Boosting Your Leadership Impact: Strategies for Managerial Excellence

Boosting Your Leadership Impact: Strategies for Managerial Excellence

Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Course Overview: 

This intensive, two-day course is designed to equip current and aspiring managers with the essential mindsets, skills, and adaptive tools required for peak performance in a volatile and complex work environment. It focuses on the application of key evidence-based models, including the Adaptive Leadership framework and Self-Determination Theory (SDT), to help participants diagnose challenges and effectively mobilize teams through change and uncertainty. Attendees will master practical strategies for leading adaptive challenges, driving continuous performance, and fostering a growth-oriented, resilient team culture, ultimately increasing their strategic contribution and leadership impact.

Course Objectives:

1. Diagnose and apply the principles of the Adaptive Leadership model (Heifetz and Linsky) to distinguish between technical and adaptive challenges.

2. Utilize Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to design work environments that maximize intrinsic motivation through autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

3. Implement effective delegation strategies that foster accountability and accelerate team development.

4. Master coaching and developmental feedback techniques using the Situational Leadership II (SLII) model to match leadership style to follower readiness.

5. Develop advanced emotional intelligence to manage team conflict, navigate power dynamics, and build organizational justice.

6. Design and communicate strategies to lead teams through organizational change, leveraging the Kotter's 8-Step Change Model.

7. Apply strategic decision-making models to address complex problems and manage risk with greater confidence.

Course Outline:

Performance, Motivation, and Influence Models

Module 1: Managerial Effectiveness in the Modern Workplace

1. The Transition from Individual Contributor to Strategic Leader

2. Defining and Measuring Managerial Excellence (Beyond Tasks)

3. Self-Assessment: Identifying Leadership Styles and Blind Spots

4. Introducing the Situational Leadership II (SLII) Model

Module 2. Driving Motivation and Continuous Performance

1. Self-Determination Theory (SDT): Fostering Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness

2. Objective Setting using SMARTER Goals and Strategic Alignment

3. Continuous Performance Management: Shifting to Feedback-Rich Conversations

4. Mastering Developmental Feedback and Crucial Conversations (DIF/DESC)

Module 3. Strategic Communication and Influence

1. Coaching and Mentoring as Core Managerial Skills

2. Matching Style to Readiness using SLII

3. Delegation Mastery and the Levels of Accountability

4. Building Organisational Justice and Trust

Adaptive Leadership and Navigating Change

Module 4. Foundations of Adaptive Leadership

1. Introduction to the Adaptive Leadership Framework (Heifetz & Linsky)

2. Diagnosing the Challenge: Technical vs. Adaptive Problems

3. The Immunity to Change concept and overcoming organizational resistance

4. Getting on the Balcony: Stepping back to see the bigger system

Module 5. Mobilizing and Leading Through Change

1. Applying Kotter's 8-Step Change Model for Strategic Execution

2. Managing Stakeholder Loyalties and Regulating Distress (Adaptive Work)

3. Holding the Work: Applying Pressure, Pacing the Change, and Directing Attention

4. Creating a Culture of Experimentation and Learning from Failure

Module 6. Personal Resilience and Future-Proofing Leadership

1. Emotional Intelligence and Self-Correction in an Adaptive Environment

2. The Manager's Role in Team Well-being and Building Resilience

3. Action Planning: Integrating the Models for Ongoing Excellence

4. Post-Course Development and Continuous Learning