on their own, with individuals and with groups.
  • Learn new methods for brainstorming, creative thinking and decision making.
  Focus Your Team

Purpose: The day-to-day whirlwind of activity in organizations makes it very difficult for leaders to ensure that their teams are working on what’s most important.

 

Focus Your Team teaches leaders how to heighten productivity by focusing on what matters most to drive the team and business forward.

 

Process: Through a combination of group and individual exercises, participants explore methods and strategies for enhancing team effectiveness and productivity.

 

Payoff: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will:

  • Understand the importance of “focus” for maximizing team productivity.
  • Know who their customers are and understand how that knowledge defines the team’s “mission of service.”
  • Be armed with strategies for helping team members think differently about how and where they apply their efforts to priorities and projects.
  • Have an action plan and tools to use with team members for focus and productivity.
  Lead By Design

Purpose: Lead By Design allows participants to synthesize their leadership development experiences over the past year and measure their growth as a leader.

 

Process: Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their participation in the Leadership Development Series. The session is highly interactive, with a variety of activities designed to maximize review of content, reinforcement of skills and application of material to real-life challenges.

 

Payoff: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will:

  • Have a summary of the key content from the leadership development workshops they have attended.
  • Have a comprehensive plan for addressing a complex, current leadership challenge through the application of key knowledge and skills gained from the prior workshops.
  • Understand their current strengths and opportunities for continuous improvement as a leader
  • Use their 360-degree feedback to complete a leadership plan.

Join Aleta Norris as she provides you
with information related to the 12-month Leadership Development Series. 

elearning and mobile appELearning and Mobile App elearning and mobile app

eLearning courses are available to all participants of the Public Leadership Development Series. They can be used as a refresher to complement facilitator-led training or as a convenient way to make up a missed workshop. The Living As A Leader Mobile App provides leaders the opportunity to access the skills and tools they are learning in the workshops. Additionally, the mobile app is used to launch Weekly Tips and To Do’s.

Learn More

What Our Clients Say About Us

"Living As A Leader has a fantastic team of leadership coaches and trainers. We have been a frequent subscriber to their leadership development series and the results are noticeable. We have also tapped them for specific one-off assignments and are routinely pleased with the outcomes. They understand well that successful leadership requires striking a balance between accountability and emotional intelligence."

– President, economic development organization

"I had the pleasure to take the 12-month training course a couple of years ago. I was initially skeptical of what sounded like basic training that most managers should know, but I was pleasantly surprised by the format and content of the training. Further, I was extremely pleased with the practical resources provided in the class. In addition to the training, the monthly one-on-one coaching sessions provided a safe environment in which I could work through some challenges and discover positive ways to implement my training. All of our managers have gone through the training and they have gained confidence in their skills as leaders. The domino impact of this training has been measurable both in productivity and morale."

– Executive Director, non-profit organization

"I was very skeptical going into the Living As A Leader program, but that skepticism was totally gone by the end of the first session. I’ve acquired tools that allow me to be an effective leader – both at work and outside the workplace. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that people are NOT born as leaders – they become effective leaders by learning and practicing leadership skills that are obtainable through this program. I would recommend the Series to any group – business or otherwise – that see potential in their individuals and want to grow them into effective leaders."

– General Manager, automotive service center

Frequently Asked Questions

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  How should we determine who should participate in leadership training?

Generally speaking, there are three types of leaders you may consider for attendance in our Public Leadership Development Series. One type to consider is someone already in a leadership role who you are grooming for more leadership responsibility. The second type may be a leader with a broad scope of responsibility and an opportunity to be more effective. Another potential consideration is the leader who is struggling overall in the role of leader of people.

We also believe that the Leadership Development Series is applicable to leaders at all levels, particularly those who have not previously participated in a comprehensive leadership development process. Most commonly, participants in this Series are individuals at supervisory and middle management levels of leadership.

We have many customers who enroll at least one leader in every Series that begins. It is an ongoing part of their organizational commitment to leadership development. We also have customers who enroll upwards of three to five leaders in every Series that we launch.

  What do you do to involve the leaders of participating leaders?

Within the Leadership Development Series, we involve the leader of each participant in the following ways:

  • Prior to the Series start, the leader of each participant is encouraged to meet with the individual and share why the person was selected to attend, along with the expectations for participation.
  • During the Series, the participant’s leader will receive a one-page executive summary of each workshop following the session along with a set of questions to ask the participant relative to content, application and value.
  • Early on in the Series, the participant’s leader will attend a three-way coaching session to align with the participant and the coach around the leader’s strengths and opportunities.
  • Upon completion of the Series, the participant’s leader will be encouraged to meet with the individual to discuss progress, skills and development goals for the future.
  What if a participant misses a workshop?

Leaders who miss a session can plan for the following:

  • The leader will receive a copy of the materials. The leader may have a co-worker bring the materials to your office, or the facilitator will ensure a copy is mailed.
  • The leader will complete the workshop via eLearning.
  • The leader may schedule extra time with their coach. Typically, a one-hour timeframe to walk through content will suffice in giving the general overview. This involves an additional fee.
  • The leader is also welcomed to participate in an upcoming workshop with another group. In the event he or she would like to experience the full in-depth learning experience, this can be done at no charge.
  What about leaders who may need additional support, beyond the training and coaching process?

As we work with organizations, we are commonly asked to provide additional coaching support to select individual leaders. This request may be made if a leader is a high performer in his or her area of expertise but has extreme difficulty in relating to people. In other situations, we are called upon when a leader is in a critical role and is not effective in holding his or her team accountable for results. These two situations typically involve a three to six-month coaching process. There is an additional fee for this service.

  What do you do when leaders are not serious about working at their leadership effectiveness?

One of the things that we encourage the leaders of participants to keep in mind is that it cannot be left to the preference of your leaders as to whether they do or do not commit to developing their skills as leaders of their people. As a participant in this Leadership Development Series, it is critically important that commitment to attendance, assignments and application be demonstrated.

  What happens when the Series ends?

Over the years, a frequently asked question at the end of the process is, “Now what?”. Most of our participating leaders grow accustomed to the steady support of their facilitator, coach and peer group. We offer additional follow-up services and reinforcements for graduates of the Living As A Leader Series such as one-on-one coaching packages, the Leadership Blog, YouTube videos and the Leadership Community Facebook group where members can interact and have their questions answered by our coaches.