How to Learn About Leadership
Leadership can be taught through a variety of methods that combine theory, practice, and personal reflection. To help you work out where to start we have provided a summary of what Inspirea includes in it’s Emerging Leaders Development Programme and also information on other ways to access this type of learning.
We know the world needs great leaders so we are happy to help you on your journey to becoming credible and competent to better the world around us.
Quick Look: Learning Methods
| Leadership courses | Through feedback | |
| Workshops & Seminars | Self-Reflections | |
| Learning for a certificate | Role Models | |
| Mentorship | Leadership in action (observation) | |
| Coaching | Media (audio, video and text) | |
| On-the-job learning | Leadership Consultancy | |
| Simulations and Role Play |
What learning types does the Emerging Leaders Development Programme include?
Learning Methods: Pros and Cons Explained
Click on the items of interest below to read more.
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You will build foundational knowledge in the theories, styles and strategies of leaders.
It is unlikely that group or online formats will look at personal behaviour patterns to support the individual’s growth in more subconscious areas.
GROUP LEARNING
They offer some direct feedback and coaching may be provided to the individual during sessions or on homework review.
If they are group taught they are often conducted over a couple of days. This can be useful if you have limited time but may not help to embed learning.
Groups can give an opportunity to learn from others but may not allow time to explore personal examples.
Price for ranges from several thousand pounds/dollars.
ONLINE COURSE
If you enrol in an online course the course will be generic. Price ranges for tens of pounds/dollars to thousands.
THE EMERGING LEADERS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
The programme provides structured, one-to-one, personalised training for new or developing leaders.
It is conducted on the days and times that suit you.
Individual goals and needs are assessed and your programme adapted to give you personalised support.
The programme includes coaching techniques to support you.
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Workshops and Seminars focus on specific leadership skills e.g. communication. These sessions are interactive and small group.
Workshops and seminars are held on demand by your organisation or they are used to teach one off skills at a small fee if by an external organisation.
THE EMERGING LEADERS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Specific skills are covered in up to 4 hrs of sessions tailored to your specific needs.
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A certificate can be provided to you so that you have proof of the course completion to demonstrate the skills learned to your companies and on your CV.
The Emerging Leaders Development Programme provides a certificate.
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A mentor gives advice, guidance and feedback from their previous experience. This can be useful when practical knowledge is needed about the role, task or industry. If the mentor only gives advice and direction then this practice does not focus on developing independence of the mentee.
Mentorship can often be found within the organisation from more senior or longer tenure individuals with critical experience.
It is important that your mentor is skilled in your area, has your best interests at heart and is considering your real world experiences to avoid incorrect advice being given (i.e., not assuming one size fits all for advice).
The Emerging Leaders Development Programme
It is unlikely that mentoring will be provided during the programme.
Inspirea prefers to coach rather than mentor as we are not working in the individual’s organisation which could result in giving bad advice. However, if deemed appropriate in session this can be provided.
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Coaching is a skilled development practice that uses questioning techniques and methods to allow an individual to explore their real-world and internal world to a much greater depth. This method promotes individual learning and empowerment, helping the individual to feel confident at solving problems and understanding the world around them to both a deeper and higher level than they typically do day to day. Coaching can be focused on specific topics (such as leadership coaching) to radically enhance the individuals fulfilment and performance in this area.
During coaching the individual will learn about themselves and develop their own personal leadership style preventing a generic leadership style forming which does not align to that individual's values or personality.
Learn skills in a format that works for them and overcome worries and concerns that prevent them implementing these theories in real life.
Build independence and confidence.
Leadership teams within organisations may have been trained in coaching offering a useful resource for developing employees.
The Emerging Leaders Development Programme
This is an extensive part of the programme.
Inspirea coaches give you leadership training (teach you the skills) but then use coaching to uncover unhelpful thoughts, attitudes or behaviours that might be holding you back. We also work to identify your purpose and your why so you are motivated to move forward in your next steps.
