The company requested proposals for a high impact development programme covering the fundamental leadership skills required by operational managers, supported by a range of ‘elective’ solutions covering specific development topics identified by needs analysis. The overall objective is to deliver operational leaders ready to:
understand the strategic context for their actions
quickly adapt to and champion change
accept ‘distributed’ leadership responsibilities
integrate new teams/products/processes
cope with and lead people through organisational uncertainty
"The LDP is fundamental to our ability to attract and retain the most talented managers. It sends all the right messages that we are delivering on our promise to invest in developing our people"
Corporate Business Development Director
After a competitive tender process Sykes Fairbairn was chosen to design and deliver a 12 month leadership development programme (LDP). Our highly effective, contemporary approach to leadership development is based on an accelerated learning cycle. Development is connected to the strategic context of the business and the challenges facing individual participants.
This LDP consists of a core workshop and a supporting programme of around 9 elective modules. The core programme is designed to develop resilient leaders who are committed to succeed. It builds on the three core leadership outputs of setting direction, creating alignment and building commitment. The core workshop acts as a foundation for the elective programme and both are reinforced by regular review sessions and participant coaching.
We deliver the core workshop using a variety of interactive techniques including music, experiential activity, video and case studies. We deliver this balanced, multi-sensory approach using highly experienced facilitators. Our core workshop design emphasizes the need to experience the pressures of leadership and provides participants an opportunity to practice and demonstrate new skills.
Content modules include: behavioural preferences, the impact of leadership styles, motivation and effective leadership under pressure. In each of these areas we provide simple tools to help leaders to deliver effective results whatever the circumstances and constant feedback and support from facilitators to encourage people to get the most from the learning.
The supporting programme combines mandatory and elective content covering a range of linked topics including Developing a High Performance Culture, Communicating with Impact, Leading Projects, Mentoring and Coaching and Building High Performance Relationships.
Candidates are selected for the LDP by the business on the basis of 180 feedback and line manager recommendation. The first core programme launched in December 2007 with five further programmes during 2008. The supporting programme will start in Q3 2008.
"Overall I felt the course was of a very high quality with first rate facilitators. The experiences from outside of the business world were valuable."
"Very professionally run. I thoroughly enjoyed the course. I thought the course and presenters were excellent."
Operational Managers attending the programme
