Analyzing Leadership Training Program

Leadership Training Program

In an organizational setup, "managers" and "leaders" are often used interchangeably. However, it must be emphasized that, that is often not always true or accurate. The key difference between managers and leaders is that the former have others working for them whereas the latter have others following them. Leadership deals with getting others (i.e., one's subordinates or followers) to comprehend and accept one's vision and cooperate to attain common goals, whereas management deals more with administration and ensuring everyday activities happen as they ought to (go2HR, 2016).

Numerous characteristics make up an efficient leader; some major leadership traits are:

Inspiration

Vision

Integrity and Honesty

Communication Skills and

Ability of Challenging Followers

Some key characteristics of effective managers include:

Ability to Direct

Ability of Executing a Vision

People-Focused Approach

Process Management (go2HR, 2016)

Firms require strong leaders for being optimally-effective. Organizational leadership addresses expert tactics and human psychology. It addresses leveraging individual potential to tackle hardships within the industry, whilst continuing to grow. It clearly differentiates between managers and leaders. The latter must be capable of controlling people, whilst taking care not to dominate over them. They must guide those working under them, behave responsibly, and point them in the direction of successfully achieving organizational goals (MSG, 2013). Colin Powell states that a great leader is usually a great simplifier, capable of cutting through arguments, doubts and debate, and provide a solution understood by all (Powell cited in Bonnstetter, 2007, p.44).

Activities to aid develop leadership skills

Activity 1- Mouse Trap Test

Group Size: Individuals working in pairs

Age Range: Adult

Time: 20 to 30 minutes

Intensity: Physical=1, Mental=3

Set Up Time: 3 minutes

Space: Minimal -- Medium -- Large

Props: A regular wooden mousetrap for each team

Objective: Coaching one's partner in placing one hand atop a set mousetrap, while their eyes remain closed.

Skills Developed: Coaching, Planning, Communication, and Trust

Set Up / Preparation

1. This advanced activity requires a competent facilitator; groups must be ready to take on the challenge.

2. Before leading the activity, the facilitator should accurately evaluate participants' ability of safely taking part in the activity. It should not be attempted if team members are not prepared.

3. Ensure participants are aware that participation is strictly voluntary.

4. When participation rules are clear to all, the facilitator can explain what the activity entails (i.e., its four stages):

The Four Stages (Steps)

Step #1

(Approximate time for completion: 4 or 5 minutes)

The leader demonstrates how to set the mousetrap.

Participants will be partnered in pairs, and each team will get a mousetrap to practice the activity

Step #2

(Approximate time for completion: 4 or 5 minutes)

Partners in turns will be required to set their given trap with a blindfold across their eyes.

Step #3

(Approximate time for completion: 5 minutes)

Participants will be shown how the trap can be un-set safely, by placing a hand atop the trap directly, and taking it off.

This stage can be a matter of trepidation for some participants. They may find it difficult to believe it is safely possible. This defines the difficulty to be overcome through coordination

Step #4

The first partner is blindfolded and the second sets the trap.

The second partner coaches the blindfolded one on un-setting the trap.

Roles are then interchanged.

Safety Warning: Considerable mutual trust is needed for successful accomplishment of this task.

Facilitator Notes

• This amazing, and powerful activity helps create growth opportunities in individuals and groups, and may prove transformational for participants.

• It works for small groups (2-4 participants) as well as with large groups of individuals (500+). (Heck, n.d., p.4-6)

Activity 2- Helium Stick

Group Size: 8-20

Intensity: Physical=1, Mental=3+

Age Range: high school -- adult

Time: 20 to 60 minutes (longer will be more realistic)

Set Up Time: 1 minute

Space: Minimal -- Medium -- Lots

Props: Aluminum tent pole (i.e., Helium Stick)

Objective: Lowering the helium stick to ground level.

Skills Developed: Planning, Problem Solving, Focus, and Communication

Set Up / Preparation

1. Participants are divided into two groups and 2 parallel lines of participants facing each other are formed. The lines should be close to one another (between 12 and 18 inches' distance). Each group's members stand side by side.

2. After the lines form, everybody holds their index finger out at the level of their waist.

3. The facilitator announces to them that a helium stick will be placed atop their fingers. When doing so, the pole should be placed from behind in the center of one line. The facilitator should not move his/her hand from the pole, and must, hence, prevent the team from raising it into the air. Usually, groups try to raise it with their fingers before even knowing or understanding the directions.

4. Lastly, the group must be told that they are required to lower the pole to ground level without any team member losing their contact with it. If anyone loses contact with it, the team has to begin again.