Tag: Development Of Manager

The Psychology Of Managers: 6 Areas You Need To Know

The Psychology Of Managers: 6 Areas You Need To Know

What goes on in the mind of a manager? That’s an interesting question with many answers to follow. In this article, I have picked six key elements of a manager’s psyche that make or break their success. While these are essential topics from psychology, you do not need a degree to decode the psychology of managers. Instead, you need curiosity and willingness to learn from those who have been here before you. The psychology of leadership looks at how people in leadership positions affect and inspire their teams. Effective leadership is more than just giving out tasks; it needs a good grasp of how people think and feel. Whether you are a new manager or an experienced leader, understanding the mental processes behind the actions of people management professionals will indeed support your professional prospects and enable greater success.
Table of Contents

What’s the manager mindset?

A “manager mindset” refers to how managers think, approach problems, and make decisions. A manager’s mindset also heavily guides their team; you will often see it reflected in the habits they espouse and the results they aim for. If you follow a sport like football, you know exactly what I am talking about. Pep Guardiola, known for his possession-based, high-pressing style, brings it to the players in every game. However, José Mourinho has a pragmatic, results-oriented approach and a strong defensive organization. At times, the psychology of managers becomes critical to determine the course of action. However, things are a little different for people managers in the workplace. Their styles are not too aggressive and on the face. A focus on organizational goals, team performance, and operational efficiency characterizes this mindset. Let’s decode this further below:

#1 Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is very important for good management. It means being aware of and managing one’s own feelings and understanding the feelings of others. In the words of Daniel Goleman , in Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
“Emotional self-control– delaying gratification and stifling impulsiveness- underlies accomplishment of every sort”
Leaders who are emotionally aware create a friendly and supportive work atmosphere. They can address issues more diplomatically and find constructive solutions. Powered by EQ, you can see that when employees feel valued and understood, they tend to be more engaged and productive. As a leader, it allows you to encourage open communication so team members can share their ideas, concerns, and feedback without worrying about being judged. But there’s more to it. A higher emotional intelligence level gives you the mental fortitude to overcome challenges and handle unexpected situations well. All in all, emotional intelligence is a critical part of psychology of managers to handle the people side of things. It means communicating effectively, overcoming conflicts within and outside the team, and even developing self-awareness and self-control to support well-thought-out decisions.

#2 Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is an important idea in psychology of managers that helps us understand what drives human behavior. This model shows five levels of human needs, ranging from basic needs like food and safety to the top level, which is self-actualization. Knowing these needs helps managers see what motivates their team members and what they hope to achieve. In the real world, employees have needs that go beyond incentives. These include work-life balance and ownership over tasks. A McKinsey survey highlighted that employees want meaningful work and trustworthy leadership that offers mentally fulfilling experiences. So, it’s high time managers move beyond task allocation and rethink workplaces as complex ecosystems thriving around them. When managers recognize this hierarchy, they can build a better work environment. Meeting basic needs, like fair pay and job security, allows employees to work towards higher needs. These include feeling accepted, being recognized, and growing personally. This understanding is key to effective leadership roles and supports positive personality traits among employees.

#3 Cognitive Biases

Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts our brains use to handle information quickly. These shortcuts can help us in everyday life, but they may affect how managers make important decisions. It can lead to errors in judgment and less objectivity at work. These cognitive biases in workplaces often impact without us realizing it. For instance, a common bias is the “halo effect.” It occurs when a leader has a good impression of someone in one area, and that positive feeling makes them think the person is great in all areas. For example, if an employee is charming, they may be seen as skilled at everything, even without clear proof. It’s vital for leaders to understand these common biases as part of the psychology of managers. When you recognize how these biases influence your thoughts and choices, you can work to reduce their effects. This way, you make better decisions and reach fairer results. And it’s not just about fairness; your team deserves an impartial approach to performance reviews, appraisals, and opportunities. Biases and evident instances of favoritism and proximity bias create dissatisfaction among employees.
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#4 Growth Mindset

Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck introduced the idea of a growth mindset, and it has become one of the most popular concepts in psychology of managers. It means that people believe they can improve their skills and intelligence through hard work and learning. Those with a growth mindset see challenges as chances to grow and setbacks as something they can overcome. In leadership positions, having a growth mindset is important for building a workplace that keeps getting better. Strong leaders support their team members by encouraging them to take on new challenges and learn from their mistakes. They create a space where new ideas can grow and everyone feels inspired to reach their full potential. The differences between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset are clear. A person with a fixed mindset thinks their skills are unchanging. They avoid challenges and easily give up when things get tough. They also see failures as proof that they cannot improve. On the other hand, a growth mindset is incredibly liberating for your team because it frees them from the fear of making mistakes and taking chances. Instead, it enables them to approach challenges and novelty with an open mind. . With a growth mindset, you should focus on sharing regular feedback and focus on effort instead of just results. This leadership style greatly affects teams. When leaders show a growth mindset, it encourages their team members to do the same. This leads to a culture of learning, using resilience, and finding new ways to innovate.

#5 Psychological Safety

Psychological safety is important for teams that want to perform well. It means your team members can take risks like sharing ideas, admitting mistakes, or speaking up without fear of negative reactions. When this safety exists, your people are more likely to be themselves. It leads to better teamwork, creativity, and new ideas. Psychological safety in teams is not just a vanity term in psychology of managers to discuss; it’s critical if you want to prevent team attrition. BCG’s research suggested that 12% of employees who reported the lowest levels of psychological safety would quit within the next twelve months. Psychological safety has a big impact on how well a team performs. When people feel safe sharing their thoughts and ideas without worrying about backlash, they often share helpful insights. This openness helps create new ideas, improves decision-making, and boosts innovation. Also, feeling safe builds a sense of belonging. Team members want to support each other and work together towards common goals. This teamwork leads to more productivity, better job satisfaction, and fewer people leaving the team. Your role as a manager is very important for building trust and respect in the team. You should seek out different viewpoints and encourage open conversations to ensure psychological safety for all participants. By valuing everyone’s input, you help create a space where psychological safety can really grow, and the teams can thrive.

#6 Attribution Theory

I am sure you regularly wonder “why did they do that?” The way you answer that question in your head comes under the purview of attribution theory in the psychology of managers. Attribution theory is a key idea in social psychology. It looks at how people understand why things happen and why others act in certain ways. This theory is important in leadership because it affects how followers see their leaders and how they respond to them. Effective leaders know about attribution theory and its effects on their teams. Being aware of how people make sense of situations helps shape how your team views you, helping create a more helpful and successful work atmosphere.
In management, attribution theory shows us how employees view their leaders’ decisions and actions. For instance, when a CEO announces layoffs, employees want to know why. Their feelings about the decision depend on how the CEO shares the information. They might blame the CEO for poor management or a lack of planning. Alternatively, employees might think the layoffs happened due to factors outside the CEO’s control. It could be things like changes in the economy or more competition in the industry. How employees reason about these events can affect their trust in leadership and their motivation to work hard. One important takeaway from attribution theory for managers is that you must clearly explain your decisions. Sharing your reasoning helps employees understand the reasons behind choices that affect them, building trust and empathy within the team. Additionally, recognizing internal and external factors in successes and failures can help create a fair workplace.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s important to understand how managers think for effective leadership and good team performance. Emotional intelligence, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, cognitive biases, growth mindsets, and psychological safety are all key to understanding the psychology of managers. By focusing on these areas, you can boost employee motivation, improve decision-making, and create better team dynamics. Developing a growth mindset, getting over biases, and building a safe work environment to trust and work together are essential for your professional success. Including these psychological ideas in their work can improve your organization’s culture and lead to success.

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

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Top 7 Leadership Development Training Courses

Top 7 Leadership Development Training Courses

It’s 2024, and being a good leader is more important than ever. Good leaders do more than just guide their teams to meet the company’s goals; they also motivate people to give their best. But not everyone starts out as a great leader. The good news is there are plenty of leadership development training courses designed to help you grow into an effective leader. This blog will take you through seven top-notch courses that aim to boost your leadership skills. These courses tackle various subjects like understanding emotions better, communicating strategically, leading high-performing groups, and thinking outside the box for solutions. They’re perfect for anyone hoping to improve their game in leadership roles—from managers all the way up to CXOs. So, let’s hop right in!
Table of Contents

Top 7 Leadership Development Training Courses You Should Try!

Growing as a leader is an ongoing journey about boosting your ability to lead and building your skills. It means getting to know and polishing your own way of leading and picking up the key skills needed to guide others well. While knowing your stuff technically can help you climb the ladder at work, having soft skills like understanding people’s feelings, working well with others, being adaptable, and solving problems is just as important for truly effective leadership. Yet, busy schedules take over and throw out learning and growth. Online courses for leadership development are a great way to bridge this gap. Let’s explore some leadership development training courses that can boost your profile and break the rut.

Leadership Development Training Course #1

Leading with Emotional Intelligence

by American Management Association

Duration: 3 days

Price: $2,995.00 for Non AMA Members

Being a good leader is about understanding and handling feelings well, both yours and those of the people you work with. The emotional intelligence course offered by American Management Association teaches important emotional smarts that every top-notch leader needs. In this course, you will explore leadership training for emotional intelligence and why it’s key to leading effectively. You will learn how being aware of your emotions, controlling them, understanding others’ feelings, and managing relationships play a big part in emotional intelligence. This can help you connect better with your team members, motivate people around you more effectively, and make choices that lead to success for everyone involved. Why should you take this course?
  • Emotional intelligence prepares you to handle difficult people management situations better, such as conflicts, broken professional relationships, or sensitive conversations.
  • It will also help you improve self-awareness as a people leader and understand your own emotions better.

Leadership Development Training Course #2

The Leadership Development Program (LDP)®

by Centre for Creative Leadership

Duration: 5 Days

Price: $7,950

The Leadership Development Program by the Center for Creative Leadership brings home innovative approaches to developing leaders. One of the program’s primary objectives is to reduce the gap between frontline staff and senior management, which is a frequent impediment to organizational effectiveness. By reducing such communication and strategic gaps, you can enhance performance for the whole set-up. That’s not all; this leadership development training course also goes into the following:
  • Leveraging identities and building resilience in the team as a leader
  • Using networks to support personal and professional development for yourself and your peers at work
  • Developing the skills you need to understand the role of DEI and build relevant skills effectively

Leadership Development Training Course #3

Leadership Training for Results: Unleash Talent in Others

by Dale Carnegie

Duration: 3 Days or 8 Weeks

Price: $ 2,195 onwards

To lead teams that perform well, you need to know some special tricks and methods. This course by Dale Carnegie Institute empowers you to enable performance in others. It teaches people leaders what they need to know so their teams can do their best work. In this course, you will first understand how to be confident in your leadership abilities. Next up, the course adopts an other-focused approach, so learn all about enabling and empowering others as a team manager or leader. You will better understand the typical problems that trouble teams, how to diagnose them, how to manage common types of teams, and the ins and outs of building a strong team on the foundation of effective communication. What You Will Learn About Team Building and Management?
  • You will learn about being and building accountability in your team. The key questions being answered are: What is accountability, and how can you develop it in yourself and others?
  • You will understand the common reasons why teams get in trouble. After learning about the causes and contexts, you will move on to resolving these challenges with your team through strategic interventions with an external focus.

Leadership Development Training Course #4

Leadership Excellence Course & Executive Coaching

by Academy Leadership

Duration: 3 Days

Price: $3,650

This leadership development training course combines many interesting elements in a concentrated yet comprehensive three-day program focusing on your growth and development. It starts with assessments and then provides support through convenient one-on-one coaching. That’s not all, though; the program enables support through peer-to-peer learning and post-program support in the form of leadership coaching for 90 days. Compared to the previous course, we saw focusing externally; this makes you focus on yourself. The journey is one of “self-discovery,” as described on the program’s website. This course teaches you the many faces of leadership, how to switch up your style based on what’s happening around you, and how to make plans for personal growth. You will discover what makes you strong as a leader and where you can improve.

Leadership Development Training Course #5

Leading Successful Change

by INSEAD

Duration: 4 Days

Price: S$ 13,600

If you were to ask one thing that marks the present era of business, the answer is likely to be simple: change. The rapid global movement needs leaders who are both ready and proactive in handling such situations. You have a big job: explaining why change is necessary, standing by their team members during the shift, and getting everyone excited about trying new ways of doing things. How will this course help you in the journey of managing change?
  • First, the course begins by building the foundations and assessing your change management skills. It helps you understand change management and how it works, including the primary processes and phases within the change management cycle.
  • Next, this course prepares you to handle the most troublesome aspect of any change, which is resistance. You will also develop a framework to propel and sustain changes in organizations.

Leadership Development Training Course #6

Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability

by Harvard Business School Online

Duration: 6 weeks, self-paced

Price: $1,850

Ethics are super important when it comes to being a good leader. Resultantly, it’s one of the most important leadership development training topics. When leaders make choices that are right and fair, they not only get the trust and respect of their team members but also help create a really positive place to work. Being ethical in leadership means sticking to what’s morally right, keeping honest, and making decisions based on what’s ethically sound. Leaders who stick by their ethics set a great example for everyone on their team, encouraging an atmosphere where everyone trusts and treats each other fairly. In this course you will learn how to:
  • Develop a framework for understanding the responsibilities leaders have
  • Determine and deliver on your economic, legal, and ethical responsibilities
  • Formulate a plan to address conflicts and communicate the “why” behind your decisions
  • Establish a toolkit for making tough leadership decisions now and in the future

Leadership Development Training Course #7

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving For Organizational Leaders

by CEED Academy

Duration: 5 Days

Price: Available upon enquiry

During the course, you will dive into the concept of creative thinking in problem solving and work around ways to enable it with your team. You will learn ways to make your teams more open to new ideas, encourage everyone to think creatively and tackle any hurdles that might stop innovation. Key Takeaways from This Course on Fostering Innovation In this course, you will gather:
  • An understanding of how creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making work in tandem in real-life scenarios
  • Multiple proven decision-making and problem-solving techniques that you can apply to your challenges
  • The ability to understand, expect and minimize risk and uncertainty effectively as a team leader to ensure that your team moves on a safe footing
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Wrapping Up

To weave leadership development programs into the fabric of an organization, you need a well-thought-out plan and a holistic approach. Here’s a simple framework to use leadership development training courses with your team:
  • Start by figuring out what your team needs in terms of leadership skills and what would be the essential leadership development training topics in your context. Look closely at where you are strong and where you need help. You can seek feedback, take skill assessments from Risely, or conduct a personal SWOT analysis.
  • Then, put together tailored leadership development training courses that match your organization’s goals and tackle specific areas that need improvement.
  • Coaching and mentoring give leaders extra support to grow their abilities while guiding them along their development journey. So be open to accepting those offers from potential coaches at work. If not, you can look for coaches outside.
  • Promoting an environment that values learning encourages everyone in charge to keep getting better through various activities designed for growth. Thus, start discussing your ideas and get going.
  • Lastly, remember to check regularly to see if these efforts are making a difference for you and the whole group. Adjust as needed based on what you find.
When leaders start acting differently in good ways—like talking better with their teams or solving problems more effectively—it shows the training did its job. By keeping track of improvements in how a team gets along and does its work overall, you can be sure that you are getting real value from investing in leadership development training courses.

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

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Growth Mindset Training For Leaders: When Should You Take It

Growth Mindset Training For Leaders: When Should You Take It

One key factor contributing to leaders’ success is their mindset. A growth mindset, as opposed to a fixed mindset, is crucial for leaders to excel in their roles and drive their teams towards success. Growth mindset training plays a pivotal role in developing the right mindset for leaders. It helps you cultivate a growth mindset culture within teams, promote personal growth, and enhance your leadership skills.  Stanford University’s research on growth mindset, led by Carol Dweck, has been instrumental in shaping the field of growth mindset training. Dweck’s research emphasizes the importance of believing in the potential for growth and the power of effort and resilience in achieving success. This research forms the foundation for effective growth mindset training programs for leaders. With the right mindset, you can create a positive work environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and personal development. In this blog, we will set you up on a journey toward a growth mindset.
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Let’s Define Growth Mindset in Leadership

In the context of leadership, a growth mindset refers to having the right mindset that enables leaders to lead and inspire their team members effectively. Leaders with a growth mindset believe that their team members have the potential to grow and develop, and they actively support and encourage their personal and professional growth. Having a growth mindset as a leader also means approaching problems and challenges with a solution-oriented mindset. Instead of viewing obstacles as roadblocks, a growth mindset enables you to see them as opportunities for problem-solving and growth. As a result, you are open to new ideas, feedback, and continuous improvement.

When Is the Right Time for Growth Mindset Training?

Knowing when to embark on a growth mindset training journey as a leader is crucial. Growth mindset training can benefit you at various stages of your career and at different points in your personal and professional development. One key factor to consider is the need to enhance critical thinking skills. Growth mindset training equips you with the mindset and tools to approach complex problems and make informed decisions. It stimulates innovative thinking and encourages leaders to step outside their comfort zones, leading to personal and professional growth.

Signs that you need growth mindset training for leaders

  • Consistently avoiding challenges and taking the easy way out
  • Feeling threatened by the success or abilities of others
  • Having a fixed mindset about your own abilities
  • Being resistant to feedback and viewing it as a personal attack
  • Lacking perseverance and giving up easily in the face of setbacks
  • Avoiding learning opportunities and not seeking out new knowledge
  • Feeling overwhelmed by change and struggling to adapt
There are several critical moments in your journey where growth mindset training interventions can significantly impact you. These moments include:
  • Change management: During periods of organizational change, growth mindset training can help you navigate uncertainty, adapt to new challenges, and effectively lead your teams through the transition.
  • Building a team: Growth mindset training can provide you with the mindset and skills necessary to facilitate the growth and development of your team members when they engage in coaching sessions.
  • Poor decision-making: When you face the consequences of poor decision-making, growth mindset training can help you reframe your mindset, learn from your mistakes, and develop better decision-making skills.
Learning experiences and professional development opportunities also serve as opportune moments for growth mindset training. When you are open to learning and actively seeking ways to improve your skills, growth mindset training can provide you with the mindset and strategies to maximize the value of these experiences and accelerate their development.
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How to shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset?

Shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset requires embracing adaptability, personal growth, and stepping out of their comfort zones. Very often, we cannot recognize the fixed mindset patterns that limit us. Hence, this step begins with a focus on self-awareness for leaders. This shift involves:
  • Recognizing and challenging fixed beliefs: You need to identify your fixed beliefs about your abilities and challenge them. Acknowledging that abilities can be developed allows you to open yourself up to new possibilities and growth.
  • Embracing a growth-oriented action plan: Leaders should actively seek opportunities for growth and view challenges as chances to learn and improve. They should cultivate a mindset that values effort, resilience, and continuous learning.
  • Stepping out of the comfort zone: You must be willing to take risks, try new approaches, and tackle unfamiliar challenges. This is essential for personal growth and development.

Planning Your Growth Mindset Development Journey

Planning a growth mindset development journey as a leader involves setting goals, creating an action plan, and committing to lifelong learning. Here are some steps to consider:
  • Set specific goals: Identify the areas where you want to develop a growth mindset and set specific goals to guide your journey.
  • Create an action plan: Break down your goals into actionable steps and create a plan to implement them. This might involve seeking learning opportunities, coaching or mentoring, and practicing growth mindset techniques.
  • Commit to lifelong learning: Embrace the mindset of a lifelong learner and actively seek out opportunities for personal and professional growth. Cultivate a curiosity for learning and continuously challenge yourself to expand your knowledge and skills.
  • Embrace the growth mindset journey: Understand that developing a growth mindset is a continuous process. Embrace the journey, be patient with yourself, and celebrate small wins.

Common Challenges Faced by Leaders Without a Growth Mindset

Leaders who lack a growth mindset face several challenges that hinder their personal and professional growth. These challenges include:
  • Lack of resilience: Without a growth mindset, you may struggle to bounce back from setbacks and failures. You are more likely to give up when faced with challenges instead of persevering and finding new solutions.
  • Resistance to new ideas: Leaders without a growth mindset may be resistant to new ideas and innovations. You are more inclined to stick to familiar strategies and methods, limiting your ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
  • Reluctance to put in hard work: A fixed mindset leads to a belief that abilities are fixed and cannot be significantly improved. This results in leaders being less willing to put in the effort and hard work required for personal and professional growth.
Through growth mindset training, you learn to overcome challenges with resilience and perseverance. You develop the ability to analyze situations objectively, identify areas for improvement, and create action plans for success. This mindset shift allows you to navigate obstacles and setbacks with confidence, inspiring your teams to do the same.

Growth Mindset Training for Leaders with Risely

A growth mindset among leaders can often make or break the deal for teams. But not every leader has the same set of typical challenges to beat! And we get it; that’s why we created hyper-personalized learning journeys that enable skill development in your context. Here is how it works with you and for you:
  • Step 1: Define your challenges from over 30 options on Risely.
  • Step 2: Assess your current position on relevant skills as Risely recommends.
  • Step 3: Generate a roadmap of skill development that involves something new every day. We are not going to just talk about a growth mindset—we will build it one step at a time with case studies, sample statements, and more engaging ways.
What’s more? Growth mindset training can be tricky. We know you might feel a little down at time. That’s when you can talk to Merlin, Risely’s AI leadership coach, to vent your heart out, free from the fear of judgment or appearances. Let’s get you started: Sign up for a free trial today.

Learn more about a growth mindset

Conclusion

In conclusion, embracing a growth mindset is crucial for leaders to navigate challenges effectively and foster a culture of continuous improvement within their teams. By recognizing the value of adaptability, resilience, and learning from setbacks, leaders can inspire their teams to strive for excellence. It’s essential to identify critical moments for growth mindset training interventions and proactively shift from a fixed mindset to a growth-oriented approach. Developing a growth mindset takes time and effort, but the benefits extend far beyond personal development to positively impact team dynamics and organizational success. Stay committed to your growth mindset journey and lead with a forward-thinking perspective.

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

Building a growth mindset was never easier!

Grab your free copy of the growth mindset toolkit today and start playing out with expert curated resources.

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Shivani Pande Uncovers the Making of a Manager 

Shivani Pande Uncovers the Making of a Manager 

“Be a good person, but don’t always be a nice person.”  That mantra guides Shivani Pande in her quest to create great people experiences for the Rocketium team. With over seven years of experience across industries and HR verticals, she has been pivotal in building things from the ground up and enabling success for managers across the organization. In a conversation with Shivani Pande today, let’s discover what good managers are made of. 

Building successful people managers

People management is an essential part of any organization’s success. For many of us, it just comes naturally. On the other hand, it’s an entirely new world that opens up with a promotion letter. You could be a great individual contributor in a finance team that’s now managing a team as the day turns! The feelings of excitement take charge, while those of anxiety lurk behind. Shivani makes this move simpler for her team with her efforts as a People Success Manager. To sum things up, there are three key areas where a manager needs some nudges to get moving: 
  • Effective delegation 
  • Building the right culture in their team 
  • Conducting solid one-on-one meetings
Before getting into the details of how each part of this equation works, let’s step back and visit a manager at the cusp of transition. 

Making the move smooth

People management is a marathon, not a sprint. Yet, often, the preparation matches the latter instead of the former. Training managers to be good at their roles is not as simple as putting them through a training routine. Instead, it’s about empowering them to stand independently for years. Often, managers move into their roles with little support and training from their organizations and superiors. The result? Confused managers and dissatisfied teams. Shivani creates a comprehensive mix of conversations and continuous learning to get her managers in shape. 
When we talk about people who have worked for 10 years… Certain things become part of their nature by working with many people and many different teams. When they get into their new manager roles, they start with implementing what they’ve learned from their own managers in the past. Shivani Pande
Was this true for you, too? First-time managers seek role models from the leaders who have been there for them. Sometimes, this puts you on the right path; sometimes, it may not! This happens because the context and personalities that drive performance in any team differ. So, while your extroverted senior manager might bank on water cooler conversations for conflict resolution, the same approach seems a little too frank to you. 
This is similar to how things went with me. For instance, my manager found value in running monthly one-on-ones in an informal setting. So I followed the same with others, took them out for a tea break to talk about work and other matters, asked for feedback, and corrected mismatched expectations. Shivani Pande
Talking it out with new managers helps Shivani identify their thoughts on people management. The idea is not about critiquing and immediately putting them on the right path. Rather, it’s more about finding out what they are doing and what the organization can add to make them more effective. Enable managers, not enforce management practices.
Of course there’s a bit of fear as to how the manager will build career paths for the people they are managing. I have actually collated a few resources, including internal workshops, and documented some good reads to start with as the most approachable low-hanging fruits. I shared those while getting the new managers started. When they were done with all these, the second thing was sitting with them and understanding how they function as a manager. The first thing I asked was “How do you set the right expectations and goals for them?” A lot of what they shared with me was in the right direction. Shivani Pande
For Shivani, the form of intervention does not always take the same shape. In one instance, she remembers offering relevant courses and documentation to a team member who had just been promoted to a managerial role. In others, it could be a one-on-one conversation with their founder or help with better expectation-setting skills across the team. 

Stepping back

Stepping back is an unexpected action for a manager but quite a helpful one. At the onset, managerial roles come with enhanced responsibilities. You are no longer just getting things done; you are making others do them, too. Shivani offers a helpful reminder here – a managerial role is your chance to exponentially increase your performance by enabling others. What it’s not? An opportunity to prove that you are a superhero. 
When you have been in an IC role for the longest time it is challenging to accept that I can trust this other person to get things done. So there’s this natural urge of taking everything up. This is a challenge  I had to overcome myself  and found others facing it too. I had trouble stepping back because I would feel I have always done it, I know it, and I would just get it done. But if I start working that way I will be paralyzing my team members because they would never get to test the water themselves. Shivani Pande
Trust is an important factor in this equation. After all, while your team member may take 2 hours to finish a task that you can do in 30 minutes, the process is about them learning and doing it independently. The key here is to remember your role as an enabler of their success. Shivani remarks on this tendency of managers to just wrap things up themselves because it seems easier. The other way is just not worth the hassle. 
The reason you become a manager is that a) you are mentoring others but also b) you do a lot more things and level up in your work. Shivani Pande
If this seems like you, too, here’s one thing to do: let go. Letting go of control and stepping back after carefully evaluating the impact will 
  1. Teach your team members something new
  2. Free you from extra stress 

Becoming more than a manager 

A tough manager is a boring manager. A boring manager is a distant manager. Shivani recommends building a culture of friendship in your teams. The key idea is to make a level of safety and comfort that allows your relationship to go beyond professional. We are, of course, not speaking of meddling in personal affairs. Instead, it’s about knowing the person, not just the employee. Know who you are working with and what matters to them so that you can support them in a way that suits them. 
It makes them feel that someone is standing by me, and that’s all they need. I have been in situations where they just wanted to rant it out, and that’s alright. I am not going to judge them. That sort of reassurance and validation helps people a lot. Shivani Pande
Second, such a culture of openness allows you to freely share feedback. Sharing feedback, or even asking for it, can be contentious when either of the parties is not comfortable. However, providing that room to accept mistakes and be vulnerable is the key to success. In one instance, Shivani speaks of a team she helped overcome mismatched expectations. The organization was undergoing significant movements. A lot was happening at every front, and the employees obviously felt overwhelmed. After learning this with the help of a survey, Shivani set into action with the team manager. 
Sometimes, we are able to identify who is feeling what. The best thing we have done is share the team member’s feelings with their manager. Of course, this includes the context and how actions should be taken on this, at times in subtle ways. Without the latter two, the team member’s trust would be breached. Shivani Pande
First, she shared the insights with the team manager and explained what was happening and why. Context matters, so the idea is to highlight challenges while keeping the members safe from any bias that could unintentionally arise. After helping the manager spot the challenge, the next step is creating a way out.  Second, she helped the managers fine-tune their skills. For example, instead of asking, “Are you not satisfied with your salary?” she asked them to reframe the question into, “If we are planning for a level up in your role, what do you think we can do differently? Have you thought about how you want to see your pay grow with the role? How do you think we can incentivize you better?” Keeping the idea the same but with a better presentation. This helped them clarify the specific issues and subtly create suitable solutions.  In the end, Shivani concludes that while managers approach a situation with the right intent, they might need support in getting the actions right. Data agrees with this sentiment, as a Gartner survey discovered that 40% of managers with two years or less experience struggle to support their team. People management is a delicate balance; a tilt too heavy either way can put your team at risk.

Talking, and more talking 

Words matter greatly in Shivani Pande’s world, which prioritizes one-on-one meetings and personal touchpoints in effective professional interpersonal relationships. For an organization that believes in over communicating, this just makes sense.
What most have as a notion is that 1-1 is a performance discussion. We have it in our guidelines that during our monthly 1-1s we will talk about work also, but it’s not a performance review. Focusing solely on it shuts doors for understanding the real perspective of the team members’ feelings. We keep it natural by positioning it differently, making it a blend of professional and personal conversations that can help the manager in unblocking their team. Shivani Pande
The ideal one-on-one meeting is not a performance review; instead, it’s a catch-up with a team member that focuses on them. Of course, every person interacts differently with their manager, so while some may be comfortable opening up about their lives, others might prefer privacy. While the specifics depend on the context, the key idea is to create a safe space and build fulfilling experiences for the people on your team.  First, reassurance and validation matter to your team members, so be free with it! Shivani shares multiple ways she builds this into the habits of her team 
  • Sharing every win and loss of the team openly and frankly in town halls 
  • Sending personalized messages to each team member explaining changes 
  • Being present to answer any questions, in private as well as in team meetings
  • Making the most of coffee chats by adding bits of appreciation, recognition, and reminders as needed 
In sum, keep sharing, and your team shall reciprocate. However, there’s one area to be mindful of. Remember that as managers, you are there to show your presence and not to make your case. 
I had this experience where I was asked to share what I was feeling. But when I shared my honest thoughts, there was a lot of defense from their end. Now that I look back, I know that I just needed to be heard. There wasn’t a solution, cross-questioning, or judgment needed. Those could have been done, but probably not right then. Shivani Pande

Summing Up Shivani Pande’s Story

As her experience shows, Shivani ensures that her one-on-one meetings focus on the team members, not the hows and whys of what happened. Again, balance is important. Acknowledge the good deeds and suggest ways to improve the rest. After all, people management is about enabling others to reach their potential.  In this journey, Shivani has some recommendations for new managers, which have been her personal favorites, too –
In sum, effective people management and enabling people’s success are often what Shivani acknowledges as “thankless jobs.” Nonetheless, the impact is evident when the teams continue reaching new heights of success, even when tracking it in precise numbers could be a little tricky. 

How can Risely help?

Shivani Pande has developed their leadership style by working diligently and observing different types of leaders, an opportunity only some aspiring managers may have. But here’s the thing: we miss out on the nitty gritty and don’t always have the support to overcome similar challenges. That’s where Risely steps in as a solution. Risely is an AI buddy for managers, offering the guidance that every manager needs to unleash their true potential. With tailored steps and insights, Risely empowers you to solve challenges in simple steps: 
  • Identify your challenges: The journey begins when a manager starts by defining their challenges. From 50+ challenges, managers and team leaders can identify the issues hurting their team.
  • Test your skills: In the second step, skills and qualities, such as expectation setting and prioritization skills, are tested with the help of leadership skill assessments to see how well you have achieved these critical functions. These assessments help us create detailed reports for skills and abilities.
  • Start growing: Now comes the good part: where your progress becomes Risely’s agenda. Managers can start making progress with the help of daily nudges, toolkits, and the interactive AI coach – Merlin, who is there for you through thick or thin, whether day or night. 
Sounds exciting? You can start a free conversation with Merlin now!

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

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7 Underrated Ted Talks For Managers You Must Watch

7 Underrated Ted Talks For Managers You Must Watch

Becoming a manager is a significant milestone in one’s career. It often comes with new challenges and responsibilities that require a different set of skills. While there are many resources available for managers to enhance their management skills, one underrated source of inspiration and knowledge is TED Talks.

TED Talks are powerful presentations by experts in various fields that cover a wide range of topics, including leadership, management, and personal development. In this blog, we will explore seven underrated TED Talks that every manager should watch to gain valuable insights and enhance their leadership abilities.

Table of Contents

7 Must-Watch TED Talks for Every Manager

TED Talks offer a unique platform for experts to share their ideas and experiences, making them a valuable resource for managers seeking to enhance their leadership skills. Here are seven must-watch TED Talks that cover a range of insights for people managers like you:

#1 Can I be myself at work?

Speaker: Linden Vazey Key Concept for Managers: Authenticity
Beyond the talk: Read more about 5 Ways Self Awareness At Work Helps You Shine

The TED Talk titled Can I Be Myself at Work? by Linden Vazey, presented at TEDxUOA, explores the importance of authenticity in the workplace. Vazey discusses her personal journey transitioning from a tech consulting role to a career in leadership coaching. She focuses on something that is a frequent conflict for each of us – being our true selves in a professional setting. 

While speaking of authenticity in workplaces, Vazey talks about a feeling familiar to us: the fear of not fitting in, feeling like an imposter, and being judged by others around us. She shares insights on how embracing authenticity can lead to greater job satisfaction, better performance, and stronger workplace relationships. The talk also provides practical advice on creating an inclusive environment where employees feel safe to express their true identities with you.

#2 Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe

Speaker: Simon Sinek Key Concept for Managers: Psychological safety
Beyond the talk: Read more about How Lack Of Trust In The Workplace Can Destroy The Work Culture

In the TED Talk Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe, Simon Sinek discusses the critical role of leaders in creating a sense of security and trust within an organization. Sinek explains that good leaders foster a safe environment by prioritizing the well-being of their team members, which in turn inspires certain critical elements in your team, namely – loyalty, cooperation, and exceptional performance.

He uses examples from the military and corporate world to illustrate how effective leaders put others before themselves, creating a “circle of safety.” This concept means that when your employees feel protected from external threats and internal politics, they can focus on collaborating and innovating, leading your team to greater organizational success.

Sinek emphasizes that leadership is not about being in charge but about taking care of those in your charge. By building trust and demonstrating empathy, you can cultivate a supportive culture where employees feel valued and motivated to contribute their best efforts.

#3 How to Deal with Difficult People

Speaker: Jay Johnson Key Concept for Managers: Psychological safety
Beyond the talk: Read more about The Top 10 Strategies For Dealing With Difficult People At Work

In the TEDx talk How to Deal with Difficult People, Jay Johnson offers practical advice on managing challenging relationships both professionally and personally. Johnson emphasizes understanding the root causes of difficult behavior, which often stems from stress, insecurity, or unmet needs.

He suggests strategies such as active listening, maintaining composure, and setting clear boundaries. The core message is that by empathizing with the difficult person’s perspective and communicating assertively yet respectfully, you can navigate conflicts more effectively and foster more positive interactions.

