| Leadership is one of those things that is easy to | | | | Leadership training must concentrate on several |
| explain, but not always quite so easy to practice. It is | | | | important points in order to be effective. The ability to |
| perhaps for this reason that leadership training is not | | | | make good decisions without undue hesitation is the |
| always taken as seriously as it should be. Those who | | | | mark of a good leader. Any training that can reinforce |
| are in positions of leadership can all too often assume | | | | this quality is definitely going to be worthwhile. Another |
| that they are in total control and have little need if any | | | | essential skill for a leader is simple observation. |
| for training. | | | | Leaders should also be trained to understand the value |
| This somewhat arrogant attitude is understandable to | | | | of observing those working under them, their work |
| some extent, but it does get in the way of progression. | | | | habits and procedures, how they interact with each |
| No matter how good a leader someone may be, they | | | | other, any tension areas and so on. This should |
| can nearly always become a better one with the right | | | | definitely not be done in a way that can be interpreted |
| degree of training. Are you taking your leadership | | | | as spying on the workers. That can be |
| training seriously? You ought to be! | | | | counterproductive. However, understanding the |
| John Burgoyne, who is Professor of Management | | | | mechanics of a workplace is essential to |
| Learning at Lancaster University Management School, | | | | understanding what can be done to improve any part |
| is on record as saying that some of the leadership | | | | of it. |
| development courses are worthwhile, but others are | | | | Training programmes for leaders should cover the |
| simply "a waste." For this reason it is wise to choose | | | | different styles of leadership employed. Some styles |
| the training programme carefully. A development | | | | are more suited to certain types of people, though |
| programme with a proven success record for leaders | | | | workers and how they are likely to react is also |
| is highly likely to have good results and will be taken | | | | something that should be taken into consideration here. |
| more seriously by those attending. | | | | Someone who is too authoritarian is likely to actually |
| Any kind of company training should always have as | | | | restrict the full potential of the workers, while qualities |
| its aim the more effective achievement of the | | | | of charisma and confidence tempered with some |
| company's goals and objectives. In turn this should | | | | understanding can go a long way. |
| mean more company profits and a more efficient and | | | | Leaders are busy people. When they embark on a |
| effective work force. Improved leadership through | | | | development programme of any kind they need to |
| training is one way forward, as is team building. | | | | know that there is likely to be something worthwhile at |
| Together these two kinds of development | | | | the other end. Having the right elements in place within |
| programmes can do wonders, but they have to be | | | | a leadership training programme is essential if the |
| taken seriously at all levels. | | | | programme is to be taken seriously. |