Leadership Training

What is leadership training?

Effective leadership training focuses on equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to be an effective leader (Day, 2000). Specifically, leadership training focuses on “the development of the collective capacity of organizational members to engage effectively in leadership roles and processes” (Day, 2000, p. 582).

The term managerial training is used interchangeably with leadership training yet the goals of management training are the same in that managerial training aims to provide individuals with management skills and knowledge that increases their ability to lead (Lacerenza et al., 2017).

What are the benefits of leadership training?

There are several reasons for you to consider leadership training. Although organizations invest heavily in leadership training because it increases organizational effectiveness (Lacerenza et al., 2017), there are also individual benefits.

• First, leadership builds your self-confidence and increases your belief that you can be an effective leader.
• Second, leadership training can equip you with important skills to help you to persuade and influence others. This can be an important skill to acquire at work and with your career development.
• Third, leadership training helps you reflect on your self-identity and enables you to assess your strengths and limitations in becoming an effective leader and professional.
• Finally, leadership training will help you move to the next level in your career whether through a promotion or through a job that requires leadership skills.

How does leadership training work?

Effective leadership training works when both information and the opportunity to practice skills are an integral part of the training program (Lacerenza et al., 2017). A good instructor will provide you with opportunities to practice your skills in the real world so that transfer occurs. These real-world opportunities will allow you to reflect on your leadership experience and incorporate new skills into your role. However, information-based methods such as lectures can also be effective because you will acquire knowledge that can be enable you to be an effective leader and professional. A meta-analytic review of leadership training found that instruction that incorporated both lecture/discussion and role-play/practice was more effective than instruction incorporating lecture alone (Burke & Day, 1986).

What types of leadership training exist?

There are a wide variety of training programs offering leadership training. Effective programs draw on effective learning principles and include core components of leadership. An effective model for leadership competencies (Hogan & Warrenfeltz, 2003) draws on the following skills:

• intrapersonal (e.g., coping with stress, goal-setting, time management);
• interpersonal skills (e.g., effective communication);
• leadership (e.g., team empowerment, influence skills) and
• business (strategic thinking and decision-making).

In addition, research shows that the most effective training is individualized so is based on the current needs of the learner (Lacerenza et al., 2017). Consequently, an effective instructor will contact you before training begins to determine your needs as this will benefit your learning and transfer of learning (Lacerenza et al., 2017).

When should I consider leadership training?

Leadership training typically targets those who are currently in management positions ranging from entry level positions to senior personnel (Lacerenza et al., 2017). However, most MBA programs incorporate leadership training into their programs so leadership training is suitable not just for executives, CEO and managers, but for every professional from the public and private sector.

What makes good leadership training?

It is important that leadership training draws on theories and principles of effective leadership. Effective leadership training recognizes that there are core competencies for leaders to acquire based on empirical research. One example of effective leadership training is acquisition of transformational leadership (TL) skills. Empirical research has shown TL training to be effective and the training focuses on the four dimensions including individualized consideration, inspirational motivation, idealized influence and intellectual stimulation (Kelloway & Barling, 2000).

Kelloway and colleagues (Kelloway, Barling & Helleur, 200) found that leaders can acquire transformational leadership skills through participation in a workshop and through counseling (feedback of ratings). Moreover, both types of training were equally effective. The main reason for this is that the training focused on imparting knowledge that was grounded in science (Kelloway & Barling, 2000). So good leadership training utilizes principles well established in scientific research.

Whom is leadership training for?

Leadership training is suitable for those who are currently in a managerial position or for those who need to influence others in their role as a professional, so the range is fairly broad. However, it is important that those who take a leadership training course are motivated to lead and have an impact. Motivation to lead is a predictor of leadership training success. In a study of 132 managers, individuals who were motivated to lead acquired more leadership competencies and this resulted in more effective leadership behavior one year after training (Stiehl, Felfe, Elprana & Gatzka, 2015). This research shows that motivation to lead is important for leadership training effectiveness.

How long does leadership training take?

Effective leadership training can last from as little as one hour to one week. In the study conducted by Kelloway and colleagues (Kelloway et al., 2000), transformational leadership training lasted for one day and included all the components of transformational leadership. The findings showed that this one-day session was successful both immediately and long-term. In the same study, managers who received coaching had a one-hour session with a coach to review their transformational leadership ratings and this was also successful. Overall even short training programs can be beneficial if they focus on grounded principles of leadership theory.

Why should I consider leadership training?

You should consider leadership training if you wish to persuade and influence others. Leadership training can help you be an effective manager and supervisor and also help you be more effective in your role as a leader. However, you don't have to be a leader or manager in order to benefit from leadership training. We know that leadership is a core mangement skill relevant for all professionals and not just CEO and top management executives. Whenever you want to persuade and influence others you need leadership skills.

How much does leadership training cost?

Most leadership training programs are pricey, costing over $1,000 per person. The respected Center for Creative Leadership charges $1500 to $2000 per day for leadership training and lasts for five days. The American Management Association also offers training courses and these courses cost roughly $1,000 per day and last two to three days.

The leadership masterclasses offered by CQ Net - Management skills for everyone! are much more cost effective compared to traditional leadership training while maintaining the highest quality standard possible. This is achieved through a focus on online training and by applying the principles of evidence-based management.

Where specifically does leadership training help me in my job?

Leadership training can help you in your role as a manager. Effective leadership training provides the knowledge and skills to help you build a team, influence and motivate subordinates, empower others to do well and go beyond expectations, and deal well with conflict. Leadership training equips you with both interpersonal and intrapersonal skills to help you reach your capabilities as a leader.