Preparing for Leadership: What It Takes to Lead

Do you need comprehensive leadership training to prepare you for your next career step? Learn how to get noticed and selected for a leadership position while developing the effective leadership skills that confident, respected leaders demonstrate.

This specialized leadership training course is uniquely designed to help aspiring leaders prepare for their new challenges and responsibilities. You will explore the heart, soul, and mind of authentic leadership. Through engaging role-playing exercises, self-assessment tests, and realistic leadership training scenarios, you will examine various leadership roles, including strategist, change agent, coach, manager, communicator, mentor, and team member. You will also develop your unique leadership style for maximum personal and organizational impact.

Who should attend this course?

Any manager who needs leadership training to step into a leadership role or who is preparing for a new leadership assignment

Key benefits you will gain:

• Understand what defines a leader and what does not
• Project a more dynamic, confident professional image
• Discover your own unique and authentic leadership style
• Determine which leadership attributes you already possess and can leverage
• Apply lessons learned through training to your first leadership position with greater confidence
• Get noticed by learning how to look and communicate like a leader
• Understand what people expect and respect in leaders
• Apply lessons learned to develop your skills in gaining and using power and influence positively
• Learn proven methods to motivate diverse teams, including challenging individuals
• Protect yourself against the pitfalls of organizational politics

Content and topics you will cover:

• Is There a Leader in You? Exploring Your Leadership Potential
• What Do Leaders Talk About? Understanding Leadership Communication
• What Is Your Leadership Image? Projecting Executive Presence
• How Can You Build Your Influence and Power? Developing Personal Authority
• How Can You Develop Key Relationships? Building Your Network
• How Should You Handle Organizational Politics? Managing Power Dynamics
• How Can You Motivate People? Inspiring Team Performance
• Practical Methods to Approach Your First Day, Week, Month, and Year as a Leader

Detailed lesson outline and learning objectives

Learning Objectives Overview

• Identify Respected Leadership Qualities and Begin Building Your Authentic Leadership Voice
• Gain Insights Into Developing and Pursuing Your Own Unique Leadership Style
• Project a Positive, Trusted Professional Image and Executive Presence
• Identify and Use Your Sources of Power and Influence Effectively
• Expand Your Networks by Developing Key Relationships and Connections
• Effectively Participate in and Navigate Organizational Politics
• Motivate Others While Avoiding Demoralizing Behaviors with All Team Member Types

Who Is the Leader in You

• Identify the Qualities and Skills That Distinguish Effective Leaders
• Assess Your Own Current Proficiency with These Leadership Qualities and Skills

Leadership Styles and Communication

• Identify Different Leadership Styles and Their Applications
• Assess Your Own Personal Leadership Style
• Identify and Use Effective Communication Patterns and Techniques
• Identify the Types of Subjects Leaders Effectively Discuss
• Explain the Benefits of Clear Vision, Mission, and Value Statements Followed Throughout an Organization
• Create Vision, Mission, and Value Statements

What Is Your Image as a Leader

• Project Executive Presence and a Positive Professional Image of a Leader
• List the Factors That Impact Trust and Credibility
• Establish Credibility and Authenticity With Others Around You
• Apply Knowledge of Your Own Leadership Skills and Presence to Better Lead Your Teams

Relationships and Networking; Building Power and Influence and Handling Organizational Politics

• Identify a Leader's Sources of Power and Influence
• Assess Your Own Current Power and Influence
• Expand Your Power Networks by Developing Strategic Key Relationships
• Describe Ways That Leaders Can Build Their Power and Influence
• Differentiate Between Good Politics and Bad Politics in Organizations
• Explain Why Leaders Must Understand and Participate in Organizational Politics
• Identify the Different Political Organizational Structures That Exist
• Identify Strategies for Getting Others to Support Your Agenda
• Effectively Engage with Adversaries and Difficult Relationships

How You Can Motivate and Mentor Others

• Identify Ways to Motivate and Engage Your Team Members
• Manage a Coaching Discussion Effectively
• Differentiate Mentoring from Coaching: Understanding the Differences
• Identify What Makes for a Good Mentor and a Positive Mentor-Mentee Relationship