Building Leaders: Becoming a Strong Leader

Building Leaders: Becoming a Strong Leader Training Outline

Module 1: Leadership Foundations & Self-Awareness

What Makes a Leader Worth Following

• Leadership vs. management: understanding the real difference
• The myth of the "natural born leader"
• Different leadership styles and when to use them
• Why authority alone doesn't make you a leader

Knowing Yourself as a Leader

• Identifying your leadership strengths and blind spots
• Understanding your communication style and its impact
• Recognizing your triggers and emotional patterns
• Building self-awareness without becoming self-obsessed

Developing Your Leadership Philosophy

• Defining your core values and how they guide decisions
• Creating your personal leadership mission
• Understanding what motivates you to lead
• Aligning your leadership approach with your authentic self

Module 2: Essential Leadership Skills

Communication That Inspires and Informs

• Speaking with clarity and conviction
• Active listening that makes people feel heard
• Giving feedback that actually improves performance
• Having difficult conversations without destroying relationships

Decision-Making Under Pressure

• Gathering the right information without analysis paralysis
• Making decisions with incomplete information
• Involving others in decisions without losing accountability
• Learning from mistakes without beating yourself up

Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

• Reading the room and understanding team dynamics
• Managing your own emotions when things get stressful
• Helping others through change and uncertainty
• Building psychological safety within your team

Module 3: Building and Leading Teams

Creating High-Performing Teams

• Hiring and onboarding for cultural fit and performance
• Setting clear expectations and accountability measures
• Fostering collaboration without micromanaging
• Handling team conflicts before they explode

Motivating and Developing People

• Understanding what drives different team members
• Providing growth opportunities that matter
• Coaching skills that help people improve
• Recognizing and rewarding in ways that motivate

Leading Through Change

• Communicating change in ways that reduce resistance
• Helping team members adapt to new situations
• Maintaining team morale during difficult transitions
• Leading by example when the path forward is unclear

Module 4: Leading Organizations and Driving Results

Strategic Thinking and Vision

• Developing a compelling vision people want to follow
• Thinking beyond day-to-day operations
• Balancing long-term goals with short-term pressures
• Communicating strategy in ways everyone understands

Building Culture and Influence

• Shaping organizational culture through daily actions
• Influencing without formal authority
• Building trust and credibility over time
• Creating an environment where people do their best work

Leading Up and Across

• Managing your relationship with your own boss
• Influencing peers and other departments
• Representing your team effectively to senior leadership
• Building alliances and partnerships within the organization

Module 5: Advanced Leadership Challenges

Crisis Leadership

• Making tough decisions when stakes are high
• Communicating during uncertain times
• Maintaining team cohesion under pressure
• Learning and adapting quickly when plans fail

Leading Diverse and Remote Teams

• Understanding and leveraging different perspectives
• Building connection and culture in virtual environments
• Adapting your leadership style for different generations
• Creating inclusion that goes beyond just diversity

Continuous Leadership Development

• Seeking feedback and acting on it
• Learning from other leaders and leadership failures
• Staying current with leadership best practices
• Building your own support network of mentors and peers

Hands-On Components Throughout:

• Leadership scenario simulations and role-playing
• 360-degree feedback collection and analysis
• Personal leadership development planning
• Peer coaching and accountability partnerships

Assessment & Progress Tracking:

• Leadership competency assessments
• Team feedback and performance metrics
• Personal leadership goal tracking
• Real-world leadership challenge completion

What You'll Walk Away With:

• Clear understanding of your leadership style and approach
• Practical skills for managing people and driving results
• Confidence to lead in challenging situations
• Systems for ongoing leadership development
• A network of fellow leaders for support and learning

Advanced Optional Topics:

• Executive presence and boardroom leadership
• Leading organizational transformation
• Succession planning and developing future leaders
• Leading in times of rapid technological change

Resource Library:

• Leadership assessment tools and surveys
• Communication templates for difficult conversations
• Team meeting and one-on-one frameworks
• Crisis leadership playbooks and checklists

Common Leadership Challenges Addressed:

• Transitioning from individual contributor to leader
• Leading former peers
• Dealing with underperforming team members
• Balancing competing priorities and stakeholder demands
• Maintaining work-life balance as a leader

Note: This program is designed for new and emerging leaders as well as experienced leaders looking to strengthen their skills. Emphasis on practical application and real-world leadership scenarios. Includes both self-leadership and team leadership components.