Considering recent changes around the world, leadership development training is probably more important than ever before. As most organizations fail to move the needle on strategic change, the spotlight is more focused on change effectiveness.
Change is often hard and even unwanted, but effective leaders can keep employees excited about change, engaged, informed and productive. Effective hands-on leadership development using state-of-the-art business simulations is one effective strategic change to consider.
STEERING KNOWLEDGE AND BUSINESS ACUMEN
A study by Economist Intelligence Unit found a correlation “between companies that do better at [strategy] implementation and those that focus more heavily on obtaining the requisite business and leadership skills.” Building this knowledge is a responsibility that rests squarely on the shoulders of leaders. Continuous development is required for leaders to improve engagement and develop the right approaches for nurturing knowledge transfer, innovation and decision-making skills.
Strategic and informed leaders serve as an example for the teams they lead, and leadership training helps both leaders and their teams understand how the pieces fit together in the business processes puzzle. Employees, in turn, learn about how every item on their timesheet drives the company’s bottom line. It then becomes easy to articulate change and strategy acceleration.
BUILDING INNOVATION AND AGILITY
Business models of the past are being upended. Companies are switching to newer niches as economic shocks and social-political crises continue to hit. The fast-paced wave of technology similarly demands readiness in terms of implementing new forms of product and service delivery. The story of Nokia serves as a perfect reminder.
Leadership development using business simulations makes team leaders smarter about change. It will help them become more comfortable with discomfort and alert to opportunities to capitalize on. Their agility and adaptability will trickle down to individual employees, building a culture of resilience. The result is a strategy acceleration that guarantees a faster rebound after a crisis and innovation that keeps up with the pace of technology.
SUSTAINING PASSION AND DRIVE IN EVERY STAGE OF STRATEGY EXECUTION
Leaders shape a successful strategic transformation by creating driven teams. It is possible to amplify employee morale and build cohesiveness in teams and collaboration in departments. This process begins with encouraging engaging, expanding perspectives; letting power and autonomy trickle down; and encouraging exceptional ideas.
Leadership training using business simulations arms your learners with the skills and tools to start and sustain the momentum of change. Investing in people inspires them to find new ways of continuously improving performance. It is a gesture that they are valued and that they belong. Strategic acceleration and change management flow seamlessly when each employee owns the process.Strategic acceleration and change management flow seamlessly when each employee owns the process.
VISIONING AND LEADING THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION
95% of organizations are investing in leadership training development as a solution for the social, cognitive and functional roadblocks on the path of change. They have realized that the right leadership team can steer a unified strategy to change. Training can create leaders who effectively manage change communication and ensure that the transition is widely supported.
Highly skilled leaders can create problem-solvers of all employees. These leaders spark strategy acceleration by exploring divergent and convergent thinking methodologies in team management. They can lead change through analytical and critical approaches and by fostering self-reliance among team members.
STRATEGIC EXPOSURE
Leadership training development improves the strategic exposure of employees, who earn the cross-functional abilities needed for smoother transitions. Further, the training strengthens collaboration and reduces conflicts. The result is improved participation in the change process from frontline and mid-level employees. These individuals are rich sources of data and knowledge of your business processes. If there has been a decline in productivity, they know what the real issues are. They can help you reach the heart of the matter and create better solutions for smoother change implementation. Traditionally, exposing leaders to strategic thinking has been a challenge, but business simulations can help.
LEVERAGING RATIONALE AND EMOTIONS
A company’s estimations of revenue growth and market reach can sound abstract and un-relatable. The best leaders know how to reach people emotionally when communicating this information. They do so by creating calls to action that inspire and captivate hearts and minds in the strategic change process. Using business simulations within leadership development can help make that inspiration possible.
Effective business training simulations create strong connections among organizational, financial and personal objectives. Other approaches include improving access to senior managers by moving them to shared office spaces and fostering non-linear conversations in informal environments.
LEADING OUTSIDE CONVENTIONAL LINES
Rigidity in organizational structures and leadership styles is another factor to blame for stagnation in strategic change. Leaders need fresh approaches that transcend “cut-and-paste” methods of change management. Leadership development training using business simulations can help leaders put change in the hands of their people through experiential leadership development.
The use of organizational influencers is an example: They have no official leadership title, but their expertise and networks earn them respect and admiration among colleagues. They are good at inspiring people to go above and beyond. These are the right people to help articulate change and achieve strategy acceleration.
Accelerate corporate strategy by investing in hands-on leadership development. Training that focuses on strategic thinking, business acumen and resilience sharpens the performance edge of your learners and optimizes strategy acceleration. It builds the smarts, the drive and synchronicity needed to attain your new outcomes.
