Every organisation – multinational, corporate, professional practice or family unit – is right now undergoing continual and dramatic change.
For a few, it could be easy and comfortable.
For most, it definitely is not.
And unless it’s handled well and responded to positively, it can quickly become dysfunctional and very destructive.
Our challenge is not just to navigate the chaos, but to work with it, to learn and maintain some stability at quantum speed! To learn to tapdance on a moving ice rink!
Chaos is transformative. That’s its actual purpose and real value.
Join us on our Wednesday morning webinar, where CTO presenter Catherine will share:
– The Path of Least Resistance – Self-mastery in action
– The 4 Noble Truths for wisdom and peace
– The 5 Chaos Crunchers to help you through this time
She will leave you encouraged and confident to move forward with strength.
Effective communication skills are a hallmark of a good leader and being able to communicate expertly is your golden ticket to succeeding in the workplace.
To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.
Tony Robbins
As you know, “It’s not what you say, but how you say it.”
And this adage has never rung truer than in workplace settings. Without effective communication skills, misunderstandings can easily arise. This is something you want to avoid, as they not only affect work relations but also impact productivity, job satisfaction, and morale.
Effective Communications training is available from Corporate Training Options and can be structured to meet the needs of your team. See more details here.
To help cultivate improved communication skills in your workplace, here are five techniques you can practice from today.
1. Conduct open meetings
Open meetings are not about getting out into the great outdoors, although walking meetings are becoming more popular, and increase your fitness as part of the process.
Open meetings are where everyone can contribute, and are great for facilitating honest communication – whether it’s about a new project, a new policy, or a routine weekly team report.
The inclusive nature of an open meeting makes it ideal for expressing your passion and feelings about the meeting agenda. It’s also a great vehicle for getting your team to express their feelings to you as well. Make sure you allocate a specific number of minutes for each point on the agenda and let your team know the agenda in advance, so they can come prepared.
2. Send group emails
Emails are a convenient business communication tool. Through email, you can send reminders to your team such as quotas, reports due, important team announcements, meeting information, etc. You can send short notes of encouragement as well. Your openness to your team expressed through email communication will also encourage them to be open, through the same medium.
3. Hold one-on-one meetings when necessary
If there are team members who seem unsure about certain policies or office protocol, you can always take them aside and help them to better understand procedures, through a one-on-one discussion. You can also do the same when you need the assistance of key members in your team for a project, to ensure you’re on the same page about everything.
4. Encourage your team to attend effective communication training
Make effective business communication part of your staff development agenda. Any investment you make in improving your employees’ communication skills will translate into a more professional and productive work environment.
5. Be sincere and honest, and keep it simple
There’s nothing like a tense work atmosphere to kill openness and understanding. Speaking to your team only when you’re on the brink of a major outburst will be fruitless. The same can be said if you earn the reputation of not meaning what you say, or if you deliberately confuse the people you are addressing, to get them to agree with you.
Be sincere and honest in all your communications. It will help to build trust with your team, plus you’ll sleep better at night.
If you’ve made a mistake, admit it, own it and work out how to fix the problem. You will become a better person because of it, plus your team will feel much more comfortable to admit their own mistakes when they make them.
Keep all your communications simple. State what you need, and check that the person or team you are working with have understood what you said, and what actions you need them to take.
Thank people. As a simple act of courtesy, make it a point to always thank your team after each communication session, whether in person or via email. You will be amazed at how much people appreciate this one simple kindness.
In Summary
In order to thrive in the long term, you need clear and effective lines of open communication in your workplace. Make sure you invest in learning effective communication skills and you will reap the benefits.
See how much easier it can be to work with your people and teams, and how much more comfortable, open and friendly your workplace can be for everyone.
Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success.
Paul J. Meyer
Learn more about the course
It’s important to get the right kind of training for you and your team, so you can really harness the power of effective communication. You may think it takes weeks or months to complete. But what if you were able to enhance your skills in just one day?
Corporate Training Options has a one-day course covering everything you need to know about Effective Communication in the workplace.
