Leadership and Strategic Influence

Introduction:

The Leadership and Strategic Influence training course equips participants with the skills needed to forecast effectively and recognize future scenarios. It provides tools for essential leadership functions such as persuasion, communication, influence, and delegation to energize the workforce. Participants will learn to embrace flexibility in strategy and strategic planning, embodying the principles of strategic leadership. This course helps attendees understand the significance of strategic leadership in driving organizational transformation and practical ways to ensure team alignment with corporate goals.

Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Apply diverse strategic analysis tools.
• Recognize the importance of scenario development for managing uncertainty.
• Understand the role of inquiry in developing solutions.
• Enhance key leadership skills including influence, persuasion, and negotiation.
• Identify employees with change-driving characteristics.

Training Methodology:

• Brainstorming Sessions
• Expert Panel Sessions
• Leadership Labs
• Scenario Planning
• Peer Feedback & Reflection
• Real-World Problem Solving
• Coaching/Mentoring Sessions
• Multimedia Presentations
• Action Learning Projects

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Strategic Analysis & Strategic Thinking

• Understanding strategy and dispelling misconceptions
• Importance of stakeholder interests
• Matching strategy tools to specific situations
• Analyzing business life cycles: Product & Market
• Tools for understanding the business environment
• Value Chain Analysis

Unit 2: The Planning Process

• Building and managing strategy teams
• Frameworks for strategy development
• Effective tools: SWOT, Porter’s 5 Forces, GE Matrix
• Strategy Matrix and Business Attractiveness
• External analysis: PESTLE and Market Analysis
• Organizational strategies: Ansoff Matrix
• Defining goals and objectives: Short, Medium, Long-term
• Contingency Planning
• Documenting the strategic plan

Unit 3: Strategy, Innovation, and Adaptability

• Strategy formulation
• Tools for visualizing possible futures
• Research on CEO strategic tool usage
• Balancing focus and detail
• Choosing types of innovations
• Managing the innovation cycle

Unit 4: Key Leadership Skills: Communications

• Vision, Mission, & Values: Beyond Words
• Impact of Organizational Culture on Strategy Execution
• Strategic Internal Communication
• Maximizing Communication Channels
• Persuasion, Influence, and Negotiation Skills
• Addressing Virtual Communication Issues

Unit 5: Communication – The Challenge of Alignment

• Communicating the strategic plan
• Using multiple communication channels
• Tailoring communication to learning styles
• Cascading strategy throughout the organization
• Understanding Emotional Intelligence (EI)
• Managing resistance and reward systems
• Celebrating successes and maintaining momentum

Unit 6: Strategic Implementation

• Converting planning into action
• Project management tools for implementation
• Establishing benchmarks, roadblocks, and milestones
• Assembling and leading the implementation team
• Accountability and the Deming Model (PDCA)
• Drafting and executing actionable plans

Unit 7: Team Leadership

• Roles and responsibilities of team leaders
• Motivating and engaging staff
• Effective staff engagement techniques
• Communication within teams and managing meetings
• Measuring communication efficiency
• Personal development action planning

Unit 8: Measurement for Success

• Developing relevant measurement systems
• KPIs vs. Other performance measures
• Balanced Scorecard: Integrating financial and non-financial indicators
• Performance reviews and assessment
• Linking Balanced Scorecard to flexible strategic budgeting
• Management by variance analysis