Overview
Knowing how to communicate the organisation’s vision and strategy to the team is a crucial skill for any leader. On this course, participants will develop a greater understanding of the importance of the team having a common sense of purpose that supports the overall vision and strategy of the organisation and the importance of a leader in being able to motivate teams and individuals and gain their commitment to objectives. The course provides the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of a leader’s own communication skills in establishing a common sense of purpose. Practical examples of the role a leader plays in supporting and developing the team and its members are examined as well as how motivational factors may apply to different situations, teams and individuals.
Learning objectives
Following the completion of the course and assignment, the leader will be able to:
- Explain the importance of the team having a common sense of purpose that supports the overall vision and strategy of the organisation
- Explain the role that communication plays in establishing a common sense of purpose
- Assess the effectiveness of own communication skills on the basis of the above
- Describe the main motivational factors in a work context and how these may apply to different situations, teams and individuals
- Explain the importance of a leader being able to motivate teams and individuals and gain their commitment to objectives
- Explain the role that the leader plays in supporting and developing the team and its members and give practical examples of when this will be necessary
Course content
Day 1
Why organisations or projects need a vision, mission and strategy and what they mean for first line leadership
How to develop team objectives that support overall strategy and vision
The importance of a team having a common sense of purpose that links to vision and strategy
The role that effective communication plays in conveying the overall mission of the organisation or project and how the collective work of the team and it’s individual members support this
Effective techniques for communicating vision, goals and objectives: Choosing effective times and places to communicate with the team and individuals. Selecting appropriate communication methods. Communicating clearly and accurately.
Active listening skills
Receiving and responding appropriately to feedback
A series of mini-activities are used to demonstrate and allow practice in approaching and solving problems. These begin with simple practical problems, but progress in complexity and realism as the day goes on.
Day 2
The critical importance of teams and individuals being motivated and committed to their objectives
Alternative theories of motivation: Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory & Clelland’s 3-Needs Theory
Motivational factors that are available to the leader
An appreciation of how these factors can apply to different situations, teams and individuals
How to select and use appropriate motivational factors
Giving feedback on performance
Basic support needs that individuals may have and how to meet these
The importance of continuous development for the team and individual members
The second half of the day has an extended experiential exercise so that new concepts can be applied in a simulated leadership environment. Peer and instructor coaching is used to refine skills and understanding.
