Strategic Leadership

Course overview

Why this course is essential for your career development

The leader of today has greater challenges than ever before in terms of unlocking human potential in their organisation and delivering results. This programme will help you achieve those aims and help you initiate and manage change more effectively. In particular, it will help you to:

• Develop an effective strategy to achieve your business goals
• Understand the role of emotional intelligence in leadership
• Take away a practical leadership tool-kit
• Develop a more dynamic approach through enhanced strategic creativity
• Broaden your understanding of the corporate culture to increase your influence within it
• Improve your persuasion and influencing skills to achieve your strategic goals
• Learn the key functions of strategic leadership

In today’s world, one of the main aims of the leader is to develop the capability of the organisation to handle change and the challenges of the future even if those challenges have yet to be discovered. Leading in the organisational setting is becoming increasingly difficult because of the increase in regulation in all sectors and the risk of litigation. All organisations need leaders who can handle these challenges effectively, in particular the complexities of organisational life. At the same time, people who feel they are led effectively from the top find it easier to cope with and perform under higher pressure levels and therefore achieve the ultimate business goals

Who should attend?

This programme has been specifically designed for senior managers and those middle managers who are on the fast track to senior positions. It is suitable for both public and private sector individuals and all senior managers, executives and directors who understand the benefits both personally and professionally of developing strategic leadership skills.

Practical training methods

The course leader uses a broad range of learning techniques including short input sessions, individual development exercises, group work and case studies to provide a strong mix between practical training and giving a sound foundation of strategic leadership theory. The course provides you with a unique opportunity to put into practice what you have learnt and benefit from the observations and perceptions of the other course members.

Programme - Day 1

The programme-Day one

Introduction and objectives

The need for strategic leadership

• The roots of leadership
• How thought on leadership has developed
• Current perceptions on strategic leadership

The leadership/management debate

• People and process issues
• The integrated approach to deliver results

Levels of leadership

• The capabilities required at the strategic level
• The difference between strategic leadership and strategy

Qualities and capabilities of strategic leaders

• Illustration through case studies
• Review of strategic capability

Developing specific leadership qualities

• A review of strategic capability using case study examples
• Developing an approach to leadership
• Reviewing the traditional and current approaches to leadership

CASE STUDY 1: Developing a leadership strategy

Understanding leadership processes at all levels

• Applying the leadership hierarchy
• Analysing the process

PRACTICAL EXERCISE
Demonstrating the theory of leadership processes in practice

Leadership and emotional intelligence

• The relationship between leadership and emotion
• The essence of organisational climate

PRACTICAL EXERCISE
Participants will work on an exercise to illustrate the theory of emotional intelligence in practice

A strategic leadership toolkit

• Practical methods for developing strategic leadership ability
• Core strategic leadership competencies – thinking skills and people skills
• Preparation for day two

Programme - Day 2

The programme-Day two

Review of day one

Understanding strategic creativity

• Examining the psychological aspects of strategic thinking
• Mind mapping and other approaches to creative thinking
• Developing a creativity toolkit

CASE STUDY 2: A strategic leadership challenge
Developing a new vision and plan to transform an organisation to face future challenges based on a real-life scenario

Developing strategic leadership capability

• A review of current approaches
• Understanding the behavioural approaches
• Developing a contingency approach

Understanding corporate culture

• The structural aspects
• The behavioural aspects
• The human aspects

How leaders can change corporate culture

• Developing a toolkit for change
• Understanding the cultural web
• The link with emotional intelligence

CASE STUDY 3: Analysing leadership techniques
This practical case study illustrates how the strategic approach and the application of appropriate leadership techniques including ‘split screen ability’ work in a real-life scenario

Performace aspects at the strategic level

• Developing vision, goals and objectives
• Creating corporate identity and alignment
• Working with individual influencers

Effective strategic influencing skills

• The characteristics of effective persuasive leaders
• Understanding methods of persuasion
• Profiling others

Building the top team

• The nature of the top team
• Accepting diversity and challenge

The key functions of strategic leadership

• Putting these into action
• Personal leadership planning

Identifying tomorrow’s leaders

• Practical approaches
• The challenges for the future.

The expert presenter

John Potter helps client organisations worldwide turn their business strategy into reality. He is an international consultant and business psychologist who works globally with a range of blue-chip clients. He operates in the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia and the USA and has a wealth of expertise upon which he can draw.

For eight years he was on the staff of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where he became deeply involved in the leadership development programme both teaching and undertaking research that resulted in his gaining a PhD in Leadership in 1985. John now works with a variety of public and private sector organisations as well as personally mentoring senior managers and acting as psychological adviser to a number of TV and media companies.

Past delegates’ comments

Excellent course with valuable practical tips for personal and team development

Stephen Packer, Finance Director, Adare On Demand Communications Ltd

I have a much greater clarity on leadership and culture in particular I enjoyed the anecdotes and examples that illustrated the theory. I also enjoyed the practical exercises

Gary Bowler, Director of Sales, Servier Laboratories

I was pleased that the course matches what I have been looking for and will look forward to using you again.

Alan Butler, Divisional HR Director, Specialist Markets, Aramark Ltd

Good presentation and high quality information

Meirion Phrys Jones, Deputy Chief Executive, Welsh Language Board

Many thanks for providing a high quality event, led by such a fascinating individual in John Potter

Lynne Kelly, Head of Service Delivery, First Rate Travel Services

I thoroughly enjoyed the course. John is an excellent orator and for someone who struggles sitting around the days passed swiftly.

Chris Kelly, Custodial Services Director, Aramark Ltd

Rich in content..excellent course, many thanks

Andy Cush, Divisional Director, ROCC Computers Ltd

Thank you very much for an excellent training experience

Jenny Preston, Head Occupational Therapist, NHS Ayrshire & Arran

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Client portfolio

Our client portfolio for this course includes the following companies: