Leadership enablement is a vital component for many businesses’ progression. It starts right at recruitment, looking for qualities in candidates that show leadership potential as well as putting development plans in place for existing staff.
A study by Gartner shows that 24% of HR leaders say that their leadership development approach does not prepare them for the future of work. Alchemist’s own research with YouGov this year found that only 13% of UK workers agree that the quality of leadership is improving in the workplace. As organisations and society progress, the expectations placed on leaders continue to evolve, resulting in increasingly intricate roles. The modern work environment demands leaders who are genuinely authentic, empathetic, and adaptable. These three essential qualities signify the emergence of a new form of leadership known as “human” leadership.
While commitment, courage, and confidence are indeed necessary for effective human leadership, the conventional approaches employed by HR struggle to tackle the obstacles impeding leaders’ progress. These hindrances often stem from their own natural emotions of uncertainty, fear, and doubt.
Designing A Leadership Development Plan
Assess Yourself
It is essential to start by gaining a deep understanding of yourself and your professional standing. Evaluating your strengths, weaknesses, and workplace tendencies allows you to identify areas that require improvement and understand potential challenges that may arise as you strive to become a more effective leader.
Engaging in an assessment can prove highly beneficial as it prompts self-reflection on your motivations, limitations, and offers a more comprehensive perspective on your personal leadership style. By combining self-reflection with a 360-degree assessment, you can actively seek feedback from colleagues and peers, gaining valuable insights into how others perceive your leadership approach. Consequently, this allows you to develop and leverage a heightened emotional intelligence throughout your leadership journey.
Setting Realistic Goals
Personal goal setting is a crucial aspect of any effective leadership development plan. By setting clear and meaningful goals, leaders can provide themselves with a sense of direction, purpose, and motivation. Goals serve as guideposts along the leadership journey, helping individuals focus their efforts, make intentional choices, and measure their progress.
They enable leaders to define what success means to them personally and professionally, and create a roadmap for growth and development. Setting goals allows leaders to challenge themselves, step out of their comfort zones, and continually strive for improvement. It is through the process of setting and pursuing goals that leaders can unlock their full potential, enhance their skills, and make a lasting impact on their teams and organisations.
Leadership Development Training
Vital to developing as an effective leader is effective training and practice. Successful learning provides a structured and supportive environment for individuals to learn and grow their skills. This is the Alchemist way, focusing on a safe space in order to develop. One of the core benefits of such training is the opportunity to learn in a low-risk environment. Being able to experiment with new strategies, explore various different approaches to situations and have the ability to make mistakes free of consequence. This creates a culture of perpetual learning and development.
The Alchemist leadership development training programmes create an internal network of like minded peers, creating a professional support system with Alchemist coaches and mentors woven in. This network provides guidance, feedback and encouragement throughout the whole journey.
Leaders learn how their actions, behaviours, and decisions impact others and how to leverage this influence to inspire and motivate their teams. Throughout the programme, learners will take part in various modules ranging from Leading Remote Teams, Building For The Future & Listening, Communication and Authenticity. Just some of the many modules Alchemist can tailor to your specific organisational needs. All through a blended learning format that encompasses, experiential, interactive and immersive deliveries; ensuring learners understand and practise comprehensive leadership skills.
By investing in leadership development training, individuals can enhance their abilities, increase their self-awareness, and ultimately make a positive impact within their organisations.
Enhance Your Network
Creating a strong professional network is an invaluable asset for both existing leaders and new ones. As you navigate the path towards developing as a leader, establishing connections with individuals who share your vision or similar goals and aspirations can prove beneficial. Engaging with like-minded peers offers a platform to apply newly acquired knowledge and receive valuable feedback on your growth achievements.
Sharpen Your Soft Skills
Several key soft skills should be prioritised in your leadership development journey. The ability to influence others is a fundamental skill for effective leadership. It empowers leaders to inspire and motivate their team members towards a common vision and shared goals. By leveraging influence, leaders can effectively communicate their ideas and gain the support and commitment of their team. This skill is essential in driving change, fostering collaboration, and achieving organisational success.
Transparency is a crucial skill for leaders as it establishes a foundation of trust and credibility within the organisation. By being transparent, leaders promote open communication and create an environment where team members feel valued and informed. This fosters a sense of openness that leads to enhanced collaboration, as it encourages employees to share their ideas and concerns without fear of judgement or repercussions. Additionally, transparent leaders are seen as authentic and genuine, which boosts morale and loyalty among their team members.
By fostering a culture that embraces calculated risks, leaders create an environment where creativity and innovation thrive. Encouraging risk-taking & innovation promotes continuous improvement and empowers employees to think outside the box, leading to breakthrough ideas and solutions. Encouraging risk-taking cultivates a sense of ownership and autonomy among team members, fostering a sense of empowerment and engagement. Ultimately, leaders who prioritise risk-taking and innovation position their organisations for long-term success and adaptability in a rapidly changing business landscape.
Leaders who embody integrity and accountability demonstrate a commitment to honesty, ethical behaviour and consistency in their actions. By upholding a strong sense of integrity, leaders inspire trust and credibility among their team members and stakeholders. Accountability ensures that leaders take responsibility for their actions and outcomes, fostering a culture of ownership and transparency.
Leaders who can analyse information swiftly and take decisive action inspire confidence and provide clear direction to their teams. By acting decisively, leaders demonstrate their ability to navigate complex situations and seize opportunities, driving progress and growth. This skill is essential in fast-paced environments where swift decision-making is required to stay ahead of the competition. Ultimately, leaders who can act decisively foster a culture of agility and adaptability, positioning their organisations for success.
Developing resilience helps you navigate challenges and setbacks with grace and determination. Active listening and empathy foster effective communication and build strong relationships. Lastly, honing your skill in creating value in negotiation empowers you to collaborate and find mutually beneficial solutions. By focusing on these soft skills, you will elevate your leadership abilities, inspire your team, and achieve sustainable success.
Alchemist Leadership Development Programmes
Our leadership training programmes are tailored to the needs of your organisation. From foundational learning and practice to all round leadership collective. To find out more information about our learning and development programmes, speak to an Alchemist.