Gain insight into your personality type and communication preferences
Learn to recognise other people’s personality types and communication preferences
Learn to adjust your own communications approach based on need and situation
Understand barriers to effective communication and how to overcome them
Learn how to effectively utilise tone
Master methods for speaking on the spot
Learn to listen actively and effectively
Gain insights into asking open questions
Become a more effective communicator through the use and application of practical tools
This course also helps you to adapt your face-to-face strengths, to other types of communications.
For more information on the skills you will learn in the course, visit the Effective Communication course page on the CTO website.
“The training was very well structured, and I enjoyed learning about the methods of communication and different styles of behaviours. As a result of this training I will listen and engage more with my customers.”
Melinda, Lincoln Electric, Sydney, NSW
About Corporate Training Options
Corporate Training Options (CTO) is a Business Training Company, which provides training in essential business skills, via onsite and online professional development courses. The courses provide a cost-effective way of ensuring you and your team are presenting your best image to the world.
CTO onsite courses are presented around Australia and in many international locations. Your training is customised to meet your requirements and will assist you to develop strong skills in:
Customer Service
Leadership & Management
Strategic Business Planning
Project Management
Marketing & Sales
Business Administration
Finance & Accounting
People & Culture
Computer Software Training
Personal Development
For more information on the range of Business Training Courses available, please visit the CTO website – cto.com.au
We look forward to working with you, to build your confidence, improve your efficiency and maximise your potential.
Achieve Excellence in Supervision by jumping the hurdles that stand in your way
If you want to achieve excellence in supervision for your organisation, there are some hurdles you’ll need to jump to get there.
Why? Well, first some of the people promoted to supervisory roles will be people you already have on staff. They may be highly skilled at what they do, but perhaps need further training in supervisory skills.
Or, you may decide to hire your next supervisor from outside your business, so there are many things to take into consideration with this process too.
Thirdly, you need to ensure your new supervisors can achieve excellence in supervision, as it is vital to your team’s productivity, morale and sense of purpose. It is also important for the culture of your organisation that highly trained staff are in the roles of supervisors. Many corporations underestimate how important this is.
Excellence in supervision is crucial in nurturing the development of new skills and knowledge for your people and your corporation’s vision and mission.
If you’re looking for real-world practical skills and training to take your new supervisors to the next level, take a look at the Corporate Training Options Excellence in Supervision Training course to meet your needs!
The hurdles you may need to jump to achieve Excellence in Supervision
This month we decided to ask some of our corporate clients what their biggest hurdles were when it came to:
Promoting coworkers to supervisory roles
Achieving excellence in supervision
Here’s what they came back with.
Hurdle #1 – Lack of experience communicating effectively with employees, peers and managers
When it comes to communicating effectively with employees, peers, and managers, many new supervisors struggle.
This is common because many people promoted in-house to a supervisory role have no communication or supervisory training before taking up their new position.
The reason for this is many managers assume that the new supervisor already possesses the communication and supervisory skills needed, because they have worked in the business for some time. In many cases, this is inaccurate.
Many organisations now realise that just because the person they have promoted to a supervisor role may have worked in their company for years, supervising and leading a team is different, and requires additional training, mindset and skills.
Hurdle #2 – Defining the Role of your New Supervisor
The next hurdle for many organisations is defining what the supervisor’s role is and what it involves.
In many cases, people promoted to a supervisory role are in-house staff. They will be replacing someone who was in that role before them, or the company may have created a new supervisory role due to growth or expansion.
It is therefore important to be able to define the role of the supervisor position, so a smooth transition takes place that benefits the new supervisor, his or her team and your organisation as a whole.
Hurdle #3 – Determining Existing Skills & Future Supervisors Training
The third hurdle you have to consider to achieve excellence in supervision is defining the existing skills of your new supervisor and what supervision training is required.
Admittedly, many of the skills the new supervisor has will have played a part in their promotion to a supervisor’s position. This could be a combination of their problem-solving skills, attitude, expertise and any number of things.
However, as mentioned earlier, many people promoted to supervisor roles from within an organisation may know the work, but may need to improve their skills to lead and manage a team effectively, or to meet the requirements of their senior management.
Hurdle #4 – Promoting the wrong Candidate and hoping things will work out
Occasionally, employers promote people to supervisory roles for the wrong reasons. Some organisations admit they assume that the person they’ve selected to a new supervisory role will rise to the challenge.
