Wade Rowan is an Owner, Trainer, and Coach at Lushin, Powered by Sandler.
The best leadership development programs do one thing well: they grow the leader so the leader can grow everyone around them.
Effective Leadership Development Programs focus on specific ideas that will allow the leader to grow as he or she empowers others to do the same. Growing Requires Growth. Leadership Professional Development Programs need to have a track record of being impactful. Based on Transforming Leaders, The Sandler Way, David Arch identifies what he calls the Big Seven... Personal Power / Influence, Conviction, Charisma, People Skills, Courage, Ethics, and Expertise.
Three Key Considerations
Look for a program that develops influence, not just authority. A title tells people to follow you. Personal power and influence is - The Why they actually do. A strong program teaches leaders how they should show up, how to carry a room, and how their presence moves a team toward the mission. In leadership we are paid to be professional communicators. To master any skill, you must practice. Look for programs that prompt you to work on your craft with your coach and others who are enrolled in the program. Iron Sharpens Iron.
A good program sharpens what a leader believes and stands for. Teams take their cues from a leader who is clear about where things are going. Orientation is Key. When the program forces clarity of belief, everything downstream gets easier: decisions, accountability, buy-in. The old saying that “you must stand for something, or you will fall for almost anything” - is not wrong. The leaders attitude drive their mindset and belief, those attitudes (negative or positive) will drive team synergy and behaviors. Speed of the Leader – Speed of The Team.
Seek out a program that helps you see that courage Is Not the lack of fear. In the United States Marine Corps, I was taught that true courage is what you do in the face of fear. How you train has everything to do with how you will respond when things get tough. When a leader performs, over time they will help others feel safe when being led by that person. We are not called to be leaders who cause others to be fearful, instead be a person who can make decisions and keep their team moving toward the goal.
Awareness – Knowledge – Application – Ownership - Mastery. The right program will stretch you before it ever reaches your team. Apart from personal self-awareness no leadership program will produce fruit. Growing Requires Growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a leadership development program actually work?
It develops the leader first. A program that only hands out frameworks, without changing how the leader thinks and shows up, will not move the dial.
How is leadership development different from management training?
Management training teaches you to run processes which is good. Leadership development grows the person others choose to follow.
How do you measure the results of a leadership development program?
Watch the team, do you see clear expectations that are time bound, needed accountability, strategic decision making, and leaders having conversations they used to avoid are signs it is working.