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Leadership Development Series

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Creating a sustainable leadership culture

Living As A Leader employs a steady-progress-over time approach to leadership development. Our model involves Training plus Coaching plus a variety of Learning Reinforcement Tools. We involve all leaders at all levels in the process.

This creates an environment of shared language, shared skill and shared approach to the leadership of the workforce. If the toolboxes match, then leaders can coach leaders, reinforcing the language and skill that they have been introduced to.

Having effective leaders throughout your organization helps increase profits and productivity, and reduce waste and cost.

Key Components

Learning

  • Series of 12 four-hour workshops
  • 90-minute small group coaching sessions
  • In-person or virtual

Reinforcement

Measurement

Community

  • Blog
  • Facebook leadership community
  • Peer coaching
  • Internal support teams

Implementing the Leadership Development Series

The Leadership Development Series implementation process begins approximately two months in advance of the first workshop, with an initial Get Started Meeting. This meeting sets the stage for all launch-related activities leading up to the formal kick-off of the Series.

Kick-off activities are an integral part of our process. The exact design and implementation of those activities will be determined by our delivery team. 

Once the Get Started Meeting and kick-off activities are complete, the unique design of your leadership development process will be implemented.

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.

What Our Clients Say About Us

"When we embarked on a search for the best partner to develop our leadership program, Living As A Leader came highly recommended from multiple referrals. While we are only one quarter into our year-long, customized program, I am already observing the skills at work, not only from the participants but from their leaders as well! I couldn’t be more pleased with the content, facilitation and program design."

– VP of HR

"I sought out Living As A Leader after vetting no less then seven other leadership training programs. This one is the real deal. They do not strain the student with high-minded philosophy but instead translate time-tested management principals into easy-to-understand concepts that are immediately applicable. The coaching sessions really drive home the lessons. It adds accountability to your personnel and reinforces what is taught in the workshops. It allows time for your people to try, fail, succeed and then reflect on what went right or wrong. LAAL becomes a partner to your company and sticks with you. "

– Director of Safety and Training

"Employee engagement is up. Absenteeism is reduced. Our teams are more productive. We see clearer expectations, fewer meetings and better interpersonal skills among staff. I find myself less likely to say, “I need to call a headhunter to fill a role.” Instead I ask, “Who can we develop?"

– Factory and Distribution Center GM

Frequently Asked Questions

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  What separates Living As A Leader from other providers of leadership development services?

At Living As A Leader, our mission is to provide concrete, relevant services to support leaders at all levels of an organization in a steady-progress-over-time fashion.

Our customers consistently mention four key reasons that contribute to their high levels of satisfaction and continued partnership with us:

  1. Our process. We are not event-based trainers. Our intentional process combines training plus coaching plus learning reinforcement tools to maximize sustainability.
  2. Our steady-progress-over-time approach. Customers appreciate this approach given the busy schedule that most leaders face daily.
  3. Our relevant content. We strive to put ourselves in the shoes of leaders and the employees they serve and to provide them with content, models and skills that work in the real world.
  4. Our skilled facilitators and coaches. While many professionals believe it would be fun to work for us, we are deliberate and careful in our selection of trainers, coaches and consultants. Each member of our leadership team has a proven track record of success in the leadership development arena.
  How important is it that our senior leaders participate?

Extremely. When senior leaders do not participate, it is inevitable that a participating leader will ask,“Why aren’t our senior leaders participating in this?”

The question you can ask yourselves is, “What kind of message do we want to send about the importance of this?”

  How do the leaders of leaders support the process

Leaders of leaders are participating in the process themselves and have other participating leaders who report to them also involved in the process. The leaders of leaders have a role in the accountability for application of what is being learned. Some examples of leaders of leaders’ activities include:

  1. Ask for the participant’s takeaways immediately after each workshop.
  2. Hold leaders accountable to complete their application activities.
  3. Have short discussions about leadership topics at each team meeting.
  4. Encourage participants to give more feedback, both positive and re-directing, to their direct reports.
  What if someone in our organization misses a workshop?

Leaders who miss a session can plan for the following:

  What happens when leaders complete their participation in the Leadership Development Series?

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.

Let's Chat

Don’t see what you’re looking for?  Please contact us to have a conversation about your specific leadership development need and how we can help you!

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