We all have busy schedules. Between your home life and work’s day-to-day demands, there are very few hours left in the day to prioritize yourself and personal growth. But prioritize we must. You see, I’m an ambitious person, and for me, I have learned the value of personal growth and investing in myself over the years.
The moment we take on people management responsibilities, we, as leaders, need to constantly grow ourselves. As Simon Sinek says, “Leadership is not about being in charge, it’s about taking care of those in your charge.” It’s one of the reasons why we always include a Leadership Training program at Build IT Live (that’s our annual conference😊). You see, leadership training is critical to the collective success of any organization. Employees leave bad managers, not organizations. So, when we say we have a talent shortage, do we really, or is there a lack of effective leadership?
I find it extremely interesting that leaders will go to conferences to learn about products and technologies, but it’s like pulling teeth to get them to go to an event where they will have personal growth and development in their own abilities—hmmm…why? Because we don’t see the impact or value in our own personal growth.
So why is it important? As leaders, we are always busy putting out fires, but leadership training is critical for many reasons and is directly linked to the growth of an organization and its team’s employee morale. So why should we think about attending leadership training?
1. Skill Development: Leadership training helps develop some essential skills including:
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- Communication
- Decision-making
- Conflict resolution
- Delegation
These skills are critical for effective leadership and can significantly impact team performance and productivity.
2. Let’s not forget about how it allows us to empower our leaders. When we invest in our leaders and provide them with the knowledge, tools, and techniques needed to excel in their roles, it not only boosts their confidence but also increases their ability to lead teams, navigate challenges, and achieve organizational objectives.
3. Effective leadership also fosters a positive work environment, and we all know how critical it is to have Effective Employee Engagement. Employees need to feel they are valued, and that you, as a leader, are investing in their success. Leadership training equips leaders with the skills to engage and inspire their teams, leading to higher job satisfaction and reduced turnover.
4. Better equipped to lead and manage change: Leaders who are trained in adaptive leadership can actually help drive innovation and manage change within organizations. They think beyond the status quo, and are constantly anticipating trends, identifying opportunities, and implementing strategic initiatives. These are the leaders who are helping move the needle forward for organizations.
5. Building Strong Teams: Teamwork makes the dream work, and collaboration is critical to fostering cohesive team culture. Many programs help leaders learn how to build strong relationships, leverage team strengths, and create an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive. Whether this is understanding their Unique Ability, or Working Genius, by playing to your team’s strengths you can create stronger and more cohesive teams.
6. Improving Decision-making: Was there ever a class in high school about effective decision making? I wish. We probably would have avoided many mistakes if someone had taught us the tools to make informed decisions. As leaders, we have a lot of responsibility to our team members, so the ability to become capable decision-makers who can weigh options, assess risks and make informed choices that align with organizational goals is key. Leadership training enhances decision-making skills by providing frameworks and strategies for effective decision-making.
7. Succession Planning: You will learn a lot about your leaders during training programs. Are they equipped to handle teams? Do they have the right passion for growth? Leadership training is crucial for identifying and developing future leaders within an organization. It will help you identify those individuals that are capable leaders who can step into key roles as needed, rather than just promoting the most senior resource.
8. Culture: Leadership training encourages a culture of continuous learning—as we say at ITBD, you are either winning or learning. Creating and fostering a culture of learning shows to your team the importance of self-reflection, feedback, and ongoing growth and development. Mistakes happen, but do we learn and grow from them. We have weekly training programs for our teams, and every employee is involved in some growth plan.
See, leadership training isn’t just about you attending a three-day course and getting a certificate, it’s essential for developing capable leaders and driving organizational success. It’s one of the reasons why so many larger organizations require MBAs for their leaders. It’s a commitment to your own growth.
If you are a leader yourself, or want to become a leader, consider first assessing your skills and learning about how to become an effective leader. Find opportunities to learn, commit to at least two learning programs a year. We all take vacations, why not take time out for our own personal growth. And if you are an owner of an organization, commit to yourself and your team, that you will invest in their personal growth. I can guarantee you that both your employees and bottom line will be glad that you did.
