Before we get into the tangible benefits, let's first establish “leadership training” is training developed for the purpose of teaching individuals the skills of a good leader. These skills include things like discipline, work ethic, vision, and the ability to inspire and motivate themselves and others. Despite the myth that “leaders are born” and not created, these skills can be taught and improved.
Is leadership training important? Does it matter? The short answer is yes. In fact, it is essential if done correctly. Setting aside the content of the training there are several very powerful reasons why leadership training is important. Here are a few good ones.
It creates a culture of learning. Learning begins at the top and having a commitment to continuing education for leaders is the best way to show it. Learning doesn’t stop when you achieve a certain level or title.
It has a powerful cascading effect. When the employees of your organization understand that your leadership team is committed to ongoing education and learning, it inspires everyone at every level to identify their own skills gaps and find the right courses to develop new skills.
It’s a competitive advantage. The best way to attract and retain top leaders, is to have a robust leadership development and training program. Leaders want to know that they can invest in new skills, certifications, etc. It’s also a smart way to do succession planning.
It works. The best reason of all. Leadership training and development is important because it works – if you do it the right way. Sure, there are many failed leadership development programs out there that give it a bad name. But we’ve seen it transform underperforming teams and inspire high-functioning teams to accomplish great things. But it takes patience, stamina and commitment because long-term behavioural change is hard. All the pieces must be in place – strategic clarity, alignment with goals and values, defined success criteria, detailed execution, a thorough and in-depth follow-up plan to ingrain the learning and reduce backslide.
With real strategic commitment, leadership training and development is one of the most powerful paths to success for any organization.
Long term, strategic benefits, organizations reap from executing a continuous leadership training program:
Employees will become better decision makers
Significant improvement in company structure and organization
Company is better equipped to handle the unexpected scenarios
The presence (or absence) of wide-spread leadership training affects top line and bottom line
Giving everyone a chance to develop leadership qualities will help attract and retain top talent
In conclusion, the fact that developing leadership skills is possible is reason enough to tear down the exclusivity surrounding leadership training, and to make it available to all employees to build the next gen leaders within the organization.
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