#4 Using 5 minutes of Self-Care to Survive Burnout

Speaker: Racquel Armstrong Key Concept for Managers: Burnout
Beyond the talk: Read more about Feeling Overwhelmed at Work? 5 Things To Do Before Quitting

In the TEDx talk Using 5 Minutes of Self-Care to Survive Burnout, Racquel Armstrong shares practical strategies for managing and preventing burnout through simple self-care routines. Armstrong highlights the importance of taking brief, intentional breaks throughout the day to recharge mentally and physically. She explains that dedicating just five minutes to activities like deep breathing, stretching, or mindfulness can significantly help you reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

Armstrong’s approach is especially geared toward busy professionals who often feel they don’t have time for self-care. You can enhance resilience and maintain a healthier work-life balance by integrating these short practices into daily routines.

#5 Leaders who coach are creating better workplaces, and so can you.

Speaker: Saba Imru-Mathieu Key Concept for Managers: Coaching managers
Beyond the talk: Read more about The Manager’s Guide To Coaching Employees In The Workplace

In the TEDx talk Leaders Who Coach Are Creating Better Workplaces, and So Can You, Saba Imru-Mathieu discusses how adopting a coaching approach can significantly improve workplace dynamics. She emphasizes that leaders who act as coaches help to empower their employees, fostering a more supportive and productive environment.

Imru-Mathieu explains that coaching involves listening actively, asking powerful questions, and providing constructive feedback, which helps team members to develop their skills and confidence. This approach not only enhances individual performance but also contributes to a more engaged and motivated workforce.

She highlights that by prioritizing personal development and creating a culture of continuous improvement, leaders can cultivate a sense of trust and collaboration. This, in turn, leads to better overall outcomes for the organization.

#6 The Power of Purpose in Business

Speaker: Ashley M. Grice Key Concept for Managers: Power of purpose
Beyond the talk: Read more about How To Create Purpose At Work For Your Employees?

In the TEDx talk The Power of Purpose in Business, Ashley M. Grice discusses how a well-defined purpose can significantly enhance business performance and employee satisfaction. Grice explains that a company’s purpose goes beyond its mission or vision statements; it represents the core reason for its existence and guides all strategic decisions.

She highlights that having a clear and compelling purpose can drive innovation, improve customer loyalty, and attract top talent. Grice emphasizes that purpose should be deeply embedded in the company culture and reflected in everyday actions and policies. By aligning organizational goals with a strong sense of purpose, you can positively impact both your employees and society.

#7 Feelings: Handle them before they handle you

Speaker: Mandy Saligari Key Concept for Managers: Managing emotions
Beyond the talk: Read more about 5 Ways To Master Emotional Management At Work For Managers

In the TEDx talk “Feelings: Handle Them Before They Handle You,” Mandy Saligari delves into the importance of managing emotions to maintain mental health and well-being. Saligari, an addiction therapist, underscores that unprocessed feelings can lead to negative behaviors and severe mental health issues. She explains that understanding and addressing emotions proactively can prevent them from overwhelming individuals and leading to destructive patterns, a fact that should raise our concern and awareness about the importance of emotional management.

Saligari outlines practical steps for emotional management, including recognizing triggers, practicing self-awareness, and developing healthy coping mechanisms. You can improve your mental resilience and lead more balanced lives by handling emotions effectively.

OtherInterestingReads

How to make the most of Ted Talks for Managers?

TED Talks offer you a unique opportunity to enhance leadership skills. By watching these talks and gaining insights from experienced professionals and thought leaders, you can gain valuable knowledge, perspectives, and practical strategies that can be applied to their own management style. Here’s a simple framework that you can follow to extract the maximum value from ted talks as a manager: 

  • Reflect on your current management style and identify areas for improvement.
  • Take notes on the key insights and strategies shared in the TED Talks that resonate with you.
  • Develop an action plan for implementing these strategies into your daily management practices.
  • Seek feedback from your team members on how the changes you’ve made have positively impacted their experience.
  •  Continuously evaluate and adjust your approach based on feedback and the evolving needs of your team.

Wrapping Up

TED Talks offer valuable insights for managers looking to enhance their leadership skills. By delving into topics like team potential, change management, and emotional intelligence, these talks equip you with practical strategies to drive team performance and foster a culture of innovation. Applying the lessons from these talks to daily practices can transform challenges into opportunities and inspire exceptional leadership in any environment. Continuous learning through TED Talks not only enriches managerial skills but also cultivates a mindset of growth and adaptability essential for navigating today’s dynamic business landscape. Start watching these underrated TED Talks today and elevate your leadership game!

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

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How To Train Leaders? Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

How To Train Leaders? Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Leadership training plays a vital role in shaping the success of organizations. Great leaders can influence others, drive positive culture changes, and motivate teams to achieve exceptional results. The question of whether leadership can be learned or if existing leaders need ongoing training is a topic of debate. While some individuals may possess natural leadership qualities, training and development are essential to enhance their skills and ensure they are equipped to handle the challenges of the modern workplace. In today’s business environment, leadership styles and requirements are constantly evolving. Therefore, you must invest in leadership development programs to stay ahead and cultivate a pool of capable leaders who can drive their organizations toward success.
Table of Contents

Let’s Understand Leadership in the Future of Work

Leadership development is a multidimensional process encompassing various aspects such as communication skills, leadership style, and the ability to inspire and motivate others.  Effective leadership in the modern workplace goes beyond traditional hierarchical structures. It involves creating an environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Leaders must possess strong communication skills to effectively convey their vision and goals to the team. They should be able to listen actively, understand their team members’ needs and concerns, and provide clear and constructive feedback. Leadership style is another critical aspect of leadership training. Different situations may require different leadership styles. For example, a transformational leadership style may effectively drive change and inspire creativity. In contrast, a situational leadership style may be more appropriate when dealing with different individuals and tasks. Developing a versatile leadership style involves:
  • Self-awareness.
  • Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.
  • Adapting to the specific needs of the situation.

The Impact of Effective Leadership on Organizational Success

Leadership has a profound impact on organizational success. As Harvard Business Review found, effective leadership is one of the key factors contributing to high-performing organizations. Good leadership positively affects organizational performance, employee engagement, and productivity. Leaders who communicate the organization’s vision and goals effectively inspire their team members to perform at their best. They create a positive work culture that fosters creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Additionally, effective leaders are skilled at developing and nurturing talent within their organizations, which contributes to a sustainable pipeline of future leaders. Moreover, leaders who prioritize the development and growth of their team members create a sense of loyalty and commitment, leading to increased employee retention. This, in turn, reduces turnover costs and fosters a stable and motivated workforce. Therefore, investing in leadership training is not only important for the individual growth of leaders but also crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of organizations.
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How to train leaders, effectively?

Training leaders requires a strategic approach that involves identifying leadership potential, assessing gaps in leadership ability, tying in succession plans and career development, creating a roadmap, and providing opportunities to apply learnings. By investing in leadership development programs and training, you can cultivate a pool of capable leaders who can drive their teams toward success.

Identify leadership potential

Identifying leadership potential is the first step in developing leaders. This involves assessing individuals for their capability to lead effectively. Some strategies to identify leadership potential include:
  • Talent development programs that provide opportunities for employees to showcase their leadership skills and potential.
  • Succession planning is when high-potential employees are identified early on and provided with the necessary training and development opportunities.
  • Assessing employees’ performance and potential through performance appraisals and talent reviews.
  • Observing employees’ behavior and performance in various situations to determine their ability to handle challenges and inspire others.

Where do teams mess up while identifying leadership potential? 

Identifying the right people to nurture into leaders ensures your organization has a robust talent pipeline. Yet, at times, the best of intentions fall short in actions.  One common mistake is focusing too much on outwardly charismatic or outspoken individuals while overlooking quieter team members who may possess strong leadership qualities, such as empathy, problem-solving skills, or strategic thinking. Another mistake is solely relying on performance metrics, such as sales numbers or project outcomes, to identify leadership potential. While performance is important, it doesn’t always correlate with leadership ability, and other factors like teamwork, mentorship, and communication skills should also be considered. Moreover, it’s essential to recognize that effective leadership can take many forms and that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Mistakes can occur when you only look for individuals who exhibit a particular style or personality traits rather than embracing the diversity of leadership styles within a team. Read more: High potentials vs high performers: 10 steps for managers to make them reach heights

How can Risely help you avoid this?

First, Risely works with a comprehensive leadership skill assessment. So, you will not work solely on the five skills that are easy to track; Risely enables evaluation of close to 20 core people management skills with self and team assessments for all your managers at scale – so that you catch all the perspectives you need to groom your managers into effective people leaders. Moreover, Risely ensures that you see insights at the sub-skill level and, thus, create interventions that match the needs of your team. Plus, Risely is entirely customizable, so your managers do not need to worry about matching up a particular style of leadership training or management quirks. Instead, it suits their context and challenges in real time, leaving behind the era of one-size-fits-all leadership training. 

Assess gaps in leadership ability 

Assessing the gaps in their leadership ability is important to understand where you need to help potential leaders. This involves identifying the skills and competencies that must be developed to enhance their capabilities through training leaders. Some ways to assess gaps in leadership ability include:
  • Conducting leadership assessments and 360-degree feedback to gather insights from peers, subordinates, and superiors.
  • Reviewing performance reviews and identifying areas where leaders may need additional support or training.
  • Analyzing the results of talent development programs and identifying areas where leaders may need further development.
  • Identifying gaps in soft skills such as communication, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence and hard skills such as strategic thinking and decision-making.

Where do assessments of leadership ability go wrong?

First, think of leadership assessments in your organization. How are they conducted? Do the managers self-report, or do their seniors share feedback? Many times, organizations lack the capacity to build 360-degree assessments of leadership skills and miss out on insights.  Similarly, the assessments could miss out on core leadership areas like managers’ guidance and coaching abilities. Hard skills are easier to track and take over the spotlight in assessment season. Leaders’ effectiveness can vary depending on the context and environment in which they operate. Neglecting contextual factors such as organizational culture, team dynamics, and industry trends can lead to inaccurate assessments of leadership gaps.

How does Risely improve leadership skill assessments for L&D teams?

Risely’s leadership assessments incorporate self-scores and anonymous feedback from a manager’s team members. As the admin, you can get insights at the sub-skill level for every manager in your organization and help them in a way that suits their context. With Risely, administering leadership skill assessments is the easiest thing ever.  Moreover, the all-in-one skill center shares a leader’s growth in a particular area over time as well as against all the other leaders in your company. Check them out here today for free: Leadership Skills Assessments

Tie in your succession plans and their career plans

Tying in succession plans and career plans is crucial for training leaders. By aligning succession plans with career development, you can create a clear pathway for employees to progress in their leadership roles. Some strategies for tying in succession plans and career plans include:
  • Providing opportunities for employees to take on stretch assignments and projects that align with their career goals and help them develop new skills.
  • Offering mentoring and coaching programs where experienced leaders can guide and support emerging leaders in their career development.
  • Creating individual development plans that outline the steps and resources needed for employees to achieve their career goals.
  • Identify potential career paths within the organization and provide employees with the necessary training and development opportunities to progress along those paths.

Where do succession planning and leadership development diverge?

Succession planning and leadership development are two distinct areas that hardly meet for many organizations. Yet, success lies in ensuring that you are preparing leaders for the roles that your organization needs in the future.  One common mistake is not aligning the organization’s succession planning efforts with individual leaders’ career goals and aspirations. When succession plans do not consider leaders’ career aspirations, it can result in disengagement and talent retention issues. Plus, leadership development must align well with the organizational values and ethos. Moreover, successful integration of succession and career plans often requires mentorship and sponsorship from senior leaders. Failing to provide mentorship and sponsorship opportunities can limit leaders’ access to guidance, support, and advocacy for career advancement. But, it’s a hard truth that, at times, mentorship is just not possible: the senior leadership may not have the time, interest, or guidance ability, and there could be a mismatch of personalities and challenges in rapport building – all leading toward failure of a potential leader. 

How does Risely help you bridge the gap between succession plans and leadership development? 

First, Risely works with the policies and values central to your team. Risely’s AI coach, Merlin, who offers real-time personalized assistance to people managers, is trained to tie up your ideas with its management expertise while sharing guidance with your managers. Second, it removes the trouble of finding and setting up mentors in an already overwhelmed organization. Every manager on your team has a coach suited to their context and challenges, and they resolve them as and when they arise, leaving hesitation and delays outside the room.

Create a roadmap 

Creating a roadmap is essential for the training leaders well. A roadmap outlines the steps and milestones leaders need to achieve to reach their full potential. It provides a clear path for leadership training and ensures leaders receive the necessary training and support. 

Where do leadership development roadmaps go wrong?

Most commonly, roadmaps take a one-size-fits-all approach, overlooking the diverse needs, strengths, and aspirations of individual leaders.  Another common mistake is creating a roadmap that lacks clarity regarding goals, milestones, and timelines. Without clear direction, leaders may feel lost or uncertain about progressing along their development journey. Plus, effective roadmaps include mechanisms for monitoring leaders’ progress and adjusting development plans as needed. Failing to monitor progress results in missed opportunities for course correction and improvement.

How can Risely fine-tune your leadership development roadmap?

Individual development plans for every leader on your team can seem like a daunting task, but Risely gets you sorted super quickly. Risely offers customized learn journeys that engage with the leader at their level. Challenges, context, and development needs come together to build a path that suits their journey at a pace that does not hinder their workflow.  Plus, heavy leadership training initiatives often annoy managers who already have big task lists to handle. Risely offers support in the flow of work; whatever workspace your organization uses becomes the home of learning, and any language your managers feel comfortable using becomes the mode of coaching.

Give opportunities to apply learnings 

Giving opportunities to apply learnings is crucial for the development of leaders. It allows them to practice and refine their skills in real-world situations. Some strategies for giving opportunities to apply learnings include:
  • Providing stretch assignments and projects that challenge leaders to apply their skills and knowledge in new and complex situations.
  • Offering training programs with practical exercises and simulations to simulate real-world leadership scenarios.
  • Assign mentors or coaches who can provide guidance and feedback on leaders’ performance and help them apply what they have learned in their day-to-day work.
  • Encouraging leaders to take on leadership roles in cross-functional teams or industry associations to gain exposure and experience in different settings.

What are the common challenges managers face when creating learning opportunities?

Providing opportunities for leaders to apply what they have learned reinforces development efforts and fosters growth. However, there are common things that could be improved at this stage. Most commonly, it offers limited or narrowly focused opportunities for leaders to apply what they have learned. As every manager is at a different stage of growth, size exercises just don’t cut it, no matter how well-designed they are. Opportunities for applying learnings should be closely aligned with leaders’ development goals and areas of focus. Moreover, opportunities to apply learning must be accompanied by mechanisms for gathering feedback and encouraging reflection. Without feedback and reflection, leaders struggle to identify areas for improvement and miss out on valuable learning opportunities.

How does Risely create meaningful learning experiences for your managers? 

As Risely’s leadership training journey is customized to suit the context and challenges of your manager, the nuggets provided at each step follow the same pattern. Each day comes with something new—a quiz, short informative videos, team exercises, case studies—that is relevant to the manager’s present skills in focus. The story does not end here; managers can always turn to Merlin and discuss what happened, how they could have performed better, and what behaviors they should continue for success. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, training leaders is crucial for organizational growth and success in today’s dynamic business landscape. You can effectively nurture future leaders by identifying leadership potential, assessing gaps, and providing growth opportunities. Cultivating core leadership qualities and implementing mentorship programs are key strategies for developing managerial skills. Overcoming challenges like resistance to change and ensuring ongoing engagement are vital in this process. Continuous learning and development initiatives play a significant role in creating a pipeline of skilled leaders. Organizations can secure a strong foundation for long-term success by investing in leadership training the right way.

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

Add more value to leadership training with assessments!

Check out Risely’s range of leadership skill assessments for people managers for free today.

Start Now

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Five Things You Must Know About Sales Leadership Development Programs

Five Things You Must Know About Sales Leadership Development Programs

Sales leadership development programs play a crucial role in the success of sales teams and organizations. These programs focus on developing the leadership skills of sales professionals, enabling them to effectively manage and guide their teams toward achieving sales goals.  In this blog, we will explore five key things you must know about sales leadership development programs. We will discuss the key highlights of these programs, the importance of sales leadership in today’s market, the objectives of sales leadership programs, the core elements of effective sales leadership development programs, common pitfalls to avoid, and best practices for implementing these programs. Whether you are a sales manager looking to enhance your leadership skills or an organization seeking to develop your sales team, this blog will provide valuable insights and guidance.
Table of Contents

Let’s Understand Sales Leadership Development

Sales leadership development focuses on enhancing the leadership skills of sales professionals to effectively manage and guide their teams toward achieving sales goals. It involves training and supporting sales managers and team leaders, equipping them with the necessary tools and strategies to drive sales performance and business growth. Sales leadership development programs typically cover various aspects of sales management, including sales process, management training, and sales coaching, to ensure sales leaders have the knowledge and skills to succeed. Read more: 15+ Sales Manager Best Practices to Boost Your Team’s Performance

Key Objectives of Sales Leadership Programs

Sales leadership programs have specific objectives designed to enhance sales leaders’ skills and capabilities. These objectives typically include 
  • Developing strong sales coaching abilities
  • Improving sales training methodologies
  • Effectively managing and developing team members. 
Sales coaching is an essential aspect of sales leadership, as it involves providing guidance and support to individual team members to help them achieve their full potential. Sales training is another key objective, as it equips sales leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to train and develop their teams. Finally, effective sales leadership involves managing and developing team members, ensuring that they have the skills and resources needed to excel in their roles.

Must-haves of a Good Sales Leadership Development Program

Effective sales leadership development programs incorporate several core elements for building strong sales leaders. These elements include sales management training, which equips sales leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage their teams effectively. Sales skills training is also crucial, as it focuses on enhancing the sales skills of leaders, enabling them to lead by example. Also, time management skills are vital for sales leaders, as they must effectively prioritize tasks and manage their time to drive sales performance and achieve sales goals.

Strategic Thinking and Planning

Strategic thinking and planning are essential elements of effective sales leadership development programs. Sales leaders must have a strategic mindset and the ability to develop and execute plans aligning with the overall business goals. Here are three critical aspects of strategic thinking and planning in sales leadership:
  • Strategic planning: Sales leaders need to develop strategic plans that outline the goals, objectives, and actions required to achieve sales targets.
  • Sales pipeline management: Effective sales leaders understand the importance of managing the pipeline and ensuring a steady flow of leads and opportunities.
  • Sales goals: Setting clear and achievable sales goals is crucial for sales leaders, as it provides clarity and direction for their teams.

Advanced Communication Skills for Leaders

Effective communication is a critical skill for sales leaders. You need it for conveying information, motivating and inspiring team members, and building solid relationships with customers and stakeholders. Advanced communication skills are essential for sales leaders, as they must effectively communicate sales strategies, goals, and expectations to their teams. They also need to conduct effective sales meetings and provide feedback and guidance to sales reps. By honing their communication skills, sales leaders can create a collaborative and productive environment, foster trust and transparency, and lead their teams toward sales success. Read more: 10 Soft Skills for sales professionals: The Key to Success

Techniques for Motivating and Inspiring Sales Teams

Motivating and inspiring sales teams is a crucial responsibility of sales leaders. Using effective techniques, sales leaders can create a positive and empowering environment, encouraging team members to achieve their full potential. This area further includes important aspects of sales leadership like:
  • Providing recognition and rewards for achievements
  • Setting clear goals and expectations
  • Offering ongoing training and development opportunities
  • Encouraging collaboration and teamwork
By implementing these techniques, sales leaders can boost team morale, enhance team members’ skills and performance, and drive overall sales success.
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Common Pitfalls in Sales Leadership Training

While sales leadership training is essential for developing effective sales leaders, there are common pitfalls that you should be aware of and avoid. These pitfalls can hinder the effectiveness of your sales leadership training and limit its impact on sales performance. Some common pitfalls include:
  • Not providing proper training and support to sales leaders
  • Failing to provide valuable tools and resources to sales leaders
  • Expecting sales leaders to excel in their roles without adequate training and development
  • Ignoring the unique challenges and responsibilities of the sales management role
Within the sales leadership development programs, some common errors impede success. We will discuss some issues below so that you can take care to avoid them while planning: 

Overlooking the Importance of Soft Skills

One common pitfall in sales leadership training is overlooking the importance of soft skills. While technical and sales skills are crucial for sales professionals, soft skills play a vital role in effective sales leadership. Soft skills like communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence enable sales leaders to build strong relationships with their team members, customers, and stakeholders. These skills also enhance their leadership abilities, allowing them to motivate, inspire, and engage their teams toward sales success.

Neglecting Individual Learning Styles

Another common pitfall in sales leadership training is neglecting individual learning styles. People have different preferences and styles when it comes to learning and retaining information. Neglecting individual learning styles can hinder the effectiveness of your training programs and limit the impact on sales leaders’ development. Organizations should consider incorporating different learning methods, such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic techniques, to cater to the diverse learning styles of sales leaders. 

Failing to Align Training with Business Goals

Another common pitfall is failing to align sales leadership training with business goals. Training programs should be designed to align with the overall business goals and objectives. Sales leaders should have the skills and knowledge to drive sales success and achieve the organization’s targets. By aligning training with business goals, you can ensure that sales leaders are focused on the right priorities and are equipped to make strategic decisions that support the overall business objectives. Training programs should incorporate relevant sales strategies, best practices, and industry-specific knowledge.

Best Practices for Implementing Sales Leadership Development

Implementing sales leadership development programs requires careful planning and execution to ensure effectiveness. Here are three best practices for implementing sales leadership development that you must keep in mind:

Customizing Training to Fit Team Needs

One best practice for implementing sales leadership development programs is customizing training to fit the sales team’s specific needs. Every sales team is unique, with its challenges, strengths, and areas for improvement. By customizing training programs, you can address the particular needs of their sales team and provide targeted development opportunities. This includes focusing on sales methodologies, industry-specific knowledge, or skill gaps identified within the team. Customized training ensures sales leaders receive the training and support they need to excel in their roles and drive sales success.

Continuous Learning and Development

Promoting continuous learning and development is another best practice for implementing sales leadership development programs. You should encourage sales leaders to engage in ongoing learning and development to stay updated on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies. This can be done through various avenues, such as industry conferences, webinars, workshops, and online learning platforms. By continuously improving their skills and knowledge, sales leaders can adapt to changing market dynamics, enhance their leadership abilities, and drive sales success.

Measuring Success Beyond Sales Targets

Measuring the success of sales leadership development programs goes beyond sales targets. While achieving sales targets is important, you should consider other factors contributing to sales success, like:
  • Employee satisfaction: Measure employee satisfaction and engagement levels as indicators of program effectiveness.
  • Retention rates: Track the retention rates of sales team members to assess the impact of the program.
  • Overall sales performance: Analyze overall sales performance, including revenue growth, customer acquisition, and market share.

Conclusion

Sales leadership development programs play a vital role in shaping successful sales teams. By focusing on strategic planning, effective communication, and team motivation, these programs set the stage for enhanced business performance. Avoid common pitfalls like neglecting soft skills and failing to align training with business goals. Instead, customize training, emphasize continuous learning, and measure success beyond sales targets. Implementing best practices ensures that your sales leadership development program remains effective and relevant. Remember, investing in your sales leaders’ growth and development ultimately leads to your business’s long-term success.

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

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Unlocking the Secrets to Exceptional Manager Training 

Unlocking the Secrets to Exceptional Manager Training 

Effective management skills are essential for organizational success in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape. Managers are crucial in driving team performance, fostering employee engagement, and achieving organizational goals. However, being an effective manager is not innate; it requires training, development, and continuous improvement. In this blog, we will explore the importance and methods of manager training so that you can make the right choices for your team.
Table of Contents

Why is manager training important?

Manager training is a critical component of a comprehensive learning and development strategy. It gives managers the necessary skills, knowledge, and tools to lead their teams and achieve organizational goals effectively. Effective managers positively impact team performance, employee retention, and organizational success.  With proper training, managers may navigate the steep learning curve of new roles, resulting in a lack of essential skills needed for effective leadership. Otherwise, it’s like setting them up for failure. Team members would appreciate your investment in manager training because only 27% of employees feel like managers are skilled the managers are skilled and able to do their jobs well. Investing in manager training, such as manager leadership training, management training programs, and new manager training programs, is essential for building robust leadership pipelines and ensuring the long-term success of an organization.

What if you are ignoring Manager Training?

Ignoring manager training can have significant risks and negative consequences for an organization.
  • Managers lacking essential leadership skills and knowledge struggle to lead and motivate their teams effectively. 
  • Lack of manager training lays the ground for dissatisfied teams that face high turnover and absenteeism. 
  • Managers who lack training struggle to create an environment encouraging experimentation and risk-taking, hindering innovation efforts.
  • Poor leadership and management practices can damage your organization’s internal and external reputation.
  • Organizations cannot fill key leadership roles when vacancies arise without a pipeline of capable leaders.
Read more: What makes Leadership Training successful?

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Components of Manager Training

Effective manager training comprises various components that focus on developing the necessary skills and competencies for managerial success. These components include:
  • Managerial hard skills: One key component is recognizing the essential skills that effective managers possess, such as emotional intelligence, conflict resolution skills, and decision-making abilities. Emotional intelligence enables managers to understand and manage their own emotions and effectively navigate interpersonal relationships. Conflict resolution skills are crucial for handling disagreements and fostering a positive work environment, while strong decision-making skills contribute to effective problem-solving and organizational success.
  • Managerial soft skills: Another vital component of manager training is the role of communication in management. Communication skills are essential for effective managers, enabling precise and effective communication with team members, upper management, and other stakeholders. Effective communication fosters team building enhances collaboration and creates a positive work environment. In addition, good communication skills also enable managers to provide constructive feedback, support employee development, and facilitate effective performance reviews.
  • Enabling team success: Successful manager training programs also focus on diversity and inclusion, recognizing the value of strong interpersonal skills and the role of feedback in employee engagement. Strong interpersonal skills enable managers to build positive relationships, resolve conflicts, and create a supportive work environment. Organizations can foster employee engagement, enhance performance management, and drive continuous improvement by providing managers with the tools and training they need to give and receive feedback effectively.
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Key Skills that Manager Training Must Focus On

Effective managers possess a range of critical skills that enable them to lead their teams and drive organizational success. 
  • Conflict resolution skills: Managers often encounter conflicts within or between team members. By developing solid conflict-resolution skills, managers can effectively address conflicts, mediate disputes, and promote a healthy work environment. This skill set allows managers to find mutually beneficial solutions, build stronger relationships, and enhance team performance.
  • Performance management: Effective performance management requires managers to make decisions regarding employee performance, feedback for their team, goal-setting, and recognition. Managers can ensure fairness, objectivity, and consistency in performance management practices by honing their decision-making skills. It contributes to employee engagement, professional growth, and organizational success.
  • Problem-solving: Managers frequently face complex problems that require innovative and effective solutions. Strong problem-solving skills allow managers to gather information, analyze data, consider various perspectives, and generate creative solutions. Effective problem-solving contributes to improved team performance, increased productivity, and the ability to navigate challenges successfully.
  • Building solid relationships: Interpersonal skills, such as active listening, empathy, and effective communication, enable managers to build strong relationships with their team members. Strong relationships foster trust, respect, and collaboration, enhancing team performance and employee engagement.
  • Constructive feedback: Effective feedback is crucial for employee development, performance management, and individual growth. Managers who can offer constructive feedback, both positive and negative, in a clear, timely, and objective manner enable their team members to learn, grow, and reach their full potential. Feedback also helps managers align individual performance with organizational goals, improving team performance and organizational success.

How to set up a manager training program?

Implementing manager training in L&D teams involves:
  • Creating a sample action plan for planning.
  • Breaking structural barriers for execution.
  • Preparing the culture and attitude.
  • Making engaging programs that resonate with the team.
You can define clear objectives and goals, offer coaching access, and promote mentorship. Additionally, professional development opportunities and diversity training programs are instrumental in developing a leadership pipeline with new skills.  The essential areas that you should consider include:

The Methods Used in Manager Training

Training methods for managers have evolved significantly in recent years. Organizations are implementing innovative approaches to manager training with an increasing focus on developing new roles for managers. According to the Harvard Business Review, job training is tailored to cultivate new skills and build a robust leadership pipeline. It includes personalized coaching, mentorship programs, and self-paced learning to accommodate the time of managers. Additionally, diversity training programs are being integrated to address the needs of upper management and promote a cookie policy. These contemporary methods prioritize skill-building and overall manager development instead of one-shot solutions.
  • Coaching Access and Mentorship: Incorporating effective coaching access benefits managers, enhancing their leadership potential and developing new skills. Mentorship is crucial in facilitating new manager training, supporting formal training programs, and nurturing the leadership pipeline. 
  • Professional Development Opportunities for Managers: These programs help hone fresh skills and prepare individuals for upper management roles. In addition to job training, additional support is also given to aid career development, allowing managers to advance at their own pace. 
  • Setting Clear Objectives and Goals: Aligning team performance with organizational goals and objectives establishes a practical management skills training program framework. Creating a conducive work environment that nurtures individual and team growth is essential for the success of the leadership pipeline and new skills acquisition. This approach not only benefits the team but also contributes to the overall development of the organization.
  • Diversity Training Programs in Management: Fostering an inclusive work environment through diversity training enhances team-building and communication skills, supporting employee development and engagement. Implementing diversity training plays a new role in promoting a leadership pipeline to upper management and introducing new skills for employees to own.

Planning for Manager Training

Identifying leaders’ leadership potential and providing comprehensive job training are essential for preparing them for their new roles. Implementing a manager training program supports organizational success and helps build a strong leadership pipeline. Hence, L&D managers need to step in and identify potential leaders and managers around whom high-performing teams can pivot. Providing additional training to new leaders ensures they maximize their new skills effectively. Preparing managers for their steep learning curve in upper management roles is vital for their success.  Key points to remember at this stage are: 
  • Manager training at different levels needs to vary. Team size and managers’ experience change the challenges they face, and as a result, the training needs to be catered to their real-life needs.
  • Not every manager would be readily available for manager training; some might be resistant, others may not feel the need, and some may lack the hours needed to do it. You should consider all these challenges before setting up your plans for manager training.

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Breaking structural barriers 

Breaking through structural barriers in leadership training is essential for fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development. Typically, manager training gets stuck because: 
  • The team has internal resistance as they do not see a reason for training.
  • The training is mismatched with the needs of the managers on your team.
  • The training is dull; this leads to dissatisfaction more often than we imagine. 
Overcoming these barriers benefits the individuals in their new roles and contributes to a robust leadership pipeline within the organization. It includes shaping a culture that focuses on learning and empowering people managers.
  • Demonstrate the importance of manager training: Talk about how embracing leadership development within the work environment cultivates a strong leadership pipeline. For senior stakeholders, the role of robust interpersonal skills and leadership development for managers in overall team growth is a critical area. 
  • Keep everything aligned: Aligning the manager’s training plan with organizational goals ensures that new skills are effectively integrated into the team’s dynamics. 
  • Create a culture that loves learning: Instilling a learning culture that supports individual and team growth lays the foundation for continual improvement. Effective training programs nurture the leadership potential of new managers.
Read more: How to Obtain Buy-In for Training from Stakeholders?

Making engaging programs for manager training

To support new managers’ success, training programs must resonate with their professional goals. Engaging leadership training empowers managers to lead with confidence and maximize learning outcomes. A few things you can do to boost engagement in manager training are: 
  • Tailoring manager training to individual learning needs and creating interactive experiences is crucial.  
  • Incorporate real-life scenarios and challenges that managers might encounter in their roles. It helps them understand how to apply the concepts they learn in training to practical situations.
  • Introduce gamification elements such as quizzes, simulations, and leaderboards to make the training experience more enjoyable and competitive. 
  • Offer ongoing support and resources beyond the initial training program, such as access to online courses, webinars, or coaching sessions.

Evaluating the Success of Manager Training

In determining the success of manager training, key metrics for evaluation and real-life success stories that highlight the impact of effective training programs must be considered. Think of: 
  • Measure participants’ satisfaction with the training program through post-training surveys or feedback forms. Ask them about the content’s relevance, instruction quality, and overall learning experience.
  • Evaluate how well managers are applying the knowledge and skills gained from the training program in their day-to-day roles. You can do this through self-assessments, manager evaluations, or supervisor observations.
  • Calculate the return on investment of the training program by comparing the costs of designing, delivering, and administering the program to the tangible benefits achieved, such as cost savings, revenue growth, or improved performance.
Additionally, continual improvement strategies should be explored to optimize learning and development. Evaluating the success of manager training requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond traditional measures and considers the broader impact on the organization’s performance and bottom line. While doing this, make sure that you are focusing on the relevant metrics for your organization and not falling into the trap of vanity metrics like completion rates.

Conclusion

In conclusion, exceptional management skills are essential for the success of any organization. Investing in manager training is crucial as it equips managers with the skills to lead and inspire their teams. Practical manager training should focus on developing key communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills. It should also provide opportunities for coaching, mentorship, and professional development. Implementing manager training requires careful planning, breaking structural barriers, preparing the culture, and creating engaging programs. Organizations prioritizing manager training can unlock the secrets to exceptional management skills and drive overall success.

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

Grab the free training and development plan template by Risely!

Refocus on core elements for effective training programs with Risely.

Start Now

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Leadership Coach For Women: What Makes It Different

Leadership Coach For Women: What Makes It Different

Executive coaching has become increasingly popular recently, helping professionals develop their leadership skills and reach their full potential. While coaching benefits both men and women, women face unique challenges in the workplace that require specialized coaching. This is where leadership coaching for women comes in. Leadership coaching for women is designed to address the barriers and obstacles women leaders encounter in their career journey. It focuses on empowering women to overcome these challenges, build their confidence, and develop their authentic leadership style. But is it really different? Do we even need a separate branch of coaching for women at work? In this blog, we will explore the key highlights of leadership coaching for women, its unique components, and the role mentorship plays in women’s leadership coaching. We will also address common questions and misconceptions surrounding leadership coaching for women.
Table of Contents

Let’s Understand Leadership Coaching for Women

Leadership coaching for women is a specialized form of executive coaching tailored specifically to address the unique challenges women leaders face. It goes beyond traditional leadership coaching by focusing on leaders’ needs and experiences. This form of coaching helps women develop the skills, confidence, and strategies necessary to navigate the complexities of leadership in a male-dominated workplace.

The Rise of Gender-Specific Coaching

In recent years, there has been a rise in gender-specific coaching programs, including leadership coaching for women. This is in response to the growing recognition of the unique challenges faced by women in leadership positions. While leadership development programs have traditionally been designed for both men and women, the rise of gender-specific coaching acknowledges the need for tailored approaches to support women leaders. These programs provide a nurturing and supportive environment for women to explore and develop their leadership skills and offer strategies for overcoming gender-related obstacles in the workplace.

Identifying Unique Challenges Faced by Women Leaders

Women leaders face a range of unique challenges in their leadership roles. From biases and stereotypes to unconscious biases and limited opportunities for advancement, women often face obstacles that their male counterparts do not. As per McKinsey’s Women in Workplace report of 2023
  • representation of women across leadership and managerial roles is growing only by 3-4 percent points.
  • for every 100 men promoted from entry level to manager, 87 women were promoted.
  • women are twice as likely to face micro-aggressions at work than men.
Leadership coaching for women helps women identify and navigate these challenges, enabling them to develop strategies to overcome them. It also allows women leaders to to clarify their career goals, explore their unique leadership styles, and build the confidence needed to succeed. Read more: Essential Guide to Effective Leadership Coaching
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Key Components of Effective Leadership Coaching for Women

Effective leadership coaching for women focuses on several vital components. 

