Leading Edge

Segmented into seven key modules, Leading Edge engages participants in a detailed exploration around the fundamentals of leadership and management and their individual drivers and derailers.​
1. SUPPORTING LEADERSHIP PERFORMANCE
Participants explore what it means to lead and begin to answer the question ‘What type of leader do I want to be?’ After examining a number of leadership frameworks, participants begin to build connections with their own style and leadership approach. There is a focus on building self-awareness and awareness of how leadership plays out within their teams and organisation. In addition, strategies for building resilience, mindfulness and wellbeing are also explored along with ways to overcome challenges, bounce back from adversity and increase resourcefulness.

2. EFFECTIVE INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION AND FEEDBACK
Participants are introduced to ways to communicate with presence and influence. Participants explore a range of communication skills to help them engage more effectively with others. These include approaches to listening deeply, asking questions that elicit more valuable responses and skills that enable them to balance the desire to advocate their point of view with their capacity for learning from others. Participants then extend their communication skills into the realm of performance by learning the principles of effective feedback. By appreciating the distinction between perceptions and observable behaviour, participants come to understand and meet the challenges involved in sharing difficult feedback.

3. EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND CONFLICT
Participants learn to appreciate that whilst intelligence (IQ) may be important, it is emotional intelligence (EQ) that enables them to progress further. A model of EQ is presented and participants are invited to explore the ways in which they can develop and practice a range of EQ skills. This extends into the realm of managing conflict, from which participants examine how to make conflict a constructive and potentially transformative experience.

4. CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
As our everyday environment increases in complexity it is easy to become distracted by the immediate at the expense of what’s truly important. This theme centres on developing a coherent and dynamic ‘game plan’ for future career and life fulfilment. Within the context and expectations of the participant’s workplace, they consider the steps required to fully realise their career potential. Career inhibitors and accelerators are explored and their career path is explained through the Sigmoid Curve model. Participants also explore the importance of networking from a strategic growth perspective.

5. ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL TEAM
Most organisational achievements occur through the work of teams. Participants explore teamwork from both team leader and team member perspectives. This allows participants to develop their situational and strategic leadership skills. Participants learn the key attributes of successful teams and how to create them within their own team. The importance of diversity and inclusion and its challenges and benefits, are analysed. This includes the development of a high-performing team culture. The earlier work on feedback, communication, emotional intelligence and conflict is further considered as integral elements of developing team performance.

6. PRESENCE AND PRESENTATION SKILLS
In today’s highly competitive employment market it certainly helps to be effective when putting your thoughts and opinions across. Although many people dread presenting, learning a few basic skills can significantly reduce feelings of fear and help to put both you and your audience at ease. This theme will help participants develop their confidence and capability in this critical area.

7. LEADING IN TIMES OF CHANGE​
Participants explore various responses to change. They learn a model for managing change and for engaging others on the journey. They also explore common challenges that are involved in change. Participants move on to learn how to integrate their new skills in order to effectively embrace and lead change within their team.