Usually, they do. However, in some cases they don’t, which can be stressful and detrimental for everyone involved. Of course, no one knows if the person who has been promoted to supervisor will make the transition easily or not.
The real point here is that not everyone is suited to being a supervisor. If the person you have promoted to supervisor is not working out, you should discuss it with them and ask if they would like training, or if they are really not coping, would they prefer that you reselect another candidate. This may sound strange, but in fact, could be a relief for an employee who has been promoted to a supervisory role, and is not coping with the move.
Egos can get in the Way
Another problem is that egos get in the way. It could be the new supervisor’s ego, your own or whoever promoted the person to the supervisor’s position.
Many managers are reluctant to admit they may have a mistake in hiring or promoting the wrong person to a supervisory role. However, having the incorrect supervisor in a role that does not suit him or her, and that does not deliver your organisation the results you expected, is chaos both for your business and your people.
Hurdle #5 – Being Promoted from Coworker to Supervisor
Another hurdle organisations struggle with when promoting in-house staff to supervisory roles, is how the new supervisor will handle going from being a coworker to a supervisor. And the reasons are varied.
In many cases, the coworker promoted to a supervisory role has discussed issues with his or her coworkers about the previous supervisor. Now the shoe is on the other foot.
In other cases, solid friendships are forged in most workplaces, which benefits everyone. However, envy and jealousy can occur when one of the team is then promoted to supervise the others. Coworkers who did not get the supervisor promotion may feel they should have. Other employee’s feel that because they have been there longer or have more experience, that they should have been promoted to supervisor.
The challenge for any organisation is that the person promoted needs training on how to evolve from being ‘one of the team’ to being the leader and supervisor of that team.
Over to You – What are thoughts, experiences or hurdles you’ve had to jump before promoting staff members or hiring new staff for supervisory roles?
No great manager or leader ever fell from heaven; it’s learned, not inherited.
Tom Northup
In Summary
We hope you’ve found this article about how to achieve excellence in supervision beneficial and practical.
Of course, this is just a snapshot of how preparing and training for supervision can benefit your supervisors, your team and your organisation as a whole. It’s also why more and more Australian organisations are investing in Supervisor Training for their staff with Corporate Training Options.
Excellence in supervision is much more than just promoting a staff member or hiring out-of-house and throwing them in to see how they go.
Australian organisations realise that excellence in supervision is as much about understanding each person’s personalities, strengths and weaknesses, while also taking into account their long-term vision and mission.
If you’d like to learn the new roles and responsibilities that accompany a promotion to a supervisory role and much more, to create excellence in supervision in your business, our Excellence In Supervision Corporate Training is perfect.
Describe the new roles and responsibilities that accompany a promotion to supervisor
Explain the principles and processes of performance management
Provide guidelines for communicating effectively with employees, peers, and managers
Explore how practical coaching skills can lead to increased employee satisfaction and productivity
Provide supervisors with strategies for dealing with organisational change
To discover more about the Excellence In Supervision course at Corporate Training Options, please view your course outline here.
Alternatively, please contact us at Corporate Training Options by emailing us at training@cto.com.au for the latest Excellence in Supervision training courses and group training packages.
We focus your training on the outcomes you require for your team
Your training can be provided on dates which suit you
Training can be provided for many trainees for the same rate
You can choose topics from different courses, and your trainer will tailor your sessions around these requirements
Your trainers are available to present your training within two weeks of your booking date.
Why Choose Corporate Training Options, Australia:
Your Trainers are certified experts who are real-world practitioners
The courses are interactive, well organised and fun – making it easier for you to learn
Small classes mean each trainee will receive individual attention and can be confident about the skills gained
Our complimentary trainer consultation before your training ensures your objectives will be met
CTO is a Business Excellence Award winning company
About Corporate Training Options
Corporate Training Options is Australia’s leading professional development training company. Incorporated in 1992, we have facilitated & run over 100,000 training courses across Australia and in numerous international locations.
CTO training provides a cost-effective way of ensuring you and your staff are presenting your best image to the world. CTO Professional Development and Computer Training courses are customised to meet your requirements, and your training is provided on-site, on dates which suit you.