Building Confidence and Assertiveness

One key component of effective leadership coaching for women is building confidence and assertiveness. Women leaders often face challenges in asserting themselves and expressing their ideas in male-dominated environments. Leadership coaching helps women develop their leadership style, build executive presence, and enhance resilience. Women leaders can confidently navigate challenges, influence others, and lead with authenticity and authority by working on these areas.

Strategies for Navigating Gender Bias in the Workplace

Gender bias is a pervasive issue in the workplace that hinders women leaders’ progress and opportunities. Even today, women of color are underrepresented in leadership roles, as per McKinsey. Leadership coaching for women provides strategies for navigating gender bias, including:
  • Developing resilience and emotional intelligence to handle biased situations
  • Assertively challenging gender stereotypes and biases
  • Building strong networks and support systems to overcome bias
  • Advocating for gender diversity and inclusion in organizations

Evaluating Leadership Coaching Programs: What to Look For

When choosing a leadership coaching program for women, it’s important to consider several factors. First, look for a coaching practice that has experience working with women leaders and understands their unique challenges. Additionally, consider the credentials and expertise of the coaches involved in the program. Look for coaches with experience in leadership positions who can provide practical guidance and insights. The program should also offer a tailored approach to women’s leadership development, addressing their needs and goals instead of serving the same cocktail of remedies that goes for every leader out there.

Tailored Approach to Women’s Leadership Development

A tailored approach to women’s leadership development is crucial for their success. Women face unique challenges and barriers in their career journeys, and leadership coaching should address these specific needs. A tailored approach recognizes the different experiences and perspectives of female executives. It provides coaching that caters to their individual strengths and goals.  Read more: 5 Reasons to Leave Behind One on One Leadership Coaching Today

Credentials and Success Stories of Coaches

When evaluating leadership coaching programs for women, it’s important to consider the credentials and success stories of the coaches involved. Look for coaches recognized by reputable sources such as the New York Times and Forbes. Additionally, consider the success stories and testimonials from women participating in the coaching program. A text table could be created to showcase the credentials and success stories of the coaches, highlighting their expertise and their impact on their clients.

The Role of Mentorship in Women’s Leadership Coaching

Mentorship plays a crucial role in women’s leadership coaching. A mentor can provide guidance, support, and valuable insights based on their experiences in leadership roles. They can help women leaders navigate challenges, develop their skills, and align their career goals with personal aspirations. Mentorship complements formal coaching by providing a personalized, ongoing relationship that focuses on the individual’s growth and development.

Finding the Right Leadership Coach for Women: Tips and Tricks

Finding the right mentor is essential for women’s leadership coaching. Here are some tips and tricks for finding a mentor:
  • Look for someone who has achieved the level of success you aspire to
  • Seek out mentors who have a similar leadership style or values to yours
  • Consider reaching out to industry experts or successful leaders for mentorship opportunities
  • Look for mentors who are willing to invest their time and energy in your development
  •  Finding the right mentor can provide invaluable guidance and support on your leadership journey, helping you achieve fulfillment and success.

How Mentorship Complements Formal Coaching

Mentorship and formal coaching are both valuable components of women’s leadership development. While formal coaching provides structure, guidance, and specific strategies, mentorship offers a more personalized and ongoing relationship. Mentorship complements formal coaching by providing real-world insights and perspectives, helping women leaders navigate challenges, and building resilience. The combination of formal coaching and mentorship creates a comprehensive support system that addresses leadership development’s practical and emotional aspects.

Is Leadership Coaching for Women Just a Marketing Gimmick?

Leadership coaching for women is often criticized as just a marketing gimmick. However, it is essential to recognize the unique challenges and barriers women face in the workplace. Gender-specific coaching programs like leadership coaching for women are designed to address these challenges and provide tailored support to help women leaders overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential. While marketing plays a role in promoting these programs, the focus is on empowering and supporting women leaders, not just selling a product.

Debunking Myths Around Gender-Specific Coaching

There are several myths surrounding gender-specific coaching, including the belief that it perpetuates gender stereotypes or promotes perfectionism. In reality, gender-specific coaching programs like leadership coaching for women aim to address the unique challenges women face, not reinforce stereotypes. These programs help women develop their authentic leadership style, build confidence, and overcome perfectionism. By debunking these myths, we can better understand the value of gender-specific coaching in supporting women leaders.

Measurable Outcomes of Leadership Coaching for Women

Leadership coaching for women has measurable outcomes that can be seen in various aspects of leadership development. Some of these outcomes include:
  • Improved executive presence and communication skills
  • Increased confidence and assertiveness in leadership roles
  • Enhanced ability to navigate gender bias and other workplace challenges
  • Greater resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity
  • Higher levels of job satisfaction and fulfillment
  •  These measurable outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of leadership coaching for women in supporting their growth and development as leaders.

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Conclusion

In essence, leadership coaching for women offers a tailored approach to address the unique challenges female leaders face. It focuses on building confidence, navigating gender biases, and fostering assertiveness. Gender-specific coaching is not a marketing gimmick; it yields measurable outcomes and empowers women in leadership roles. Through mentorship and structured coaching programs, women can succeed and make significant career strides. The rise of such coaching signifies a positive shift towards inclusivity and diversity in the workplace, benefiting both women and organizations. Embracing gender-specific coaching is a step towards creating a more equitable and empowered workforce.

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

Make your coaching experience as unique as you! Try Merlin.

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Sales Leadership Coaching: A Beginner’s Guide

Sales Leadership Coaching: A Beginner’s Guide

Sales leadership plays a critical role in the success of any sales organization. Sales leaders are responsible for guiding and managing their sales teams, setting sales goals, and ensuring the achievement of sales targets. However, being an effective sales leader requires a set of leadership skills that are not always innate. Plus, these skills are a little different from your usual host of sales skills. This is where sales leadership coaching can make a significant difference. Investing in sales leadership coaching can unlock various benefits that can positively impact your teams and shared performance. In this blog, we will explore the key benefits of sales leadership coaching and how it can help you advance professionally.
Table of Contents

What’s Sales Leadership Coaching?

Let’s leave behind the limited understanding of leadership in sales, which just talks of assigning and enforcing targets. Sales leadership plays a crucial role in driving the success of a sales organization. A skilled sales leader not only manages the sales team but also sets the direction drives performance and ensures the achievement of sales targets. As an effective sales leader, you can significantly impact your team’s overall performance. Sales management oversees the sales team’s activities, monitors their performance, and provides guidance and support to help them achieve their goals. A sales leader sets the vision, develops strategies, and motivates the team to reach their potential. To get this massive set of responsibilities right day in and out, you must possess strong leadership skills, including effective communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and team-building. Thus, investing in your leadership development becomes imperative for the sheer impact it can create—it’s about your team’s performance, your performance, and ultimately your career. Sales leadership coaching provides a structured and personalized approach to enhancing leadership skills, developing strategic sales leadership, and achieving sales goals, all of which are critical in your journey. Read more: Essential Guide to Effective Leadership Coaching

What happens when you don’t invest in sales leadership development?

As with any other area, leadership evolves. It is essential in sales as you are the pivot of the team. The source of ideas, inspiration, and innovation needs to be ever-present and available to keep things going. But this is hard without sufficient support. As a result, we have poor sales, which impacts the overall success of the sales team. When an ineffective manager leads a sales team, it can lead to 
  • Decline in sales performance: Without effective leadership, the sales process may become disorganized, resulting in inefficiencies, missed opportunities, and decreased overall sales effectiveness. Managers can take growth up or down with them.
  • Missed targets: This directly results in declining sales numbers, missed opportunities, and reduced revenue.
  • Decrease in team morale: A sales team without strong leadership can lack direction, motivation, and support, all needed to sail through challenges regularly. Ultimately, your team feels demotivated, unsupported, and undervalued.

How Effective Leadership Transforms Sales Teams?

Effective leadership in sales roles has the power to transform teams and drive their success. When sales leaders possess strong leadership skills and focus on leadership development, they create a positive and empowering environment that motivates and inspires their team members to perform at their best. An effective sales leader sets clear goals and expectations for the sales team, giving them a sense of direction and purpose. They communicate the vision, objectives, and sales goals effectively, ensuring each team member understands their role and responsibilities. Moreover, effective sales leadership fosters a culture of continuous learning and development. Sales leaders who prioritize leadership development for themselves and their team members create opportunities for growth and improvement and save their team from burning out. They invest in training, coaching, and mentoring to enhance sales skills, knowledge, and performance. By transforming sales teams through effective leadership, sales leaders can drive higher sales performance, achieve sales goals, and create a motivated and engaged sales force. Sales leadership coaching plays a crucial role in this transformation by providing guidance, support, and development opportunities.
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The Essentials of Sales Leadership Coaching

Sales leadership coaching focuses on enhancing the skills and capabilities of sales leaders to drive sales performance and achieve sales goals. It provides a structured and personalized approach to developing leadership skills, strategic sales leadership, and overall sales effectiveness. Sales coaching plays a critical role in sales leadership development. It involves working with a coach or mentor who specializes in sales leadership and provides you with guidance, support, and feedback. The coaching process focuses on improving sales skills, enhancing leadership capabilities, and developing effective sales strategies. Sales leadership coaching often includes a combination of training, one-on-one coaching sessions, and practical exercises to reinforce learning and drive behavior change. It helps you develop the necessary skills and knowledge to lead teams effectively, set clear goals, and drive sales performance.

Key Areas Where Coaching Can Make a Difference

Sales leadership coaching can significantly impact various vital areas crucial for sales managers’ success and the overall sales strategy. Here are some key areas where coaching can have a positive impact:
  • Developing practical sales skills: Sales coaching helps sales reps improve their sales skills, such as prospecting, closing deals, and handling objections.
  • Enhancing time management: Coaching can assist you in managing time effectively, prioritizing tasks, and maximizing your team’s productivity.
  • Improving sales strategy: Sales coaching guides on developing effective sales strategies, understanding customer needs, and positioning products or services.
  • Building confidence and motivation: Coaching helps sales managers build confidence, overcome self-doubt, and stay motivated to achieve their sales goals.
  • Enhancing communication and relationship-building: Sales coaching focuses on improving communication skills, active listening, and building solid relationships with your team and customers.
Sales leadership coaching in these key areas can help you perform at your best, achieve sales targets, and contribute to the organization’s overall sales strategy and success.

Identifying Your Coaching Needs as a Sales Leader

As a sales leader, it is essential to identify your coaching needs to enhance your leadership skills, develop a strategic sales plan, and improve overall sales management. Here are some key aspects to consider when identifying your coaching needs:
  • Assess your leadership skills: Reflect on your strengths and areas for improvement as a sales leader. Understand the leadership skills that are crucial for your role and identify areas where coaching can help you develop those skills. Risely can help you out here with free leadership skill assessments. 
  • Evaluate your sales plan: Review your sales plan and identify any gaps or challenges you may need coaching support to address. It can include areas such as goal-setting, sales strategies, and performance measurement.
  • Recognize the need for sales management training: Identify any specific areas of sales management that you may need training or coaching support, such as team management, performance evaluation, or sales process improvement. It will help you search for a coach who matches your needs accurately. 
By identifying your coaching needs as a sales leader, you can focus on the areas that require development and seek the necessary coaching and training to enhance your skills and drive sales performance. Without paying attention to this step, you might find solutions that don’t precisely match your problems.

Getting Started with Sales Leadership Coaching

Starting with sales leadership coaching is an important step in your journey to becoming an effective sales leader. It involves finding the right coach or mentor to provide the guidance and support you need to develop your leadership skills and achieve your sales goals. To begin, it is essential to identify your goals and objectives for sales leadership coaching. 
  • What specific areas do you want to improve? 
  • What are your long-term aspirations as a sales leader?
By clarifying your goals, you can find a coach who specializes in those areas and can help you achieve your desired outcomes. Next, research and evaluate different coaching options available to you. Look for coaches with experience and expertise in sales leadership and leadership development. Consider factors such as their coaching style, approach, and client success stories. This can help you find a coach who is the right fit for you and your unique needs. Once you have selected a coach, schedule an initial consultation to discuss your goals and expectations. This consultation will help you determine if there is a good fit. Establishing a strong rapport and trust with your coach is important, as this will foster a productive coaching relationship. During the coaching process, be open to feedback, willing to learn, and committed to implementing the insights and strategies provided by your coach. Remember that coaching is a collaborative process, and your active participation is critical to achieving the desired outcomes.

What You Need for Effective Sales Leadership Development

Effective sales leadership development requires a combination of best practices, resources, and support. Here are some key elements you need to ensure success in your sales leadership development journey:
  • Access to best practices: Read books, attend conferences, and network with other sales professionals to stay updated with the latest trends, strategies, and best practices in sales leadership.
  • Training and development programs: Participate in sales leadership training and development programs that offer comprehensive and tailored learning experiences. Look for programs that provide opportunities for hands-on practice, feedback, and ongoing support.
  • Coaching and mentoring: Engage with a sales leadership coach or mentor who can provide personalized guidance, support, and accountability. A coach or mentor can help you identify blind spots, develop your leadership skills, and offer insights and strategies to overcome challenges.
  • Create a learning environment: Foster a continuous learning and development culture within your sales team by providing resources, training opportunities, and a safe space for sharing knowledge and experiences. It will help not just you but also enable your team to shine. Plus, you’d be the best manager they ever have.
Investing in these elements creates an environment that supports and enhances your sales leadership development, leading to improved sales performance and achieving sales goals.

Finding the Right Coach for Your Sales Leadership Journey

Finding the right coach for your sales leadership journey is crucial for your success. Here are some steps you can take to find the right coach:
  • Define your needs and goals: Clarify what you hope to achieve through coaching. Determine the specific areas you want to improve and the outcomes you desire.
  • Research coaching programs and coaches: Look for coaches who specialize in sales leadership and have a proven track record of success. Consider their experience, credentials, and client testimonials.
  • Ask for recommendations: Seek recommendations from colleagues, mentors, and industry professionals who have had positive coaching experiences. They can provide valuable insights and referrals.
  • Interview potential coaches: Schedule consultation calls or meetings with potential coaches to discuss your needs and goals. Ask about their coaching approach, methodology, and success stories. It will help you determine if their coaching style aligns with your preferences and needs.
  • Check credentials and testimonials: Verify the credentials and qualifications of potential coaches. Ask for testimonials or references from their previous clients to gauge their effectiveness and impact.
  • Utilize professional networks: Reach out to professional networks such as LinkedIn to connect with coaches who specialize in sales leadership. LinkedIn can be a valuable resource for finding coaches with relevant experience and expertise.
By following these steps and conducting thorough research, you can find the right coach to guide and support you on your sales leadership journey.

Are you looking for something simpler? 

Meet Risely’s AI leadership coach, Merlin; Merlin helps people managers beat their unique challenges with tailored and actionable advice. The best part is that Merlin works in your context and schedule. So you can still learn on days the sales calls took too much time or when you don’t feel like doing a lot.  Start your free trial with Merlin here!

Role Plays with Merlin 

We know some conversations are dreadful. It hurts when you need to push your team for more, even when you know they are trying their best. Or the lousy feeling that hits when an employee becomes defensive in response to the feedback you gave to help them improve. Merlin helps people managers like you in these situations with its clever role-play mode. You can set up your situation and your team’s member’s behavior to play out dialogues before they happen. Plus, you get feedback on improving things in the next round! Check out an example below, and start your first conversation for free here.

Conclusion

Sales leadership coaching is more than just a training program; it’s a transformative experience. By going into the core competencies of effective leadership and tailoring coaching to individual needs, you can unlock a wealth of benefits for yourself and your sales team. From setting clear goals to measuring success and adjusting strategies, each step in the coaching journey propels you towards improved performance and enhanced results. Embrace the opportunity to invest in your leadership development and witness the exponential growth in your sales success. Elevate your sales leadership skills today!

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

Start your leadership coaching journey today (for free)

Check out Merlin, Risely’s AI coach for leaders, to navigate growth tailored for you.

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Healthcare Leadership Coaching: A Beginner’s Guide

Healthcare Leadership Coaching: A Beginner’s Guide

Healthcare leadership plays a crucial role in driving excellence in patient care and the overall success of the healthcare industry. However, healthcare leaders face unique challenges and pressures that can make it difficult to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the healthcare environment. This is where healthcare leadership coaching comes in. Leadership coaching is a proven method to help healthcare leaders thrive and grow professionally. In this blog, we will explore some key ways healthcare leadership coaching can help healthcare leaders. We will go into the essential role of leadership in healthcare, the unique challenges healthcare leaders face, and the impact of coaching on your healthcare leadership. 
Table of Contents

What is the Role of Leadership in Healthcare?

In the healthcare context, leadership goes beyond just managing teams and making decisions. It encompasses navigating the unique challenges and complexities of the healthcare environment while ensuring high-quality patient care. You need to possess many skills, including strategic thinking, effective communication, and the ability to inspire and motivate others. This is where leadership coaching can make a significant difference. An executive coach works with healthcare leaders like you to enhance their leadership abilities, overcome challenges, and achieve their full potential. By partnering with a coach, you can develop the skills and competencies necessary to excel in your roles and drive positive change in the healthcare industry.

