As businesses grow, it is natural to move high performing employees into a team leadership role, but this move can often prove problematic. Employees who are good at doing their own job, don’t always have the skills they need to help manage the performance of others. The additional level of responsibility can also distract them from maintaining previously high performance in their original role. To make matters worse, resentment can sometimes build from peers who aren’t open to being managed by someone they see as being at the same level as they are. In short, what seems like a natural progression of moving an employee to a manager role can turn into a minefield of problems!
One of the biggest reasons new (and existing) leaders struggle is that they lack training in the core communication skills that are the foundation for addressing performance management issues and growing the performance of individuals and teams. Just because most people spend a large percentage of their lives both talking and listening, doesn’t mean they actually know how to communicate effectively. As an employee, you might be able to muddle along with your current communication skills, but when you move into a management or leadership role the stakes are much higher. Suddenly communication becomes your core tool. No amount of productivity tips, technology or even systems will impact results as much as developing effective communication skills in your people will. This program provides both new and experienced leaders with the core communication skills they need to confidently manage their relationships with team members, colleagues and even those they report to in a way that fosters creativity, collaboration and camaraderie rather than resistance and resentment.
Instructional Objectives:
The following topics will be covered:
- The two critical characteristics of effective communication;
- Foundations of effective listening and communication;
- The neuroscience of communication hijacks and how to get back on track;
- Personality styles and their impact on effective communication;
- Giving and receiving feedback effectively;
- Sources of resistance to feedback and how to address them;
- The PIVOT model for giving and receiving feedback like a pro;
- The three elements of effective recognition;
- The importance of adapting recognition to suit individual values and personality style;
- The six elements of effective delegation;
- Communication and trust as a foundation for effectiveness in the leadership role; and
- Creating a 90-day action plan to apply and improve your communication skills as a leader.
Measurable Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the training, participants will:
- Understand how communication effectiveness is the core tool leaders have at their disposal to drive performance in individuals and their team;
- Gain skill and confidence in core communication techniques for giving and receiving feedback, delegating, recognizing, and monitoring and managing the performance of their team;
- Be aware of how their words and actions can impact trust levels in their team and have identified key behaviours they need to shift to garner trust in their leadership role; and
- Create a 90-day action plan to address their weaknesses and build on their strengths in their leadership role.