The courses will assist you to develop strong skills in:
Customer Service
Leadership & Management
Strategic Business Planning
Project Management
Marketing & Sales
Business Administration
Finance & Accounting
People & Culture
Computer Training
Personal Development
Each CTO trainer has specific areas of expertise. This enables them to provide invaluableassistance to organisations like yours, seeking to maximise your investment in your teams and your technology.
So if you’re ready to upgrade your skills, or you wish to tackle some new challenges, contact Corporate Training Options today. We’ll meet your specific needs with a tailored training course to suit your requirements.
We look forward to working with you, to build your confidence, improve your efficiency and maximise your potential.
Team Building tips to take your team to the next level!
Team Building Training with CTO
In every business environment, your team members are required to work with a variety of different people and personalities. And while they are all there to perform specific tasks and duties, personality clashes can occur.
If people in your team don’t get along, it can cause friction throughout your entire workplace. It can also make other team members uncomfortable, not to mention affect their productivity and overall performance.
Without team building strategies, this can affect your organisation’s productivity, culture, team morale and future success.
Which is why team building is crucial for your team member’s happiness and performance, and for your business success.
The benefits of team building include:
Improving each team members performance
Raising team morale
Cultivating a more productive and cohesive team
Improving team performance
And creating highly motivated staff members
Team bonding is not only a great way to get your employees to work well together as a unit, but it also aids in creating a more stable work environment and culture.
Here are five ‘must have’ tips for you from the Corporate Training Options Team Building Course, which you can take action on with your teams.
Design a Successful Blueprint for Your Team
Team Building is like building anything; you need the blueprints to get started. Teams in most cases will have varying degrees of skills, different personalities and a range of beliefs.
Though it can be tough trying to get everyone to work together and agree on a way forward, a team-building blueprint can help you achieve this.
It aids you in figuring out team characteristics, strengths and weaknesses, the skills available and what your team goals are.
Build a strong foundation for your team members
To create a strong foundation for your organisation’s team, always remember you are working with living breathing human beings who have needs, wants and desires just like you.
They also have varying belief systems and values.
Some of the most crucial tips to remember with team bonding are:
Taking the time to plan and build a strong foundation for your team members
Involving your team members in the process in an open and honest way
Leading by example using your own organisational, management and people skills
Building a team culture that rewards, motivates, involves and excites your team members, to bring them enjoyment and happiness at work.
Establishing accountability within your team and for each member
Performing these steps is necessary for achieving the best possible outcomes for your team and your organisation. It also guarantees you and your team will have a solid foundation to work on to help you evolve as a team of people with a common cause.
Team Building is more than just People – it’s a Unified Orchestra
Based on our decades of experience in training corporate teams, our philosophy on team building is simple. In the words of Henry Ford …
Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.
Team Building builds stronger bridges to healthier Communication
Building bridges to healthier communication within your team involves a lot of work, tenacity and commitment.
There are many steps to building a successful, cohesive team. Once you do though, you and your team will work much more effectively and happily, irrespective of the work situation.
To get to that level some of the steps team leaders and managers need to take are:
Facilitate and encourage open communication
Develop teamwork involvement through collaboration
Involve your team in setting goals and standards
Utilise the skills of your team and their personalities so your company can solve problems fasterand more easily
Create a culture where everyone has accountability, input and ownership
Examine conflict and conflict resolution styles, to help your team resolve conflicts productively
Performing all of these tasks will give you the outcome of better communication within your team.
Nurture Mutual Trust and Respect at all times
Mutual trust and respect are the most crucial points to remember and reinforce to build a successful team.
Of course, this can also be ‘easier said than done’.
To create a capable team for your organisation, irrespective of its size, you need to follow a process.
It requires fostering an environment of trust and open communication, meaning you must create a safe, relaxed and accessible workplace. This will allow your team to put their faith in you, their fellow team members, their skills and how they see themselves in that team.
Recognising employee performance is a great way to give and earn the respect of your fellow team members, however, it needs to be sincere and deserved.
In Summary
Team building is crucial for your team member’s happiness and performance, and for your organisation’s success. We hope you’ve found these Team Building tips beneficial, as a snapshot of how Team Building training can benefit you, your team and your organisation.
Like these Team Building Strategies?
Please feel free to share them with people you think may benefit from them.