The Unique Challenges Healthcare Leaders Face

Healthcare leaders face a multitude of unique challenges in their roles.
  • Healthcare leaders need to find ways to provide high-quality care while managing limited resources and meeting financial targets.
  • The healthcare industry constantly evolves, with new technologies, regulations, and healthcare models emerging. Healthcare leaders must stay abreast of these changes and adapt their strategies accordingly.
  • Burnout is a prevalent issue among healthcare professionals, including leaders. The demands of the healthcare industry, long hours, and high stress levels can take a toll on healthcare leaders’ well-being.
  • Recruiting and retaining skilled healthcare workers, addressing staff shortages, and promoting employee well-being are critical priorities for healthcare leaders.

How can Healthcare Leadership Coaching help you?

Coaching services significantly impact healthcare leadership. Healthcare leadership coaching provides a structured approach to setting goals, developing action plans, and measuring progress, ensuring that you stay focused and achieve measurable results. It saves you from getting lost in the hustle-bustle of your workplace, and instead focus on the things that matter for your career. Furthermore, healthcare leaders need to navigate complex relationships at work and build strong teams. Coaching can help you develop the emotional intelligence necessary for effective relationship-building and provide strategies for managing stress and building resilience.
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Critical Areas of Focus in Healthcare Leadership Coaching

Healthcare leadership coaching focuses on several key areas that can support your professional growth. First, coaching for healthcare leaders can help in several functional areas:
  • Building coaching skills: Healthcare leaders learn coaching techniques and tools to support the development of their teams and enhance their managerial effectiveness.
  • Setting measurable goals: Coaching helps you set clear and measurable goals, create action plans, and track progress toward achieving those goals.
  • Enhancing leadership competencies: Healthcare leadership coaching supports you in developing specific leadership competencies, such as communication, problem-solving, and strategic thinking. It goes beyond making you a solid healthcare professional.
  • Nurturing personal and professional growth: Coaching provides a supportive environment to explore your strengths and areas for development, fostering personal and professional growth.

Healthcare Leadership Skills you can Build with a Coach

Next, there are several managerial skills that healthcare leadership coaching can help you with. Let’s have a look at some of these in detail below: 

Building Effective Communication Skills

Practical communication skills are essential for healthcare leaders. Coaching can help healthcare leaders enhance their communication skills by:
  • Developing active listening skills: Coaching teaches you how to listen actively, empathize with others, and respond effectively to ensure clear and meaningful communication.
  • Improving verbal and nonverbal communication: A coach can provide feedback and guidance on your verbal and nonverbal communication, helping you convey messages effectively and build rapport with others.
  • Enhancing communication in challenging situations: Healthcare leadership coaching provides strategies for navigating difficult conversations, resolving conflicts, and building strong relationships.

Developing a Visionary Leadership Approach

Visionary leadership is crucial for driving innovation and adapting to change in the rapidly evolving healthcare environment. It is your chance to stand apart from the crowd. Healthcare leadership coaching can help you develop a visionary leadership approach by:
  • Encouraging strategic thinking: A coach can help you think beyond the immediate challenges and develop a long-term perspective, enabling you to anticipate trends and make informed decisions.
  • Inspiring and motivating others: Coaching supports healthcare leaders in developing leadership qualities that inspire and motivate their teams, creating a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
  • Encouraging creative problem-solving: A coach provides the tools and strategies to think creatively and find innovative solutions to complex problems.
  • Emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning: Coaching encourages healthcare leaders to embrace a growth mindset and proactively seek learning opportunities to stay ahead of industry trends and developments.

Promoting Team Collaboration and Morale

Team collaboration and morale are crucial for the success of healthcare organizations. Healthcare leadership coaching can help you promote collaboration and raise morale in your team by:
  • Building trust and fostering a positive work culture: Coaching supports healthcare leaders in creating an environment of trust, respect, and open communication where team members feel valued and empowered.
  • Developing effective team communication and decision-making processes: A coach can help you improve team communication, facilitate effective meetings, and encourage shared decision-making.
  • Promoting accountability and recognition: Coaching can provide healthcare leaders with strategies for promoting accountability among team members and recognizing their contributions and achievements.
  • Resolving conflicts and promoting a collaborative mindset: A coach can help you navigate conflicts and foster a collaborative mindset among team members, ensuring a harmonious and productive work environment.

Addressing Burnout and Stress Management

Burnout and stress are significant challenges in the healthcare industry, affecting healthcare leaders and their teams. According to a Mayo study, up to 62% of healthcare workers reported at least one instance of burnout as the pandemic surged. Coaching can help you address burnout and manage stress by:
  • Promoting self-care and work-life balance: Coaching encourages healthcare leaders to prioritize self-care and set boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
  • Building resilience: A coach can provide healthcare leaders with tools and strategies for building resilience, managing stress, and rebounding from setbacks.
  • Creating a supportive work environment: Healthcare leadership coaching helps you create a work environment that promotes well-being, supports work-life balance, and provides resources for stress management.
  • Offering strategies for workload management: A coach can help you develop strategies for effective workload management, prioritization, and delegation, reducing the risk of burnout.
The healthcare industry constantly evolves, presenting healthcare leaders with numerous organizational challenges and change management opportunities. Coaching can help you navigate these challenges by:
  • Supporting change management initiatives: A coach can provide healthcare leaders with strategies and tools to effectively manage change, communicate change initiatives, and engage employees in the change process.
  • Developing adaptability and flexibility: Healthcare leadership coaching helps healthcare leaders develop the mindset and skills to adapt to change and navigate uncertainty.
  • Building resilience in times of change: A coach can provide healthcare leaders with support and guidance to build resilience, manage stress, and maintain focus during periods of change.

Leadership Coaching in Healthcare: What options do you have?

Coaching for management and leadership skills comes in many shapes and sizes. As a healthcare leader, you must consider your unique challenges to pick the best option for you. Some features that you should look for include: 
  • Tailored support: Individualized coaching plans are a key component of leadership coaching in healthcare. These plans are tailored to each healthcare leader’s specific needs and goals, ensuring that the coaching experience is personalized and impactful.
  • Continuous feedback: Throughout the coaching process, the coach ideally provides ongoing support, guidance, and feedback to help the healthcare leader achieve their goals and progress towards their desired outcomes.
  • SMART goals: Goal setting is a fundamental aspect of healthcare leadership coaching in healthcare. Setting clear and measurable goals allows you to focus your efforts, track your progress, and stay motivated throughout the coaching process.
  • Monitoring progress and celebrating achievements: Regular check-ins and feedback sessions help healthcare leaders track their progress, adjust as needed, and celebrate their achievements.
Among the most popular options of coaching for healthcare leaders you can get: 
  • Leadership workshops and seminars: These are day (or two or three-day) long events focusing on specific ideas running in the industry. You can interact with peers and connect with subject matter experts who are present to share their thoughts and innovations. They are a great way to stay abreast of changes, although they may not be the full-fledged solution for all your people management challenges as a healthcare leader. 
  • Coaching and mentorship: Next, you can seek healthcare coaching or mentorship from an experienced professional. Their experience and expertise can help you navigate challenges sufficiently. However, this often gets stuck because matching schedules and working styles is a hassle. Executive coaching costs in the open market are another hurdle. 
  • AI coaching with Risely: The central issue in seeking coaching as a healthcare leader is finding the time and energy to focus on your growth. And we know it matters, yet a busy schedule grabs space quickly. That’s why Risely helps people leaders solve issues at their pace with many exciting features you can choose from, like regular nudges, daily small lessons, assessments, masterclasses, and much more – all on your device. Sounds good? Start a free trial today!

Conclusion

Healthcare leadership coaching plays a pivotal role in addressing the unique challenges faced by healthcare leaders. It enhances decision-making, promotes emotional intelligence, and fosters resilience. Individualized coaching plans, goal setting, and continuous feedback ensure personalized development. Choosing the right leadership coach is crucial for maximizing the benefits of coaching in healthcare leadership. This tailored approach not only bolsters leadership skills but also contributes to improved patient care outcomes and organizational success.

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

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What is Transformational Leadership Coaching For Managers?

What is Transformational Leadership Coaching For Managers?

Transformational leadership coaching has gained significant popularity recently as individuals and organizations seek to unlock their full potential and achieve meaningful growth. This style goes beyond traditional transactional coaching, which focuses on achieving specific goals and delves into a person’s way of being. It aims to transform you deeply, helping realize your true potential and become the best versions of you. In this blog, we will explore the concept of transformational leadership coaching and its benefits. We will discuss the evolution of transformational coaching, the key characteristics of a transformational leadership coach, and how transformational coaching can help people managers improve their leadership skills.
Table of Contents

What is Transformational Leadership Coaching?

Transformational leadership coaching is an approach to coaching that focuses on facilitating personal growth, development, and transformation in individuals. It goes beyond the traditional transactional coaching model, which primarily focuses on achieving specific goals. Instead, it aims to bring about a deeper change in a person’s way of being. A transformational coach works with you to unlock your full potential, not just in your professional lives, but also in your personal lives. They guide you through a journey of self-discovery, self-improvement, and self-actualization. There are various types of coaching, such as life coaching, executive coaching, career coaching, and relationship coaching. Transformational coaching can be applied in any of these areas, focusing on the individual’s personal growth and transformation, regardless of the specific context. Transformational leadership coaching is particularly relevant for individuals in leadership positions. It helps you develop the skills and qualities to become effective leaders who inspire and motivate teams. Transformational leaders are known for creating a positive and supportive team environment, fostering innovation and creativity, and empowering their team members to reach their full potential. Read more: Essential Guide to Effective Leadership Coaching

The Evolution of Transformational Leadership

In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards a more transformational approach in coaching and leadership development. We can attribute this shift to recognizing that personal growth and transformation are essential for individuals to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world. Transformational life coaching has gained popularity as individuals seek to navigate life’s challenges, overcome limitations, and realize their full potential. This coaching approach goes beyond goal-setting and problem-solving and focuses on deep inner work and personal transformation. It involves examining and challenging existing mindsets, patterns, and behaviors and replacing them with new, empowering ones. Transformational leadership coaching builds on this approach and applies it to leadership development. It recognizes that effective leadership requires more than just technical skills and knowledge. It requires self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire and motivate others.

Key Characteristics of a Transformational Leadership Coach

A transformational leadership coach possesses specific key characteristics that enable them to guide individuals through their transformational journey. While selecting a transformational leadership coach, you should keep these in mind:
  • Effective Communication Skills: A transformational leadership coach is skilled in active listening, asking powerful questions, and providing constructive feedback. They can also create a safe and supportive space for you to explore your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs.
  • Commitment to Personal Development: A transformational leadership coach is committed to their own personal growth and development. They constantly self-reflect, seek feedback, and continuously learn and improve their coaching skills.
  • Empathy and Compassion: A transformational leadership coach demonstrates empathy and compassion for their clients. They understand and connect with your experiences, emotions, and challenges and provide support and encouragement throughout your transformational journey.
  • Ability to Challenge and Inspire: A transformational leadership coach is not afraid to challenge their clients and push them outside their comfort zones. They help individuals break through limiting beliefs and behaviors and inspire them to embrace new possibilities and ways of being.
  • Trustworthiness and Confidentiality: A transformational leadership coach adheres to high ethical standards and maintains strict confidentiality. They create a trustworthy and non-judgmental environment where you feel safe to explore and share your deepest fears, desires, and aspirations.
These key characteristics enable a transformational leadership coach to effectively guide individuals through their personal and professional transformation, helping them unlock their full potential and achieve their desired outcomes. Read more: How Can You Choose The Best Leadership Coaching Services?
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The Science Behind Transformational Leadership Coaching

Transformational leadership coaching is grounded in psychological principles that explain why it is an effective personal and professional transformation approach. These principles provide a solid scientific foundation for understanding the impact of transformational coaching and the mechanisms through which it brings about change. One of the fundamental psychological principles underlying transformational coaching is the concept of self-actualization. According to Abraham Maslow, self-actualization is the highest level of psychological development, where individuals realize their full potential and achieve a sense of fulfillment and meaning in their lives. Transformational coaching helps you reach self-actualization by facilitating personal growth, development, and transformation. Another important psychological principle in transformational coaching is neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections throughout life. You can change thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs through intentional practice and repetition. Transformational coaching harnesses the power of neuroplasticity to help individuals create new patterns of thinking and behavior that support their desired transformation. Furthermore, transformational coaching is based on the principles of positive psychology, which focuses on individuals’ strengths, positive emotions, and well-being. Positive psychology has shown that cultivating positive emotions and leveraging strengths can improve performance and increase resilience and overall well-being. Transformational coaching helps you tap into strengths and cultivate positive emotions, leading to greater success and satisfaction in your personal and professional lives.

Where can transformational coaching help people managers?

Transformational coaching can help people managers in various areas of their professional and personal lives. Here are some key areas where transformational coaching can make a significant difference in your day:
  • Transforming Organizational Culture: Transformational coaching can help people managers create a positive and empowering organizational culture. It fosters collaboration, innovation, and a sense of purpose among your team members.
  • Building a Culture of Innovation and Creativity: Transformational coaching can support people managers in fostering a culture of innovation and creativity. It helps you inspire and empower team members to think outside the box and contribute their unique ideas and perspectives.
  • Enhancing Emotional Intelligence for Effective Leadership: Transformational coaching can help people managers develop their emotional intelligence, which is essential for effective leadership. It can improve your ability to understand and manage your team members’ emotions.
  • Leadership Reimagined: Personal Growth: Transformational coaching can support people managers in their personal growth journey. It can help you develop self-awareness, clarify values and priorities, and align your personal and professional goals.
By applying transformational coaching principles in these areas, people managers can create a positive and supportive work environment, foster innovation and creativity, and become more effective and impactful leaders.

Conclusion

In essence, transformational leadership coaching goes beyond just enhancing performance; it fosters personal growth, instills emotional intelligence, and transforms organizational culture. The amalgamation of psychological principles and innovative strategies creates a space where you can thrive. By investing in transformational coaching, people managers can cultivate a culture of creativity and innovation, ultimately leading to improved performance and lasting organizational success.

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

Enter a new world of coaching today!

Check out Merlin, Risely’s AI coach for managers, with a free trial now.

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Manager Development: What Is The Fuss About?

Manager Development: What Is The Fuss About?

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, organizations constantly seek ways to stay competitive and achieve their goals. One crucial aspect that contributes to organizational success is effective management. Managers play a vital role in leading teams, making critical decisions, and driving organizational performance. Therefore, organizations need to invest in manager development and training. But what exactly does development of managers entail, and why is it so important? In this blog, we will explore the concept of manager development, its key aspects, and its role in organizational success.
Table of Contents

What is Manager Development?

Manager development, also known as management development and training, refers to a systematic process to enhance specific management skills and competencies. It involves providing managers with the necessary tools, resources, and training to become influential leaders. It encompasses various areas, including manager leadership development, management skills enhancement, and new skill acquisition. By investing in manager development, organizations can groom effective managers with the necessary skills to drive organizational performance and success.

Why does manager development matter?

Interestingly, manager development is more than a functional exercise for L&D teams. The impact of development initiatives for managers (or the lack thereof) is directly visible around us in multiple ways. 
  • For one, the managers would be happier if the company invested actively in their growth and development. They are also likely to stick with the company longer, as LinkedIn has highlighted. 
  • Conversely, employees perceive managers without training as a major hurdle. Think of the annoying ones you must have met somewhere in your career. Team members recognize the need and impact of training among their managers as a significant factor in their overall success and performance, as SHRM has outlined. 
  • And most importantly, effective managers mean effective team processes and outstanding performance – the ultimate result that any L&D team wants. Manager development is not just about going through a series of lectures; it’s about creating a sustainable impact on your organization’s managerial practices and behaviors. 
Now that we know why manager development is essential, let’s think of when we need manager development. To help through this, we have listed a few signs identifying the need for manager development for a team. If you catch them around, investing in your managers is time.

Signs that your organization needs to rethink manager development

  • High turnover: If your organization is experiencing a high turnover rate, it may indicate that managers need further development. Effective managers play a crucial role in employee retention, and a lack of manager development can lead to dissatisfaction and turnover. Moreover, the managers could leave due to a lack of growth opportunities. 
  • Organizational behavior problems: Poor organizational behavior, such as conflicts and communication issues, can indicate the need for development initiatives. Effective managers can address these problems and create a positive work environment.
  • Business problems: If your organization faces challenges such as declining productivity, low performance, or customer complaints, it may be a sign that managers need additional development. Effective managers can address business problems and drive performance improvement.
L&D teams need to proactively identify these signs and invest in manager development to address deficiencies and improve organizational performance.

Key Aspects of Manager Development

Manager development encompasses various vital aspects that contribute to the growth and effectiveness of managers. These aspects include enhancing managerial skills, leadership development, and acquiring new skills. By focusing on these areas, L&D teams can ensure managers have the necessary competencies and capabilities to lead teams, navigate challenges, and drive organizational success. In the following sections, we will explore these critical aspects of manager development and understand their importance.

Managerial Skills Enhancement

Managerial skills enhancement is an essential aspect of manager development. Effective managers possess technical, management, and soft skills that enable them to lead and manage teams effectively. The following are the key points related to enhancing managerial skills that an L&D team must focus on:
  • Developing management skills: Manager development programs focus on equipping managers with the necessary management skills, including decision-making, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Improving technical skills: Effective managers must have a solid understanding of their field’s and industry’s technical aspects. Development programs for managers help managers enhance their technical skills to stay updated and informed.
  • Strengthening soft skills: Soft skills, such as leadership, emotional intelligence, and teamwork, are crucial for effective managers. Manager development programs focus on improving these soft skills to enable managers to build strong and collaborative teams.