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On-the-job training is direct experience in the real world. This type of learning cannot be avoided as it is part of learning a role, however, it can also be actively planned for by asking to shadow someone if a project or task they carry out could help you develop a skill.
The Emerging Leaders Development Programme
During the programme you will be asked to identify real world tasks that align to your learning plan. You will then be supported with how to best learn from these experiences and how to reflect on them.
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During a simulation or role play an individual practices their behaviours, responses or test processes to theoretical events to fine tune their skills. This technique can also include visualisation activities that allow you to simulate the scenario with your coach.
These types of activities are often conducted within teams (including cross-functional teams) to reduce risk. They can also be part of some leadership training programmes.
The Emerging Leaders Development Programme
Visualisation techniques and walk-throughs will be used to simulate real world scenarios so that the individual can then be confident practicing the skill in real life as part of their homework.
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Feedback is a formal, structured process to request feedback from peers, direct reports, and supervisors that helps individuals to understand how their leadership is perceived and areas where they can improve.
Feedback is often self directed or directed by leadership within an organisation.
The Emerging Leaders Development Programme
Within the programme there is a programme element teaching you how to ask for feedback, what to ask for and when to ask for it. This is tailored to your specific needs. During the programme you will also receive how to give feedback.
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Encouraging individuals to reflect on their leadership experiences, challenges, and successes helps them develop self-awareness and learn from their mistakes.
Examples include journaling, discussing with an ally/coach/mentor or simply thinking about the scenario.
The Emerging Leaders Development Progamme
At the start of each session there will be time to reflect on the progress or challenges of the previous week so the coach can support you in adapting the session to your needs. Also, journaling is built into the workbooks for personal time to reflect.
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Leaders learn a great deal by observing others in leadership positions. This can be accomplished by shadowing experienced leaders, observing their decision-making processes, and analysing how they handle challenges.
The role model can be within the organisation or outside of the organisation. Role models also do not need to be an exact match to your role. For example, Churchill was an expert of leadership in challenging times or Barak/Michelle Obama are experts at giving speeches.
The Emerging Leaders Development Programme
In an early session you will explore who you can model. It is then up to the individual to do so in their spare time between sessions.
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Seeing leadership principles in practice, such as through company-wide meetings, can offer valuable lessons.
You can learn what to do and what not to do from other people. These case studies can reframe how you lead.
The Emerging Leaders Development Programme
You will be asked for examples of leadership in your organisation to help your learning journey. You will also be asked to identify leaders you may wish to learn from in an early session.
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Learn from experts on specific topics using these media.
Finding the media you want to consume requires you to research the topics you need to study and to consume the material. This is an effective form of learning and cost effective so is recommended. It may help to identify patterns but it is harder to identify topics to study when they are unknown-unknowns.
The Emerging Leaders Development Programme
The programme provides one free leadership book as part of the course, free workbooks including summaries of your learning, as well as videos on your chosen soft skills that you can refer back to later.
Where appropriate audio formats are also provided for those with a preference for auditory learning
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Leadership consultants typically support training and upskilling of leadership on behalf of the organisation they are hired by. They also set goals, assess the organisation’s strategy/effectiveness, facilitate change and perform team building activities.
This is not typically available to individuals.
Not included in the Emerging Leaders Development Programme
The programme assumes that the Emerging Leader is purchasing the training and not their organisation.
Where should you go now?
If you have any questions about the services provided by Inspirea please visit the programme page for more information.
See the Emerging Leaders Development Programme
You can also schedule a free consultancy call to learn more about how the programme meets your specific needs.
Which ever path you choose we wish you all the very best on your journey to becoming a competent and credible leader.
For your information, the Emerging Leaders Development Programme has been priced* competitively against leadership courses and coaches. It has also been benchmarked against average salaries for emerging leader roles that require training. Many courses, especially custom/individual courses, are paid by the organisation and not the individual and, therefore, are considerably more expensive.
*Inspirea’s program costs £1500 (including VAT)and includes a free book, certificate, and WhatsApp support within working hours. (See T&Cs for more details)