Discover More about Powering up Moral, Collaboration & Motivation with Corporate Training Options Team Building
If you’re interested in learning more about unleashing the power and putting into practice the success of team building in your company, Corporate Training Options’ Team Building training course will be invaluable to you.
From learning how to keep your team members motivated; to improved communication; to developing your teams’ problem-solving skills; this is a must-have team bonding and training course unlike any other.
We focus your training on the outcomes you require for your team
Your training can be provided on the dates which suit you
Training can be provided for a number of trainees for the same rate
You can include topics from other CTO courses, and your trainer will tailor your sessions around these requirements
Our trainers are usually available to present your training within two weeks of your booking date.
Why Choose Corporate Training Options
Your Trainers are certified experts who are real-world practitioners
The courses are interactive, well organised and fun – making it easier for you to learn
Small group training means each trainee will receive individual attention and can be confident about the skills they will gain
Our complimentary trainer consultation before your training ensures your objectives will be met
CTO is a Business Excellence Award winning company
______________________________________________
About Corporate Training Options
Corporate Training Options is Australia’s leading professional development training company, incorporated in 1992 and Australian owned.
CTO has facilitated thousands of business training courses Australia wide, providing a cost-effective way of ensuring you and your staff are presenting your best image to the world.
Your Professional Development and Computer Training courses are customised to meet your requirements, and your training is provided on-site, on dates which suit you.
CTO courses will assist you to develop strong skills in:
Customer Service
Leadership & Management
Strategic Business Planning
Project Management
Marketing & Sales
Business Administration
Finance & Accounting
People & Culture
Computer Training
Personal Development
Each CTO trainer has specific areas of expertise.This enables them to provide invaluable assistance to organisations like yours, seeking to maximise your investment in your teams and your technology.
So if you’re ready to upgrade your skills, or you wish to tackle some new challenges contact Corporate Training Options today. We’ll meet your specific needs with a tailored training course to suit your requirements.
We look forward to working with you, to build your confidence, improve your efficiency and maximise your potential.
Online Training from CTO provides you with a range of courses you can take anytime, anywhere – to improve your life, your relationships and your business, and have fun doing it!
By: Corporate Training Options, Australia
Learn new skills online – anytime, anywhere
Learning new skills improves our lives, across all areas. As we gain knowledge, we have the ability to earn more and enjoy a more satisfying career. We become more interesting people, as we make new connections between what we are learning, and the existing knowledge we already have. We improve our quality of life, our relationships, and our business, as we can adapt quickly to change and feel more confident in ourselves and our ability to take on new tasks.
And learning is fun. There are so many exciting courses available, providing us with a way to learn fascinating new skills and talents. It’s also a social activity, with online discussion forums available with our peers and expert instructors, where we can ask questions, reinforce our learning and get feedback.
Why not give it go today? You can see some of the most popular online Business Training courses here.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” – Nelson Mandela
What are the benefits of learning new skills?
Learning new skills enhances the quality of our life, providing us with knowledge when we need it and reducing stress. It breaks us out of our usual patterns and changes our brain chemisty.
As we learn, our learning speed increases and we gain confidence. We are more able to tackle new tasks and our mental well being improves as we set new goals and targets. and then reach them. This sense of achievement is an important part of feeling we are doing well. Learning new skills also fights boredom and allows us to adapt better to change.
We learn to understand ourselves, our strengths and weaknesses. To learn the art of life. And to master the techniques of adjusting and accommodating to changes in our surroundings and life situations.
Why learning is so important for success
Learning new skills is really important for our future success. It shows we have the drive and commitment to learn and apply new information, ideas and theories, to achieve a variety of tasks and goals.
Knowledge has allowed us to make amazing advances in science and technology. As they say, knowledge is power and one of the important reasons to learn something new is we gain power when we do. It makes us far more capable and it helps us get ahead in the workplace and in everyday life. We can communicate our ideas more clearly, and reason and think for ourselves.
How can online training help us in the workplace?
CTO Online Business Training – Anytime, Anywhere
Learning new skills fortifies and rounds out the skills we need to excel in the workplace, improve our resumes and move to a better paying or more desired position. Training allows us to keep on top of our industry and learn new skills that become necessary as technology progresses.
