Every day, leaders face issues for which they have received little or no training. They often confuse managing with leadership. They may want to operate more effectively. They may want to partner with peers across the organization, but perceive the barriers and risks to be great. The Leader's Toolbox® offers solutions to all management levels. We show people how to take an idea from concept through fruition to make meaningful and lasting change.
The tools provided are from the best organization thinkers. They have withstood the test of time. Based on sound organization theory—the science of leadership—they are offered as practical, straightforward, step-by-step tools, effective for the broad range of leadership work.
Workshop concepts are taught through the use of a business case. Participants work in small groups in the roles of leaders of an ailing organization. In their roles, they experience a broad range of issues likely to be encountered by any leader. The learning is fun, engaging, and meaningful.
The tools are versatile. The modular approach encourages organizations to include specific tools that are meaningful to their growth.
Here are examples of tools that can be put "into the toolbox."
The session offers organizations an opportunity to experience the power of the toolbox approach in a setting that can yield significant insight in a short period of time.
During this four-hour session, participants
- Learn why they may naturally avoid playing a leadership role and how to overcome those tendencies
- See that leadership can be a predictable five-step process
- Learn the power of the story
- Apply the new learning to a leadership situation they currently face
Working closely with several key leaders of the organization, we determine specific leadership tools for selected leaders. This method is often utilized by clients who have limited time in which to analyze the leadership needs of their organizations or are working within an exceptionally constrained budget. The specific format, tools, and session times are customized. Typical times are one-half to one full day.
Participants see leadership with a new set of eyes. They see that it is not a solo act and that the practice of leadership is an essential organization ingredient for growth. Participants are seated in groups of five, each group operating in the role of the leadership team for a business case that they have already received as pre-work in preparation for the workshop. In the workshop, the Leader's Map and the tools selected by the design team are presented. Participants will see the power and application of the tools to resolve critical business issues.
The length of the workshop will vary from two to four days. It can be held on consecutive days or spaced over a longer period of time based on the time availability of the group.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to more effectively
- Describe and determine how to respond to the external forces impacting the business now and in the future
- Prepare for the unexpected
- Build commitment with critical stakeholders
- Identify and learn how to develop critical organization capabilities
- Learn the differences between paradoxes and problems
- Build effective teams faster and more effectively than conventional methods
- Learn what to do when they feel between a rock and a hard place
Before
Participants receive a short business case prior to the session. They are also asked to consider a current leadership issue to which they will apply the tools.
During
Participants are members of the leadership team of a company that is in danger of failing. Throughout the workshop, participants are confronted with the universal challenges faced by leaders and presented practical tools to address them. At the end of the session they apply the tools to their own leadership situation.
After
Each participant receives individual coaching or is assigned to a small group to address a strategic business issue.
What leaders do
- The three roles leaders play provides insights about the factors that prevent leaders from spending more of their valuable time leading
- The Leader's Map shows what leaders do, the challenges they experience, and what they do—when. See the three roles of successful leaders and why most managers and employees select the less productive roles.
Reframe the future
- The External Relationship Map shows how to see external markets in ways that lead to deep insights about the business. The scenario planning tool shows how to prepare for uncertainty.
Build commitment
- Learn how to integrate the leader's needs with those of critical stakeholders.
- Learn to frame leaders' communications in ways that build engagement.
Teach and learn
- Learn how core organization competence can be used to facilitate employees across the organization work together for long-term success.
Build community
- See how leaders can work together to accommodate different organization demands. Learn how to build teams more effectively without the use of personality assessments.
Balance Paradox
- Leaders are typically good at solving problems—but paradoxes are what likely keeps them up at night. Participants learn to distinguish the two and how to balance dilemmas that are the constraints for organization success.
Your own business case
- Participants apply the tools to a leadership issue they currently face. They learn that the tools can be applied to both everyday and longer term leadership issues.
Once people have been exposed to the tools in the workshop, they need an opportunity to apply them to real life situations. Once they find success, the tools become a natural part of their repertoire of leadership skills. It is critical that people know that there is an expectation that they will use the tools and receive the support to successfully use them. Coaching can be completed by The Leader's Toolbox® or certified internal coaches.
(Available to member organizations)
Leaders want access to the tools when they need them. Participants of member organizations can log on to the special section of this website and gain immediate access to our library of tools. Click on the appropriate challenge on The Leader's Map to find the background of the tool, specific steps to use the tool, examples, and downloadable templates to use for individual presentations and group facilitation.
Whether you want to create a brand new leadership program from scratch or tweak an existing program to meet changing leadership development needs, we can partner with you to design an approach that will work for your organization. Formats and hours of consultation can be easily tailored to your needs.
We recognize that our work is deepened when there is active support from within the organization. We offer a unique opportunity for partnership with Human Resources personnel by inviting them to work side by side with us. Their level of interest determines the degree of involvement. As a result of this partnership
- Human Resources personnel deepen their knowledge of organization development methodologies
- Human Resources will more likely ensure the success of the project
- The Leader's Toolbox® can transition the work knowing that the initiative is internally sustainable
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