Becoming an exceptional leader is easier than you think
When a person is promoted to lead a team, they do not miraculously become an exceptional leader overnight. Leading people requires a completely different skillset to that of a team member. Finding yourself in a position of authority where others look up to you for advice, direction, career guidance and wellbeing support can be a shock when you’re not used to the responsibility. You might feel overwhelmed or out of your depth. The good news is that developing the skills of an exceptional leader is easier than you think.
Organisations have a responsibility to train their leaders
When you don’t receive adequate training to do your job effectively it can be a very frustrating and isolating experience. Sometimes companies can be brilliant at providing opportunities to step up and gain experience, but fail to provide the basic skills and development people need to be effective in their role. These include:
Communication
Building trust and strong relationships
Delivering results and measuring outcomes
Evaluating people performance and delivering feedback
Customer service
Team building and development
Continuous improvement
The pressure of leading a team
When you become a leader, you have a direct influence over the careers of your team as well as a responsibility to deliver upwards to your seniors. If you work in a small or medium-sized organisation your senior might also be the company owner, which can add to the pressure and expectation.
I’ve seen this happen so many times. For example, I know of an experienced lawyer who took on responsibility for leading a team. When chatting with him I could see that he was finding the transition to leadership difficult and had begun to doubt his own ability. Even the most experienced people can find leading a team tricky. When an accountant friend had to ask their direct report to smarten up their appearance for the workplace, they had no idea how to start the conversation because the person had been a close colleague and friend for several years.
Can you relate to these scenarios?
Where can you develop crucial leadership skills?
If you would like to learn the necessary skills to be comfortable and effective in a leadership role, our Zest for Life open leadership development programme could be right for you. It’s open to anyone who would like to improve their skills as a leader. You may have been leading a team for years, be new to the role, or perhaps you’re an aspiring leader who’s ready to take the next step. We’ve split the learning into six manageable, bite-sized modules to make it accessible to leaders at different levels and backgrounds.
About the Exceptional Leadership Makes Sense open programme
Exceptional Leadership Makes Sense is a practical, fun and thought-provoking leadership development programme with clear, measurable outcomes. Delivered over six full days of in-person learning split over three months, the course is designed to build strong, confident leaders aligned to your business vision, values and results. It develops managers who are focused on both team and customer needs.
Delegates frequently emerge as:
more effective communicators
more supportive managers, and are
more confident giving and receiving feedback.
“Amazing programme, empowering and made me more aware of who I am professionally; my strengths and weaknesses. I am a better manager thanks to this training.” - delegate feedback
Download the pdf for full course information
It all kicks off on 10th April 2025 at The Riddling Rack in Newton-le-Willows and places are available at a special introductory price of £850+VAT.
Course materials, food and refreshments are all included in the price. You’ll receive a workbook for every module so you can refer back to your learning, a copy of Sally’s book, Exceptional Service Makes Sense…Business Sense, plus a complementary coaching session with Sally either during or after the programme. We use a variety of learning techniques including open and facilitated discussion, group activities and personal reflection.
A quick course overview
Sessions 1 and 2
10th and 24th April
An opportunity to consider if you are being the leader you want to be, what you want your legacy to be and how you want to be remembered.
Learn how to communicate appropriately with others to build trusting relationships.
This first part of the course is crucial if you want to become authentic in how you lead and develop your own authentic style of leadership. So often people mimic the actions of other leaders rather than considering what they would do in this situation. To be an exceptional leader you need to carve your own path.
Sessions 3 and 4
15th and 29th May
Focus on your impact on the most important two categories of people - your customers and your team.
Learn how to influence others so they love working and doing business with you.
Be clear about what you want to achieve and control building a positive reputation that results in business success.
Sessions 5 and 6
11th and 25th June
Learn how to maintain focus for you and your team to deliver consistently strong results.
Discover how to use and deliver feedback to keep everyone on track.
Build your confidence to have important conversations.
So, there you have it! Developing exceptional leadership qualities is a lot easier than you think. Your solution is right here in our open leadership course, starting on 10th April 2025. If you have any questions about course content or delivery, please get in touch with us here, or book a call with Sally.