Learning new skills can also help us decide what we want to do with our life and makes us more confident when approaching a new role and interacting with other people.
Online training gives us the opportunity to learn basic business principles. These days, it’s important that we have an understanding of how the entire organisation operates. If we’re acquainted with the basic functions of all departments, we can be a better business leader, and a significantly more attractive candidate for new roles.
A willingness to learn is a compelling characteristic when putting ourselves forward for new positions. We should always be taking steps to improve and gain new skills, stay on top of industry trends, and step outside our comfort zones.
Discover some of the most popular online Business and Professional Development courses here.
How can we learn new skills quickly?
We can learn new skills more quickly by interacting with the available information. As well as completing an online course, we should also gather information from videos, blogs and podcasts.
Make learning more meaningful by connecting it to our own life and experiences, and seeing how it fits into our personal scheme of things. Consider how can we put what we have learned into practice and use it to our advantage? When we can do this, we will grasp new concepts much more quickly.
Learn by doing, and build new habits to enforce our skills. For instance, if we are learning Excel, build spreadsheets and practice with new formulas and functions, which will provide us with the data we need in our business or workplace. Also, regularly compare our work with that of experts in our field. We will then notice areas where we can improve.
You can see a sample of the most popular online training Computer Training courses here.
Spend time practicing things we find difficult, until they become easy, because in order to excel in a skill, we need to push ourselves out of our comfort zone. Over time, we will achieve a higher level of efficiency in this skill.
Why is learning new things good for our brain?
Research suggests that continued cognitive activity has a positive effect on braincells and helps promote mental sharpness. Learning new skills stimulates neurons in our brains, which forms more neural pathways and allows electrical impulses to travel faster across them. This helps us learn better, and to learn things more quickly over time.
Using our brains more allows us to find a way to work through frustrations and achieve competence. Leaning new business or career skills is important for surviving and thriving in the workplace. Learning new skills is essential for building the career or business you love.
Why knowledge is important in our life
Lifelong learning is important. The voluntary decision to enrol in courses and learn new skills keeps us motivated, with the desire for more knowledge and self-improvement.
We need knowledge to be successful in life. To grow in our careers, gaining as much knowledge as possible is important. Knowledge allows us to shape our personality, improve our behaviour, deal with people and situations more easily.
Which skills are important in 2019 and beyond?
Many of the skills we are learning today will be quite different from the skills we will need in as little as a decade. Technology is changing our world so quickly, that new jobs and business opportunities are arising every day.
Below are some of the skills which are highly desirable in 2019. Who knows how these may change over the next 10 years, but they are certainly a starting point for today.
Personal Skills
Thinking skills, for problem solving and decision making
Creativity
Resilience
A passion for learning
Good communication
Self-management
A positive attitude
Curiosity and imagination
Professional Skills
Good business sense
Agility and Adaptability
Initiative and Entrepreneurship
Collaboration across networks and leading by influence
Public Speaking
Willingness to learn
Teamwork
Critical thinking and problem solving
Effective oral and written communication
Assessing and Analysing information
Technical Skills
Social Media literacy
Coding
Excel – one of the most desired skills in today’s workplace
Web development
Business Writing & copywriting
Project Management
Google Analytics
Digital marketing
Data analysis
Our quest for knowledge doesn’t have to end when we finish school or university. Education can be a part of our adult lives too and we can reap the professional and person benefits of lifelong learning. It’s never too late to start. Making ongoing learning and development a part of our lives is vital for all of us, keeping us motivated and interested in the world we live in.
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The CTO Online Training Courses are ideal for those wanting to upgrade their business and professional skills.
For more information on the range of Online Training Courses available, please visit the CTO website – cto.com.au
Corporate Training Options is a Business Training Company, which provides you with training in essential business skills via online business and professional development courses.
The courses provide a cost-effective way of ensuring you and your team develop strong skills in:
Leadership & Management
Strategic Business Planning
Project Management
Marketing & Sales
Customer Service & Relationship Management
Business Administration
Finance & Accounting
People & Culture
Computer Training
Personal Development
CTO provides Online Training courses to organisations world-wide. Covering Professional Development, Business Skills and Computer Software, your online training is designed to ensure your team development outcomes are achieved.