Leadership Development

Leadership development plays a critical role in manager development. Effective leaders can inspire, motivate, and guide their teams toward achieving organizational goals. Several key aspects of leadership development and training can complement development of managers, such as:
  • Leadership training: Leadership development programs provide managers with the necessary training and resources to develop their leadership skills. These programs focus on strategic thinking, decision-making, and team building.
  • Developing competencies: Leadership development programs aim to develop specific competencies for effective leadership, such as communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills.
  • Fostering talent management: Leadership development programs help organizations identify and nurture talent within their managerial ranks. By investing in the development of future leaders, you ensure a sustainable leadership pipeline.

Building Organizational Agility

Building organizational agility is another critical aspect of manager development. Managers must be agile and adaptive to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, and development plans are key to building these capacities. Primarily, it works by:  
  • Addressing organizational change: Effective managers are crucial in leading teams and driving successful organizational change initiatives. These programs equip managers with the skills and competencies to navigate change and manage resistance.
  • Solving business problems: Managers need problem-solving skills to effectively identify and address business problems. Manager development programs focus on enhancing problem-solving abilities, enabling managers to improve performance and address business challenges.
  • Enhancing agility: By investing in manager development, organizations can foster an agile mindset and culture within the workforce. Agile managers can adapt quickly to new challenges, identify opportunities, and make informed decisions.
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The Role of L&D in Manager Development

Learning and development initiatives, under the purview of human resource management, are pivotal in developing managers. L&D professionals are responsible for designing and implementing programs and strategies to support the growth and development of managers. The L&D process for manager development goes as follows:

Identifying Development Needs

Identifying development needs is a crucial step in manager development. L&D teams first assess the skills and competencies required for managers to be effective. This assessment involves performance reviews, competency assessments, and feedback from peers and subordinates. Once development needs are identified, organizations can design programs to address these specific skills. Managers can drive better team performance and contribute to organizational success by addressing performance gaps and enhancing skills. Read more: Leadership Development Framework for the Future: 5 Mistakes to Avoid

Drafting Leadership Development Plans

Drafting leadership development plans is a crucial step in manager development. These plans provide a systematic process for developing leadership skills and competencies required for effective management. A few key things to keep in mind while drafting manager development plans include:
  • Aligning with organizational goals: Leadership development plans should align with organizational goals and strategic objectives. They should be designed to support the organization’s overall strategy and vision.
  • Identifying specific skills and competencies: Leadership development plans should identify the skills and competencies required for effective organizational leadership through a competency framework. These skills include communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and strategic thinking.
  • Creating a systematic process: Leadership development plans outline a systematic leadership development and training process. The plan specifies the resources, training programs, and development activities required for managers to acquire and enhance leadership skills.
  • Establishing a strategy for leadership development: Leadership development plans are strategic and form part of an organization’s talent development strategy. By drafting these plans, L&D can ensure the systematic and targeted development of leaders at all levels of the organization while also ensuring that succession planning goes well.

Different Methods of Manager Development

Manager development comes in many forms. Some cover the technical aspects, while others focus heavily on soft skills. The right manager development tools for an organization can vary depending on their needs. How many managers do you have? And what areas do they need training in? How will they learn the best? All these questions are crucial to narrowing down the right mix of manager development tools for your team. Let’s have a look at some common manager development methods that can help you out:

Knowledge Training

Knowledge training is an effective method for manager development, focusing on providing managers with the knowledge and information required to address new challenges and make informed decisions. Knowledge training as part of manager development is helpful in:
  • Addressing new challenges: Knowledge training equips managers with the knowledge and understanding to navigate new challenges and adapt to changing business landscapes.
  • Enhancing critical thinking: Knowledge training programs stimulate critical thinking skills, enabling managers to analyze problems, evaluate options, and make sound decisions.
  • Improving problem-solving abilities: Effective managers need strong problem-solving skills. Knowledge training programs help managers develop problem-solving abilities, equipping them to effectively identify and address organizational problems.

Skills Training

Skills training is another effective method for manager development, focusing on enhancing specific skills and competencies required for effective management. There are three major areas where skills training for managers can come in handy:
  • Developing soft skills: Effective managers possess strong soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. Skills training programs focus on developing these soft skills, enabling managers to build effective teams and foster employee engagement.
  • Enhancing technical skills: Depending on the industry and organizational context, managers need specific technical skills. Skills training programs provide managers with the necessary technical skills to perform their roles effectively.
  • Acquiring new skills: In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, managers must continuously acquire new skills to stay relevant. Skills training programs offer opportunities for managers to enhance their skills and competencies, preparing them for future challenges and new roles.

Innovative Training Techniques

In addition to traditional training methods, organizations can utilize innovative training techniques to enhance manager development. These techniques offer new and engaging ways to build skills and competencies. Some of the most common yet innovative ways to focus on manager development include:
  • Coaching and mentoring: Coaching and mentoring programs provide managers with one-on-one guidance and support, enabling them to enhance their skills and competencies.
  • Secondment programs: Secondment programs allow managers to temporarily work in different departments or business units, gaining exposure and experience in different areas of the organization.
  • Action learning: Action learning programs involve managers working on real-world problems and projects, allowing them to apply and develop their skills in a practical setting.
  • Simulation and gamification: Simulations and gamification provide managers with immersive and interactive experiences, enabling them to practice and develop their skills in a risk-free environment.
  • Experiential learning: Experiential learning programs, such as outdoor team-building activities and workshops, offer managers hands-on experiences that promote skill development and team collaboration.

Types of Manager Development Programs

Manager development programs come in various forms, catering to organizations’ and managers’ specific needs and requirements. 

In-House Training Programs

In-house training programs are designed and facilitated within the organization, targeting specific skills and competencies required for effective management.  In-house training programs are customized to address your organization’s specific challenges and needs, ensuring relevance and practicality. Thus, they enable managers to align their team members’ development with organizational goals and objectives, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

External Workshops and Seminars

External workshops and seminars allow managers to learn from external experts, industry leaders, and peers. Managers gain exposure to industry best practices, innovative strategies, and new trends by attending external workshops and seminars, enabling them to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to their roles. External workshops and seminars allow managers to connect and network with peers and professionals from other organizations, facilitating knowledge sharing and creating valuable professional relationships.

Online Learning Platforms

Online learning platforms have gained traction as practical tools for manager development. These platforms offer flexibility, accessibility, and a wide range of resources. The best part is that online learning platforms allow managers to conveniently access training and development resources, eliminating geographical and scheduling constraints. Through such mediums, managers access many resources, such as e-learning courses, videos, webinars, and interactive modules, enabling them to engage in self-paced learning and development.

Choosing the Right Candidates for Manager Development

Choosing suitable candidates for manager development is crucial to ensure effective development programs and organizational success. 

Assessing Managerial Potential

Assessing managerial potential helps you identify managers with the necessary competencies and capabilities for success but still need an extra nudge to reach their potential. You can determine managers’ competencies through skill assessments, performance reviews and feedback sessions, and contributions to daily workflows.

Evaluating Willingness to Learn

In addition to assessing competencies, evaluating managers’ willingness to learn is equally vital for effective manager development. Managers with a growth mindset are more open to learning and development. You should determine managers’ attitudes toward ongoing learning and improvement to gauge their willingness to learn and grow. Moreover, motivation plays a crucial role in manager development. It helps ensure that they are enthusiastic and proactive in their development journey.

Measuring the Success of Manager Development Programs

Measuring the success of manager development programs is crucial to evaluate their effectiveness and impact. However, L&D teams often fall into the trap of vanity metrics such as completion rates and end-term quizzes, where scores do not correlate very well with impact. Hence, it’s essential to pick a set of metrics that reflect the impact on areas that matter to your stakeholders in the L&D process.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics are an effective way to measure the success of manager development programs. The following points highlight the importance of performance metrics:
  • Measuring performance improvement: Performance metrics, such as key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance appraisals, enable you to assess managers’ performance and improvement over time.
  • Setting benchmarks: You can set performance benchmarks and goals for managers, comparing their actual performance with the desired performance, providing a precise measure of development program effectiveness.
  • Evaluating organizational performance: Effective manager development programs contribute to organizational performance improvement. By evaluating organizational performance metrics, such as productivity, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction, you can assess the impact of manager development on overall organizational outcomes.

Feedback from Managers

Feedback from managers is a valuable source of information when measuring the success of manager development programs. It helps identify areas of improvement and further development needs. Gathering feedback allows organizations to assess managers’ satisfaction and engagement with development programs. Positive feedback indicates the program’s effectiveness, while constructive feedback helps make necessary improvements. Managers can provide suggestions and recommendations for improving development programs based on experience and perspective, ensuring program relevance and effectiveness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, manager development plays a crucial role in the success of organizations. It is essential for managers to continuously enhance their skills and develop leadership qualities to navigate through the challenges of the dynamic business environment. Investing in manager development programs can foster a culture of learning and growth, leading to improved employee engagement, increased productivity, and better overall organizational performance. 

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

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4 Steps to Conduct a Solid Leadership Workshop [2024 Guide]

4 Steps to Conduct a Solid Leadership Workshop [2024 Guide]

Leadership is a crucial aspect of any successful organization. Effective leadership is essential for leading teams, making critical decisions, and driving positive change. While some individuals possess natural leadership qualities, leadership skills can also be learned and developed through training and workshops. In this blog, we will explore ten valuable tips to conduct a solid leadership workshop. Whether you are a team leader, potential leader, or a team member looking to enhance your leadership skills, these tips will provide a comprehensive guide to organizing a successful leadership workshop. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of leadership development together.
Table of Contents

What are Leadership Workshops?

Leadership workshops are carefully designed programs to develop effective leaders within a team or organization. These workshops provide a platform for personal development and growth, enhancing leadership skills, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Participating in leadership workshop activities, individuals gain a deeper understanding of different leadership styles, concepts, and best practices. Through interactive exercises, role-playing, and discussions, leadership workshops create a conducive environment for learning, practicing, and honing essential leadership skills.

The Purpose of Leadership Workshops

The purpose of leadership workshops is multifaceted. For coaches, it’s important to understand why people are attending an event to ensure their satisfaction.
  • Identify high potential employees: Firstly, these workshops aim to identify potential leaders within a team and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their leadership roles. By focusing on leadership development, workshops equip individuals with the tools and strategies to become effective leaders who inspire, motivate, and guide their teams toward success.
  • Foster essential management skills: Leadership workshops also play a vital role in fostering effective communication, team building, and problem-solving skills. Communication skills are essential for leaders to clearly convey their vision, goals, and expectations while actively listening to their team members’ ideas and concerns. Team building activities within leadership workshops help cultivate trust, respect, and collaboration, enabling team members to work together cohesively towards common goals.
  • Build leadership capacities: Leadership workshop activities also focus on fostering decision-making and problem-solving abilities. These skills are essential for leaders to evaluate situations, make informed choices, and find effective solutions to complex problems. Leaders hone their decision-making skills and expand their problem-solving capabilities by participating in activities such as scavenger hunts, time management exercises, and critical thinking games.
Overall, leadership workshops serve as a platform for individuals to develop and enhance their leadership skills, instilling qualities necessary for effective leadership, including communication, team building, conflict resolution, decision-making, and problem-solving.

Who Can Benefit from Leadership Workshops?

Leadership workshops benefit a wide range of individuals, including team members, potential leaders, and new leaders.
For team members, leadership workshops provide personal development and growth opportunities. These individuals may not currently hold a leadership role but aspire to do so in the future. By participating in leadership workshop activities, team members can enhance their leadership skills, better understand different leadership styles, and learn effective communication and problem-solving techniques. It enables them to contribute more effectively to their teams and prepares them for future leadership roles. On the other hand, potential leaders can greatly benefit from leadership workshops as they provide a structured approach to leadership development. These individuals may already exhibit leadership qualities, but a workshop helps them refine their skills, explore different leadership styles, and understand their leadership philosophy. Leadership training activities empower potential leaders to lead confidently, inspire others, and positively impact their organizations. New leaders, whether recently promoted or taking on leadership roles for the first time, can find leadership workshops invaluable. These workshops provide them with essential leadership skills, guidance, and best practices to navigate their new roles successfully. New managers and leaders can learn effective communication strategies, team-building techniques, and problem-solving approaches that will enable them to lead their teams effectively, building a solid foundation for their leadership journey.

5 Key Principles to Cover in a Leadership Workshop

Building Trust and Teamwork

Enhancing team cohesion and morale is vital for successful leaders. Constructive feedback fosters trust within a team, leading to a more cohesive unit. Small group activities are an effective way to promote a common goal and foster team bonding. Challenging exercises such as the deserted island activity can push individuals to work together effectively, emphasizing the most essential leadership skills. Integrating the best leadership development activities into leadership workshops is essential for nurturing great leaders.

Encouraging Effective Communication

Improving effective communication through training activities like role-playing is crucial. Building communication skills with active listening activities is an effective way to foster a positive team environment. Developing communication skills through leadership workshop activities is essential for great leaders. Besides, leadership training activities play a significant role in enhancing communication skills within the team.

Promoting Conflict Resolution Skills

Practicing conflict resolution skills through role-playing activities encourages problem-solving in uncomfortable situations. These activities aim to constructively resolve conflicts within a team, instilling practical problem-solving skills in leaders. Furthermore, effective leadership training promotes the positive aspects of conflict resolution, emphasizing the importance of resolving conflicts empathetically and constructively.

Fostering Decision-making and Problem-solving Abilities

Promoting effective problem-solving and decision-making is fundamental in leadership development activities. Tasks like scavenger hunts cultivate decision-making skills, while challenges like the marshmallow challenge enhance critical thinking. It’s crucial to include time management activities to foster efficient problem-solving and encourage participants to think innovatively. Leadership workshop activities aim to nurture problem-solving abilities within a team, promoting a mindset of creativity and adaptability. These activities play a significant role in shaping the best leaders by cultivating the most essential leadership skills.

Leading with Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

Understanding and managing emotions is integral to leading with empathy and emotional intelligence. Developing empathy and understanding others’ perspectives are essential for creating good leaders. A successful leader values critical leadership skills and effectively navigates problem-solving with emotional intelligence. They understand that empathy and rationality go hand in hand, where empathy is the right hand, and rationality is the left. Great leaders use an effective way of giving and receiving feedback and know that being a good leader means leading with empathy.

How to Conduct a Successful Leadership Workshop?

Setting the stage for a successful leadership workshop involves meticulous preparation and planning. Establishing clear objectives and expectations is essential, ensuring that participants are fully aware of the purpose and desired outcomes. By incorporating these elements, facilitators can lay the groundwork for a productive and enriching leadership workshop.

Preparation and Planning for the Workshop

Meticulous planning and time management are essential for practical leadership workshop ideas. Before going ahead with the workshop, think of the most in-demand ideas and topics for workshops on leadership development. You can also look into what problems leaders are facing and then design a workshop around it. Thriving leader concepts center around a focus on the values of a leader and the goals of leadership development.

Setting Clear Goals and Expectations

To ensure the workshop’s success, it is essential to outline clear and achievable goals for all participants. It involves clearly communicating the workshop’s purpose and expected outcomes and setting specific, measurable, and time-bound objectives. Additionally, it is vital to ensure that each participant understands their role and expectations within the workshop. Establishing a shared vision and understanding of the workshop’s goals will ultimately lead to a more effective and engaging experience for everyone involved.

Creating an Engaging and Interactive Environment

To maintain an engaging and interactive environment:
  • Utilize various interactive activities to keep participants engaged.
  • Incorporate dynamic group discussions and team-building exercises to foster a positive and inclusive atmosphere, encouraging active participation.
  • Enhance engagement through the use of multimedia, role-playing, and group activities. It will create a supportive and collaborative space for effective learning and interaction, providing an effective way to develop leadership skills.
  • Foster an environment where everyone in the workshop feels like they are part of a team, with everyone supporting and helping each other grow as leaders.

Using Real-life Case Studies and Scenarios

Analyzing relevant scenarios to illustrate leadership concepts and presenting real-life leadership challenges for practical learning are effective ways to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving. Incorporating industry-specific case studies makes learning more relatable, and role-playing to simulate real-life leadership situations can enhance the development of essential leadership skills. Encouraging participants to apply critical thinking skills to solve real-world problems is vital to becoming a successful leader.
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Leadership Workshop Activities and Exercises

Engaging in leadership development activities plays a vital role in nurturing great leaders. Problem-solving exercises are an effective way to enhance the skills of a good leader. These activities cater to various participants, from young persons in middle school to corporate teams, making them suitable for different groups.

‘Dotmocracy’ for Better Decision Making

Dotmocracy is an effective decision-making method involving participants using dot stickers to indicate their preferences. It can be used in a leadership workshop to improve decision-making by engaging the whole group and ensuring everyone’s opinion is heard. Facilitating a successful Dotmocracy session involves setting clear guidelines, providing options for participants to vote on, and creating a supportive environment. Successful examples include using Dotmocracy to prioritize leadership development activities and make team initiative decisions.

‘Roles in a Meeting’ for Personal Development

Identifying the purpose and goals of the workshop in advance ensures clarity and direction. Selecting the right facilitator with experience in leadership development is crucial for a successful outcome. Tailoring the content to the target audience’s needs enhances engagement and relevance. Choosing an appropriate venue and planning interactive activities promote active learning. Encouraging open communication and discussion among participants fosters a conducive learning environment.

‘Marshmallow Challenge’ for Team Building

Team building activities like the ‘Marshmallow Challenge’ are a fun and effective way to foster collaboration and problem-solving skills. The activity encourages effective communication and teamwork by dividing participants into teams and providing them with materials. Setting a time limit and rules adds an element of challenge, pushing participants to think creatively and work efficiently. After the activity, debriefing and discussing key takeaways reinforce the metaphor for leadership and teamwork, making it an essential tool for developing the essential leadership skills in a whole group.

