About the Course

Strategic leadership is the practice whereby leaders develop and communicate a vision for their organisation, division or function and then lead it towards realising that vision. In order to get there, a sound strategic plan is required that serves as a reliable roadmap, as well as methodologies and tactics that are nimble enough to adapt to the many challenges and obstacles that will present themselves along the way. At the same time, a leadership approach is required that involves, inspires and enables the people within the organisation to execute against the strategy.

This is by no means an easy feat, and competent managers, directors and executives have usually built their strategic leadership skillset over many years. They can look back on both trial and error and triumph and failure.

This intensive 5-day Advanced Strategic Leadership Excellence training course presents the delegates with the opportunity to raise their strategic leadership skills to a new level and add valuable new techniques and methodologies to their existing toolboxes. By considering new viewpoints, working with real-world examples and engaging in a strategy simulation exercise, delegates will get the chance to immerse themselves in an environment that considerably broadens their strategic mindset, insight and experience.

Core Objectives

Delegates will achieve the following objectives:

• Build a solid foundation on which to execute strategy
• Explore different approaches for devising a strategy
• Learn how to calibrate your team - and have them drive your strategy
• Identify and eliminate key strategic errors and other pitfalls
• Discover how to inspire and mobilise people to deliver your strategy
• Learn how to drive strategic change and transformation
• Navigate volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity

Training Approach

This training course is driven by a blended learning approach and draws on various adult learning techniques such as action learning, experiential exercises, group discussions, video case studies, role play and self-reflection activities. The resulting variety helps delegates stay engaged throughout the course, feel challenged and draw quick wins for their development. It also ensures delegates are exposed to ample opportunities to apply what they learn to the real-world challenges they face back in the workplace.

The Attendees

This training course is suitable for anyone in a leadership or managerial position who wishes to develop their strategic leadership skillset or for those who might be moving into a strategic management position in the near future.

Likewise, it will be valuable to the professionals but not limited to the following:

• Senior Managers and Directors
• Functional / Divisional Leaders
• Mid-Level Managers and Executives
• Individuals who were recently promoted into leadership roles
• Anyone who benefits from gaining a broad strategic view and skillset

Daily Discussion

DAY ONE: VISION AND PURPOSE - YOUR STRATEGIC FOUNDATION

• Beginning with the end in mind: Re-imagining your Vision & Mission
• The rise of the purpose-driven Organisation
• Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
• Congruency of Vision, Purpose and Strategy
• Assessing Viability, Obstacles and Risks

DAY TWO: THE STRATEGIC PROCESS

• The six fundamental elements of the strategic plan
• Understanding your Strategic Position: The SWOT & PESTLE Models
• Avoiding Strategic Errors and Pitfalls
• The Strategic Planning Cycle
• Systems Thinking & the Systemic Loop
• Incremental Adjustments vs Major Restructuring

DAY THREE: DRIVING STRATEGY WITH IMPACTFUL LEADERSHIP

• Developing your Strategic Leadership Mindset
• Structuring your Team to Drive Strategy
• Stakeholder Management
• Influence and Persuasion
• Creating a High-performance Environment
• Enabling your workforce to deliver your strategy

DAY FOUR: LEADING IN TURBULENT TIMES

• Leading in Volatile Environments
• Navigating Uncertainty and Ambiguity
• Strategic Execution in Complex Settings
• Crisis Planning and the ‘what if x 3’ principle
• Fostering Resilience

DAY FIVE: CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION

• Change: A close companion of the strategic leader
• Understanding Human Reactions to Change
• Kotter’s 8-Step Model for Leading Strategic Change
• Five ingredients for Sustainable Change
• Development Planning & Close