Target Audience

Leadership Directions is an example of a program designed for new leaders working through the transition to leadership. The program can be designed for leaders with five years or more experience.

Program Length and Schedule

Sessions can be scheduled in half or full day sessions based on scheduling needs and the number of participants.

The Program Flow

Leadership Directions is designed to provide opportunities to learn and practice skills using real-life situations. Activities are designed in each session to encourage understanding and preparation for leading successfully. Action plans are designed to help participants continue the learning process beyond the training events.

• Develop your supervisors and managers into leaders who will:
• Communicate more effectively with employees
• Increase morale and productivity
• Improve professionalism
• Maximize the strengths of individuals
• Create dynamic teams
• Make a difference!

Leadership Directions can include the following sessions:

TrainSmart will customize this program to fit corporate goals.

	Session Title	Learning Objectives
1.	Leadership	Leadership Transitioning into a leadership role involves many skills and techniques. This course will define leadership and provide a baseline to the success of the leadership program. Participants will learn to: - Define leadership and identify leadership qualities - Understand the critical elements to effective leadership - Learn the keys to gaining respect - Understand corporate expectations for their role as a leader - Create a transition plan to leadership by identifying current strengths and weaknesses
2.	Communication Skills For Managers	Effective communication is the cornerstone to creating productive business relationships. A greater understanding of behaviors and communication styles that are different than our own can be a powerful tool in building those relationships and increasing communication and professionalism. Participants will learn to: - Learn to understand and respect different communication styles and behaviors - Learn how to interact with others more effectively by adjusting communication to fit the needs of others - Understand what can cause breakdowns between the intent and the impact of your communication - Learn listening skills to reduce misunderstanding and confusion - Learn to give and receive instructions clearly to avoid conflict - Learn how to turn perceived negative language into positive phrases - Understand and practice key communication skills
3.	Building Successful Teams	Successful teams are able to take individual strengths and put them together to accomplish common goals. Successful leaders understand how to put those pieces together. Participants will learn to: - Learn characteristics of successful teams - Understand the stages of moving a team from development through performance - Learn how to identify individual strengths and uncover team weaknesses - Learn to develop processes for communication - Learn to identify team values and goals - Learn to facilitate a team building session to gain input from team members - Learn how to effectively deal with team conflict and challenges
4.	Effective Meeting Facilitation Skills	Meeting Smart© Nearly 70% of meetings are considered to be a waste of time. Ineffective meetings lead to stress, overtime and lack of productivity. Lead meetings that team members want to attend. Participants will learn to: - Learn the components of an effective meeting - Identify when a meeting is necessary and when NOT to have a meeting - Learn how to create an agenda and stick to it - Learn effective ways to begin and end a meeting - Techniques to increase participation - Learn techniques to handle challenges and interruptions during a meeting
5.	Presentation Skills	This hands-on learning experience helps participants put together many of the critical elements to an effective presentation. Participants will have an opportunity to practice and receive feedback at the end of the session. Whether communicating information to one person or to a large group, this session will help increase confidence when presenting. Participants will learn to: -Learn the process of designing and developing a presentation - Identify objectives and clarify goals for presentations - Learn how to create and deliver a dynamic opening that grabs attention and sets the tone of the presentation - Learn how to create and use visuals that clarify and compliment your message - Work with techniques to reduce stress, fear of presenting and increase overall confidence and professionalism - Learn how to develop a presentation style that works with their natural personality and communication skills
6.	Time Management	“No one has enough time, but everyone has all that there is.” Why is it that some people manage their time more effectively than others? They have developed skills to effectively prioritize, schedule, delegate, plan, and organize tasks and projects with respect to the clock. Participants will learn to: - Learn how to assess their current time management habits - Understand the importance of setting goals and prioritizing - Learn effective planning and scheduling techniques for daily activities - Understand the difference between a project and a task - Learn how to estimate project timelines and create a schedule to meet deadlines - Learn techniques to avoid or manage common time stealers - Learn tips to organize paperwork, emails and information - Learn how to delegate effectively - Create an action plan for changing poor time management habits
7.	Managing Performance	Leading employees involves assisting them to perform at their highest potential. Learn the process of managing performance. Participants will learn to: - Learn the process of managing employee performance - Learn how to set and communicate goals and expectations - Learn how to identify and define employee problems - Learn how to provide coaching and feedback for improvement - Identify what kind of documentation is necessary and helpful - Learn how to create and deliver a performance evaluation - Learn how to work with Human Resources to resolve conflict and improve performance
8.	Managing Virtual Teams	Participants will learn to: - Successfully manage and lead a virtual team - Implement the keys when communicating virtually - Build trust on a virtual team - Motivate and recognize employees on a virtual team - Create an action plan to put the virtual team management fundamentals into practice
9.	Adaptive Decision Making	Participants will learn to: - Define adaptive decision making - Identify personal and organizational roadblocks to using adaptive decision making - Define when an adaptive decision is appropriate and when a more analytical approach is needed - Utilize various consistent approaches to accelerate the decision making process - Develop creative strategies to generate out-of the box solutions
10.	Rewarding & Motivating Employees (and Yourself)	Never before have we needed to recognize the need for building morale and keeping spirits high. This session will explore creative ways to keep employees, teams and ourselves motivated and enthusiastic. Participants will learn to: - Define Motivation - Identify a motivating environment - Understand different motivators - Identify techniques to recognize others - Explore ways to energize teams, individuals and yourself