‘Active Listening’ for Improving Communication

Improving communication through active listening is essential for building trust and fostering strong relationships within a team. Maintaining eye contact and open body language are effective ways to ensure your team members feel heard and understood. Active listening also involves empathizing with others and understanding their perspectives, essential leadership skills for great leaders. By incorporating active listening exercises into leadership workshops, you can create an engaging and interactive environment that encourages the development of good leaders and problem-solving abilities.

‘What, So What, Now What?’ for Resolving Conflicts

Resolving conflicts in leadership workshops involves using the ‘What, So What, Now What’ framework. It helps identify the issue causing conflict (‘What’), understand its impact (‘So What’), and find a solution (‘Now What’). This approach ensures effective conflict resolution during workshops.

Mistakes to Avoid When Conducting a Leadership Workshop

Avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach is crucial when conducting a leadership workshop. Preventing an overload of information will ensure effective learning and retention. Addressing time and resource constraints is vital for the success of the workshop.

Avoiding One-size-fits-all Approach

Catering to diverse leadership styles with various leadership development activities is an effective way to nurture great leaders. Customizing training activities according to individual leadership roles fosters successful leaders and their teams. Different team-building activities ensure a tailored learning experience, recognizing and encouraging team cohesion among different leadership qualities. Adapting communication styles to different leadership approaches is essential for promoting effective leadership within the entire group.

Preventing Overload of Information

Enhancing learning retention can be achieved by breaking leadership training activities into smaller groups. Managing information overload becomes easier when time management activities are incorporated, fostering problem-solving skills to handle various issues practically. Preventing cognitive overload is possible by utilizing different leadership development activities, and promoting effective communication skills is facilitated through engaging in active listening activities. These strategies contribute to preventing the overload of information, ensuring that leaders can absorb and apply the knowledge effectively.

Time and resource constraints are genuine

Amidst the demands of leadership workshops, acknowledging time and resource constraints is crucial. Tailoring leadership training activities to fit these limitations is essential for their success. Practical time management activities can address and alleviate workshop time constraints, ensuring maximum efficiency. Furthermore, adapting team-building activities to suit time constraints can significantly enhance the overall effectiveness of the workshop. Leveraging leadership training activities that accommodate small groups can maximize resource utilization, making the most available resources. Read more: Finding The Missing Pieces: What Makes Leadership Training Successful

How do you evaluate the effectiveness of leadership workshops?

The effectiveness of leadership workshops can be assessed through
  • participant feedback
  • measuring impact on team cohesion
  • gauging skill development
  • evaluating individual leadership growth
Analyzing the application of new concepts post-workshop also helps determine effectiveness. L&D leaders can check out the detailed guide to measuring training effectiveness at work here: 4 Key Metrics for Measuring Training Effectiveness with A Questionnaire

Conclusion

In conclusion, a solid leadership workshop is essential for developing effective leaders. By focusing on principles such as building trust, encouraging communication, promoting conflict resolution, and fostering decision-making skills, you can create a workshop that empowers individuals to become better leaders. Remember to prepare and plan the workshop, set clear goals and expectations, and develop an engaging and interactive environment. Tailoring leadership development activities for different groups, leading with empathy and emotional intelligence, and understanding the role of feedback is also crucial.

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

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Leadership Development Framework for the Future: 5 Mistakes to Avoid

Leadership Development Framework for the Future: 5 Mistakes to Avoid

No organization wants to be scarce on leadership. While each one is striving for the best leadership practices and performance, there remains considerable confusion about what it should look like. After all, “ideal leadership” can rarely hold a static definition. A leader needs to be adept at multiple domains and industry-specific focus areas. To make things more complicated, leadership development takes on many paths. There’s no set or best way out, and different teams adopt different routes. For L&D leaders, we can narrow down the issue to a couple of questions: 
  • What do we mean by leadership?
  • How do we develop this leadership?
The answer to both these questions lies in an effective leadership development framework that not only defines but also puts in place the actions needed to achieve your goals. Let’s understand leadership development frameworks and how you can build one. What’s more? We will also discuss the most common mistakes you need to avoid!
Table of Contents

What is a leadership development framework?

A leadership development framework is a structured and systematic tool for developing leadership skills and individual competencies. It serves as a guide or blueprint for organizations to identify, nurture, and set the leadership potential of their employees. The framework typically outlines a series of steps, processes, and activities designed to foster leadership growth at various levels within an organization. It derives objectives from understanding good leadership and what components you consider necessary.  Leadership development frameworks are the foremost tools among L&D professionals to ensure manager growth and development. While providing a broad framework for long-term development, it should be able to help managers solve the issues that arise every day, like handling team conflicts smoothly and balancing delegation. Ideal leadership development frameworks are adaptable and ensure that progress continues although the situation changes – 
  • Managers are often at different levels of growth and functions. Their needs are, thus, varied and context-dependent. 
  • The organization is often at different stages of maturity. The notion of leadership and available tools can change accordingly.

Let’s look at some leadership development framework examples to know more

  • Competency-Based Framework: Identifies and develops specific competencies deemed essential for leadership success within the organization.
  • Transformational Leadership Framework: Emphasizes inspiring and motivating followers to achieve their full potential and exceed expectations.
  • Leadership Pipeline Model: Maps out the leadership journey from individual contributor to executive roles, emphasizing the transition points and skills required at each stage.
  • Cohort-Based Leadership Programs: Brings together a group of leaders who progress through a development program together, fostering peer learning and collaboration.
  • Cultural Leadership Framework: Incorporates cultural values and norms into leadership development, aligning leadership practices with the organization’s culture.

Why does your organization need a leadership development framework?

Picture this: There are some new managers on your team. Now that there isn’t a single point of reference, leadership varies. 

One manager believes in being assertive. Their team often lacks clarity because they can hardly ask questions and make do with whatever information the manager provides them. On the other side of the table, the manager juggles too much. They find it hard to delegate things and end up doing a lot, often a bit too much themselves. 

Another manager takes a democratic approach to things. Every decision goes on the table with a brainstorming session to follow it. Sometimes, things go alright. But when they don’t, no one is held accountable because everyone made the decision. Some team members feel that their voices are not heard, while others are tired of meetings that could have been emails. 

In the middle of this chaos, the meaning of leadership is lost. For every individual, it means something different. If you were to manage this situation, how would you go about it? Let’s try to put a leadership development framework in place:  First things first, the leadership development framework defines leadership for your team. The leadership philosophy typically comes from the founding team or the senior brood of leaders, codified into behaviors and actions for the organization to aspire for. In this instance, the organization believes in a purposive leadership style – an adaptable route focusing on goals. So, it urges the managers to change ways of doing things as per the situation instead of sticking to their comfort zone. A set definition gives clarity on what to do. Second, the leadership development framework prepares managers before putting them on the field. It is evident in the case of both managers that they did not receive adequate training. As a result, they depend on their management style and know-how to work things around. A framework for leadership development would curb this by identifying and grooming potential leaders within the organization. It creates a pipeline of people ready to jump to the next level and reduces risks during leadership transitions.  Third, leadership development frameworks improve performance across the board. An effective leadership development framework ensures managers are familiar with the essential skills and deal with challenges well. It helps create an incredible culture that maximizes engagement and retention. Such alignment across the team translates into a competitive edge. Lastly, leadership development frameworks enhance manager effectiveness and retention. A manager’s performance is often the key to results for their team. As per SHRM, 57% employees believe that training managers could result in improvement across the board. By not doing this, organizations lose potential. Providing opportunities for leadership development also demonstrates a commitment to employee growth and can contribute to higher levels of job satisfaction and engagement. 
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What does a good leadership development framework look like?

Before jumping on to a list of what to include in your leadership development framework, let’s build some conceptual clarity: what should you think of while shaping up your organization’s leadership development framework?

Diving deep in context 

Your approach to leadership can vary based on where you are. You might need your team to suggest ideas for a creative decision and then narrow down on the best option. On the other hand, an organization facing stiff and sudden competition would need to focus on a quick and data-driven approach to decision-making. These differences are evident in your organization’s leadership philosophy and trickle down in your leadership development framework.

Made for your needs 

A framework to develop leaders in your organization should take care of your circumstances. That includes thinking of where you operate, your most common challenges, your vision, how many people the typical manager is dealing with, and what resources you have. Without this basic question-and-answer exercise, you risk inconsistent ideas taking over leadership development.

Adaptable, accessible, and scalable for many use cases 

Organizations evolve, and people change, and so does the framework. Within your team, not all managers will have the same set of cookie-cutter challenges. Instead, problems will differ, and so will the learning styles. The best mediums to help these people out cannot be one-size-fits-all. Thus, a leadership development framework needs to be adaptable. Accessibility is another concern to ensure such resources reach everyone in your organization. Frequently, individuals from historically marginalized identities or those handling multiple responsibilities are unable to avail of such programs. Moreover, as your organization grows, you need to consider maintaining scale consistency. Your framework should be able to expand to include more people while keeping the basic tenets the same.  

Aligns with long-term goals

A leadership development framework is an interesting tool in the sense that it incorporates both long-term and short-term plans. For L&D professionals, ensuring that the leadership development framework aligns well with the organization’s long-term objectives, including the cultural and functional aspects, is crucial. At the same time, it should supplement succession planning and train a new level of leaders to take charge as another leaves. While doing this, the framework should enable managers to solve regular and recurrent team challenges.

Key Components of a Leadership Development Framework

An effective leadership development framework hinges on three key components: 

Competency framework

A competency framework is a structured set of competencies or skills, knowledge, and behaviors required for effective performance in an organization’s particular role or job. These frameworks guide identifying, assessing, and developing the capabilities individuals need to excel in their positions. Competencies can encompass technical skills, interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, and other attributes contributing to a specific role’s success. 

Assessment and evaluation tools 

Assessment and evaluation tools refer to instruments and methodologies used to measure and analyze various aspects of an individual’s performance, skills, and competencies. These tools are essential for gauging the effectiveness of training programs, identifying areas for improvement, and making informed decisions about talent development.
  • 360-Degree Feedback Surveys: Collecting feedback from multiple sources, such as peers, subordinates, and supervisors, to provide a comprehensive view of an individual’s performance.
  • Performance Appraisals: Formal reviews conducted by supervisors to assess an employee’s achievements, strengths, and areas for development.
  • Skills Assessments: Evaluating a person’s proficiency in specific technical or soft skills relevant to their role.
  • Psychometric Tests: Assessments designed to measure cognitive abilities, personality traits, and other psychological factors.
  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Quantifiable metrics measure an individual’s performance against specific objectives and goals.

Leadership development plans for individuals/groups 

Leadership development plans are personalized strategies designed to enhance the leadership skills, knowledge, and effectiveness of individuals or groups within an organization. These plans typically involve a systematic approach to identifying development needs, setting goals, and implementing targeted activities.
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How can you build a leadership development framework?

Let’s break down the creation of the Leadership Development Framework into its planning, action, and after-stages to understand it better. 

The Planning Stage: Crafting the Foundation

  • Define Organizational Leadership Criteria: Identify the unique characteristics and competencies that define effective leadership within your organization. Collaborate with key stakeholders, including HR, executives, and department heads, to understand organizational priorities. At this point, a few questions that you might want to answer include: 
  • What does good leadership look like in your organization?
  • What skills and competencies contribute to good leadership? 
  • What are your challenges and context of operation?
  • What do your participants think about leadership development programs? 
Beyond the questions, a few key steps to take before kickstarting a leadership development framework include: 
  • Assess Existing Leadership Skills: Conduct assessments or surveys to understand the current leadership landscape. Identify gaps and areas for improvement in the skills and competencies of existing managers.
  • Understand Preferred Learning Modes: Analyze the most effective and preferred learning modes for your managers. Consider workshops, coaching, e-learning, or a combination based on individual preferences.
  • Context and Challenges Analysis: Evaluate the organizational context, challenges, and external factors that may influence leadership development. Consider budget constraints, time limitations, and any specific challenges unique to your industry or company.
  • Gather Participant Feedback: Seek input from potential participants to understand their expectations and preferences. Use surveys or focus groups to capture insights and understand the mediums most likely to deliver results. 

The Action Stage: Building the Framework

  • Prepare Building Blocks: Define the core elements of your leadership development program. It means selecting the skills and improvement areas you will work on. Based on this, you can include training modules or components addressing identified competencies.
  • External vs. Internal Resources: Determine the balance between utilizing external and internal expertise. Some resources might be available in-house, but some areas are best covered with subject matter experts – so L&D professionals should look to balance both and ensure quality. 
  • Flow of Progress: Outline the sequential flow of the leadership development program. Ensuring a logical progression helps in alignment with organizational goals.
  • Track Engagement and People Factors: Establish metrics to track engagement and participation as the program progresses. Consider factors like motivation, collaboration, and communication skills, which can tell how your employees have received the framework. 

The After Stage: Measuring Effectiveness and Feedback

  • Measuring Effectiveness: Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of the leadership development program. These KPIs should not be restricted to the functional areas alone; make sure that you create an all-around criteria that tracks essential elements like improved leadership competencies, team performance, and employee satisfaction.
  • Seeking and Incorporating Feedback: In the end, remember that we may not get everything right initially. And that’s perfectly fine. The best way to ensure your leadership development framework keeps evolving and growing is to incorporate the feedback of the people who will be a part of it. In addition to the feedback from the top-level stakeholders, implement a feedback mechanism to gather participant insights.
  • Refining the framework: Use this feedback to refine and enhance future iterations of the leadership development framework. Remember that the in-demand leadership skills, your organizational context, and the level of maturity of the leaders you are working with also change. Hence, some evolution is needed as the framework goes through many rounds.

5 Leadership Development Framework Mistakes That You Must Avoid

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Value of the Leadership Development Industry
Yet, impact remains a question mark. Here’s why –

Ignoring the context of people and your organization 

Again and again, we have noted that not all managerial problems are made alike. Hence, the solutions to these problems must also be unique. Yet, most organizations stick to training not tailored to their needs. Sitting in a training session that does not resonate with you and instead keeps you up when you could be doing something else does not help – it only makes the employees even more disinterested. Overlooking the importance of aligning leadership development initiatives with the organizational culture leads to specific contextual challenges. As a result, only about 20% of the skills or knowledge taught in leadership training programs is transferred into new leadership habits, even when leadership development remains among the most highly invested areas within L&D for organizations.

Isolating Leadership Development from Daily Work

When leadership development is isolated, leaders struggle to apply newly acquired skills in real-world scenarios. There’s a risk of a disconnect between theoretical knowledge gained in training sessions and the practical demands of their roles.  Underestimating the value of peer-to-peer learning and collaboration in leadership development adds to this disconnect. It leads to a lack of immediate relevance and applicability, hindering the effectiveness of the development efforts. Not holding managers and leaders accountable for their development and the development of their team members also contributes to this.

Not planning for every type of leader in your organization

When asked about leadership development, 83% of organizations agreed it is essential at every level. However, only 5% have fully implemented development at all levels. Oftentimes, frontline and mid-level managers do not receive adequate attention and support. While it may seem unnecessary at first glance, the opposite is quite the case because these managers are the ones who deal with most employees at a very close level. This results in leadership gaps and succession risks when the top layer of executives leaves. In addition, leadership development frameworks often do not account for the diverse needs of people from marginalized backgrounds. As they may not be able to put in extra hours or take up expensive programs, leadership development frameworks have an exclusionary nature.

💡 For every $10 spent on senior leaders, only $1 is spent on frontline leaders.

Source: Inside HR

Lack of Measurement and Evaluation

After so much furor, nothing happens. Evaluation of leadership development programs is inconsistent. It starts and ends with learner feedback for 77% of programs, and 73% of them take completion statistics. Only 50% collect information on how learning points have been understood. Dropping further, only 31% collect data from learners on how they have applied their learning.  As a result, much of the effort cannot be tracked, and the scope for progress and improvements is lost over time. Leadership development requires a top-down commitment. Lack of involvement from senior leaders may result in a lack of organizational buy-in, reducing the program’s overall effectiveness.

Failure to Adapt to Changing Needs

Failure to adapt to changing needs in leadership development occurs when organizations maintain a static or inflexible approach to their leadership programs. It happens when you stick to outdated content, ignore emerging leadership trends, or overlook the organization’s evolving needs. For L&D professionals of the 21st century, it is essential to keep track of the changes around them – how much will AI impact your managers and the workplace? What tech do your managers need to know? How can your managers cope with the global landscape better? – all of these need to be thought about and put into action. Read more: Finding The Missing Pieces: What Makes Leadership Training Successful

Wrapping Up

A leadership development framework serves as a strategic roadmap for cultivating and enhancing organizational leadership skills. In a scenario where leadership styles vary and individual managers struggle with distinct challenges, a thoughtful framework becomes the beacon that defines leadership for the entire team. The impact extends beyond individual performance, influencing team dynamics and organizational culture and, ultimately, contributing to a competitive edge. However, some mistakes hinder the effectiveness of leadership development initiatives. In essence, a well-crafted leadership development framework is not just a tool but a commitment to continuous improvement, aligning with the organization’s long-term goals and ensuring leadership excellence at every level. Risely, the manager’s buddy on the path of success understands this commitment and goes above and beyond to help your management professionals excel. With many exciting features, including daily nudges, an AI coach named Merlin, and toolkits and assessments to empower managers every day, Risely is the beloved guiding hand of 9 out of 10 managers. Join a new paradigm of leadership development for your team today with a free 14-day trial!

Deeksha Sharma

Deeksha, with a solid educational background in human resources, bridges the gap between your goals and you with valuable insights and strategies within leadership development. Her unique perspectives, powered by voracious reading, lead to thoughtful pieces that tie conventional know-how and innovative approaches together to enable success for management professionals.

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