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Leadership

Develop creative leadership with Beyond Thinking

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:39

Colin Thompson

By Colin Thompson

Beyond Thinking is a multi faceted programme addressing the key competencies to enable organisational leadership and employee development. The main focus is on self-leadership and awareness, managing conflict, communication, motivation, creativity, team leadership and personal purpose within the context of the participant’s current job profile.

We delve into personal and professional visions, values and goals in order to transform any “reactive” behaviour styles into pro-active and self directed leadership competencies. The outcome of which equips participants to make a tangible difference in their work and personal lives.

Besides the above mentioned improved interpersonal skills, the course also addresses the importance of updating attitudes and behaviours, reducing stress and provides a solid foundation for leadership development.

The Concept behind the programme

Beyond Thinking has been designed for both Leaders and teams as the concept of self-leadership applies to both. As a leadership programme, Beyond Thinking stands out by focuses on creativity and leadership theory at the outset; and combines these to provide a platform for creative leadership. The Creativity module incorporates concepts which provide an exciting, innovative and non-traditional approach to leadership.

A key transition for any leader is to become aware of how his or her Ego can either hold them back or propel them forward. The programme explores the path of breaking through the ego into the territory of ‘heart’ and how creative leadership originates from here. Beyond Thinking will show you how to master the Ego and let the Heart rule through effective communication.

We work with a variety of skill sets to assist participants in improving their communication skills. However before this can take place, the creative leader must understand the importance of interdependence and the importance of relationships within the organisation. Thus they will explore what it takes to build relationships and how to communicate from a position of “seeking to understand, then to be understood” as quoted by Covey.

Self Awareness Assessments

Beyond Thinking includes personality self-assessments. The primary tools used include the Enneagram, and the “Life Purpose System” which identifies challenges and patterns that will indicate where the individual should focus to reduce their weaknesses. Once creative leaders become aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, and accept these, they are able to move forward and work with a deeper honesty and integrity. They become aware that challenges are growth hurdles - an inherent part of their lives as leaders.

Developing Personal Pupose

In the last few modules, the focus begins to change – from developing communication and conflict skill sets towards setting and aligning visions, values and goals. A creative leader should have a personal mission or vision that energises his or her own will in the work place. We explore alignment of personal missions and visions to that of the organisation. Values are also very important – they are the compass that guides the leader towards their vision. We explore the values required to be left behind and values that the leader needs to move towards.

Goals are set for the individual – with regards to both personal and professional aspects of their life. Through this process, leaders understand the importance of building Visions, Values and Goals and using these as tools to influence themselves and consequently their team members.

Leadership and Influence

Once creative leaders have an idea of their own Vision, Values and Goals, they align these with the organisation by building shared Visions and Values and creating a sense of community within the organisation.

When the programme is complete the participant will have a sense of self and personal purpose which will influence their behaviour and attitude towards their life and the envirionments they find themselves in, in a holistic way. Leadership is about influence. If you cannot influence your own actions how can you influence others?

Practical application allows us to explore the concept of team learning and how through this (team learning), individuals are capable of contributing towards a team synergy – where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts – as the barriers of judgement, cynicism and fear are reduced.

Course Outcome

The course has many outcomes. These include improved leadership style utilising creative methods, improved attitude towards work and fellow employees, improved behaviour with regards to other employees (tolerance for diversity), an improved sense of self awareness and personal strengths and weaknesses. Other outcomes include improved decision making, communication, motivation, and conflict resolution for the individuals and teams who take part in the programme.

Course Duration

The course has three levels – Beyond Thinking I is a three day workshop. We address key concepts within the course and this level is ideal for team building and development.

Beyond Thinking II is an 8 day course that is held over a period of time that would be best suited to the client. For example it can be delivered as 16 x half day sessions over a period of 6 months or 8 day sessions over there months. This programme is significantly more detailed and includes practical exercises to be carried out in the work environment to provide the participants with experiential learning.

Beyond Thinking III includes the delivery options of level II as well as coaching and mentorship on a one on one basis, so as to provide each participant with individual focus.

Why should Beyond Thinking be Considered?

Beyond Thinking level I is a solid soft skills foundation programme. Levels II and III provide additonal depth and scope with additional team building benefits. The programme addresses many aspects of personal and leadership development which if explored as individual workshops, would result in far higher financial cost to the organisation in workshop fees and employee down time.

Beyond Thinking is thus excellent Value for Money!

Unique Content

Beyond Thinking is also unique in its approach where concepts such as creativity, leadership, the ego, the heart and the will are explored in depth and translated into day to day behaviours. It is a way of life, as true leadership is a way of life.

Improved Market share

Finally Beyond Thinking will support any organisation that realises the relationship between organisational growth and the current economic environment, negatively impacting employee morale and levels of innovation. Beyond Thinking changes stuck beliefs, attitudes and paradigms opening up possibility for new thinking and ideas, both of which are invaluable for staff well being and organisational advancement.

Lead Facilitator

Colin Thompson - (CA) SA Colin is Strategic Services Director at Dynamic Growth Training. His area of expertise includes change management, employee wellness and engagement.Colin is also the Lead Facilitator and developer for the innovative Beyond Thinking leadership and team development programme. He has lectured at Pretoria Technikon and Private Colleges on Small Business Management and also offers inspirational and motivational public talks as well as co-hosts his own radio programme.

Diane Collier – BSoc Sci, ACC Certified Executive Coach, Registered Constituent Assessor. Diane is the Managing Director of Dynamic Growth Training (Pty) Ltd. and her main focus is in supporting clients to develop their internal culture and resources for ongoing learning and development.She is also an Integral Coach which methodology is well suited for business coaching as the focus is on you developing the resourcefulness in the areas where you specifically require change to take place while taking into consideration your current and future opportunities and possibilities.