We look forward to working with you, to build your confidence, improve your efficiency and maximise your potential.
For more information on the range of Online Business Training Courses available, please visit the CTO website – cto.com.au
Great Leaders can be made, with CTO Leadership training
Great leaders can be born, but they can also be made.
To be a great leader is quite a skill. Great leaders inspire and influence us to do our best work, to build amazing teams and to achieve business goals. However, leading others is challenging. Just ask parents or school teachers. Humans are diverse, complicated and difficult, and can throw you a curve ball at any time.
Great leaders understand this, and continually focus on ways to improve the success of the individuals, as well as the whole team, the business unit and the organisation.
Explore your Leadership Potential
Every one of us has the potential to become a great leader. To enable you to lead effectively, you can learn the skills required to persuade, influence and inspire others.
If you have been elevated to a leadership position, you need to understand the difference between being a leader and a manager. Managers direct staff to follow company rules and systems to achieve the company vision. Leaders inspire and influence their teams by showing them how the company vision will make them better people. Great leaders motivate others to do their best work.
Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done, because he wants to do it– Dwight Eisenhower
Be your Personal Best
When you are placed in a leadership role, you need to demonstrate the traits of a great leader. These include:
– positive thinking
– having confidence in your abilities
– excellent communication skills – both verbal and non-verbal
– performance management skills
– decision making ability
– serving as a role model for your team members
– being passionate about the projects you work on
– trying new things
– and always, always learning
Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.– John F. Kennedy
Communicate your Vision
True leaders are visionaries, often noted for innovations within an organisation or industry.
A Vision is a leader’s ideas and plans for the future of the organisation, which shows you how it will be different from today. Being a Visionary is an important part of being a great leader, as it gives your people something to strive for. It gives them a view beyond today, and into the future of the organisation.
I will lead at the intersection of art and technology – Steve Jobs
Lead People through Change
Great leaders need to be key decision makers, who are capable of initiating and managing change within their organisations. As a change agent, you should have the drive and the skills to follow your Vision and disrupt current business processes and routines if required. If you can see new ways to improve performance, increase profits, and contribute to the growth and success of your organisation, then you should be the one who can make that difference.
A Leader’s job is to look into the future and see the organisation, not as it is, but as it should be – Jack Welch
Fast Fact: During Jack Welch’s tenure as CEO of General Electric, its value increased 4,000%.
You as a Team Leader
Leaders play an integral role in employee satisfaction. A strong relationship between leaders and their team members creates the basis for a productive, growing organisation. You need to be genuinely interested in your team members and be an effective listener, so you know their needs, expectations and desires. Make them feel important. Set the bar high for your team, then let them know you believe in their ability to succeed. Focus on inspiring and guiding them towards your common goals, build them up, give them credit when due, and praise and reward them when they succeed.
Remember that we are all human. If you are wrong, or make a mistake, be honest and humble enough to admit it. You also need to respect other people’s ideas and opinions and try to see things from their point of view. You may find that you learn something.
Fast Fact: Did you know that 83% of employees agree that recognition or praise from their leader was more fulfilling than financial rewards.
Create your Action Plan
When you first move into a leadership role, it pays to do a self-assessment, then draft a plan for where you would like to be in 6-12 months from now.
This plan can include:
Identifying the skills you need to strengthen
Setting goals for your development as a leader
Seeking challenging and varied experiences
Planning Leadership training
Asking for feedback from both your team and the stakeholders in your organisation
Finding yourself mentors and coaches
A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. – Douglas MacArthur
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The topics covered here are drawn from the CTO Training Course – Learning to Lead.
If you are ready for Leadership training, visit the CTO website to receive a quote or make a booking. Training can be provided for up to 8 trainees for the same investment cost.
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About Corporate Training Options
Corporate Training Options is an Australian Professional Development Training Company, incorporated in 1992.
Our customised Professional Development courses are available Australia-wide, for business executives and corporate teams, and provide a cost-effective way of ensuring you and your staff are presenting your best image to the world.
CTO Professional Development Training courses are customised to meet your requirements, and your training is provided on-site, on dates which suit you.
For more information on the range of Corporate Training Courses available, please visit the CTO website here
1. Conduct open meetings
