Leadership Plus

The Beacons Leadership Plus programme is a radically different programme of experiential learning for middle and senior managers, spread over 9-12 months.

• We stress the word "leadership".
• This programme is a leadership programme rather than a management programme.
• The difference between leadership and management is implied in the word "lead".
• To lead implies movement, taking people somewhere else, and change
• To manage implies dealing with consistency, maintaining order and the status quo.
• This definition features early in the programme and remains a consistent theme.
• We stress the word "learning".
• This programme is about learning rather than about training.

"I never really appreciated the true meaning of leadership. Before Lplus, leadership was to me just another management skill. How wrong I was; being a leader means learning to take a stand, take risks, anticipate, initiate and innovate. It is now just a simple matter of putting this into practice."

The programme will encompass the basic management skills of organising the work of others, and problem-solving, and also go beyond them to improve the understanding and practice of giving direction, aligning and motivating people in a continuously changing environment.

It is clear from research among senior managers that their experience has provided the most important opportunities for learning how to lead others. Learning from other people comes a good second, and formal training and education trail behind.

Statistics show that only 10-20% of learning comes from formal training. This programme will help participants learn how to be better leaders from :

• their work experience
• project experience within the work context but outside normal responsibilities
• community experiences outside work
• mentors and other people in the business
• support and challenge from other participants
• 3 x 3-day experiential workshops
• maintaining a learning log
• personal study

Objectives and outcomes

As a result of this programme, participants will be better able to :

• Understand management skills vs. leadership skills
• Put into practice the Blanchard theory of Situational Leadership
• Describe their vision and personal values to people who look to them for leadership in the organisation
• Align people clearly with their vision and values
• Motivate others through their performance, example and support
• Achieve better business results through others – the ultimate aim of managers

"The mix of classroom theory, role play, leadership activities, mentoring, journals, and support / challenge groups has enabled me to learn new leadership techniques, and then practice these in a safe and controlled manner. I know that my LPlus colleagues are always there to talk through problems / successes with me."

Format

• Spanning 9-12 months
• Starting with 360° feedback from colleagues, managers and employees
• "Positioned" in organisation through planned selection, training of mentors, and visible sponsorship from senior management
• 3 x 3-day experiential workshops – spaced out through the programme
• Work and community projects at planned intervals
• Continuous learning log and reading list
• Regular mentoring from management and Beacons consultant
• "Support & challenge" groups for all participants
• Ending * with 360° feedback to measure progress

"I have seen two major changes over the year - one is an increase in self-confidence, and the second is an enormous increase in the level of trust between the course members. I know that I can depend on others and they on me. Working together, we are a much more powerful team than a collection of individuals."

Please contact us to discuss how to improve leadership skills and leadership awareness in your organisation.