It’s true.

Managers do set the tone.

Yet, many managers feel they didn’t receive the proper training to lead and manage their teams effectively.

I hear it in leadership development sessions I facilitate, on online forums, during one-on-one conversations, and in the workplace.

The reasons vary.

Not enough time. Not in the budget. Not a priority. Just to name a few.

In this article, I share 7 methods that can help your managers build their leadership and management muscles. In the next one, I cover some unconventional yet effective approaches you can apply right now that will yield significant results.

Combining both types of methods will exponentially increase the impact of your leadership development strategy.

Here are 7 seven types of leadership development methods you can implement to supercharge your leadership team and why they work.

1. Launch an Internal Manager Training Program

Your organization’s internal training programs, when designed specifically for managers and supervisors, can be a valuable resource for leadership development.

These programs are tailored to address your unique culture, challenges, and strategic objectives. Internal programs can tap into your organization’s subject matter experts, senior leaders, and successful managers, allowing them to share best practices and real-life examples.

If you have internal talent development resources, they can provide project planning, development, and implementation support based on their capabilities. Depending on their function, you can use them exclusively or supplement their talent with the expertise of leadership and organizational development consulting partner.

By participating in your internal programs, your experienced, new, and aspiring leaders can acquire the skills necessary to manage and lead effectively within your organizational context.

2. Capitalize on Pre-Designed Manager Development Programs

Specialized manager development programs offered by external organizations, universities, or professional associations are an excellent way for managers to cultivate their leadership skills.

These programs typically provide comprehensive training on leadership theories, practices, and skills. They cover various aspects such as strategic thinking, effective communication, decision-making, and team management.

In the best programs, participants engage in interactive sessions, case studies, and group exercises to apply their learning in a practical context. By immersing themselves in these programs, leaders gain a solid foundation of leadership principles, techniques, and tools to deliver results.

3. Boost Your Leaders Higher Education Rates

Colleges and universities offer many education programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in leadership, organizational studies, and related fields.

These higher education programs offer a deeper dive into leadership and management theories and concepts. Managers and supervisors can learn from experienced faculty members and engage in discussions with peers from diverse backgrounds.

Executive education programs provide a structured environment for managers to expand their knowledge, refine their skills, and develop a strategic mindset necessary for effective leadership.
Organizations can provide tuition reimbursement programs to help employees offset the cost of higher education. Doing so increases employee engagement, improves retention, and creates an internal pipeline of homegrown leaders.

4. Unleash the Power of Coaching and Mentoring Relationships

Coaching and mentoring relationships are invaluable resources for managers seeking to enhance their leadership abilities. Managers and supervisors can receive personalized guidance, feedback, and support tailored to their unique needs, environmental factors, and styles.

You can establish an internal coaching and mentoring program, encourage informal mentoring relationships, or leverage existing professional coaching programs.

Professional coaches can help managers identify their strengths and opportunities for development, set goals, and create action plans. Mentors can share their wisdom, experiences, and perspectives, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of leadership.
Through regular sessions and ongoing dialogue, managers can develop self-awareness, build their leadership competencies, and navigate complex organizational dynamics.

5. Tap into Live Online Manager Training Courses

If your budget is tight, you can leverage publicly offered leadership workshops and seminars. Due to economies of scale, these live training opportunities tend to be more accessible for smaller businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Yet, through live in-person and online training opportunities, managers can learn various topics from subject matter experts and industry leaders.

These events allow managers to explore specific leadership and management areas in a fast-paced, condensed format. They can attend sessions on effective communication, leading through change, building high-performing teams, and much more. Workshops often incorporate interactive exercises, group discussions, and case studies, enabling managers to apply their learning immediately.

By participating in leadership live in-person and online manager courses, managers expand their knowledge base, gain practical insights, and connect with other professionals.

6. Amplify Access to On-Demand Video Course

Learning through on-demand video provides managers with convenient and flexible access to various leadership and organizational development topics, allowing them to learn at their own pace.

You can implement pre-recorded video courses through your existing Learning Management System (LMS) or tap into the resources provided by a talent development company, such as The Leadership Strength Academy. These courses offer engaging video lessons, practical exercises, and supplemental resources to reinforce learning. Managers and supervisors can benefit from diverse perspectives, global expertise, and the ability to pause, rewind, and revisit content as needed.

Furthermore, at The Leadership Strength Academy, leaders also have access to leadership, organizational development, and performance management experts to get their questions answered. They can also have the option to participate in monthly group coaching calls.
By integrating on-demand video courses into their learning plans, leaders can enhance their leadership skills, broaden their horizons, and stay up-to-date with the latest insights and strategies in the field.

7. Push Out Daily Micro-Learning Lessons That Stick

In today’s fast-paced work environment, micro-learning has gained popularity as an effective way to develop leaders.

Micro-learning refers to bite-sized, easily digestible learning lessons that focus on specific topics or skills. These lessons can be in the form of short videos, podcasts, quizzes, or interactive e-learning.

You can add this valuable task to your learning and development team, or capitalize on existing micro-learning resources.

By incorporating micro-learning into your leadership development strategy, managers can access targeted and relevant content on-the-go, fitting learning into their busy schedules.
This approach allows for continuous learning and reinforcement, as managers can quickly acquire new knowledge and skills, apply them in real-time, and reflect on their effectiveness.
Whether it’s learning about effective feedback techniques or honing negotiation skills, micro-learning provides a convenient and efficient way for leaders to enhance their competencies in a time-effective manner.

Developing Strong Leaders is Critical to Organizational Success

Developing strong managers is crucial for creating great workplaces and achieving organizational excellence. The 7 methods discussed above will help you equip your managers with the mindset, skills, and tools they need to build their leadership teams and achieve results.

When used a part of a broader strategic plan to create and sustain a culture of leadership and performance management excellence, these 7 types of courses will have lasting impact.

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