Course 1 - Developing Skills for Leadership Excellence

Summary: This workshop is a tool for your leadership development. It is designed to help you create and accomplish your personal best, and to help you lead others to get extraordinary things done.

At its core, leadership means setting goals, lighting a path, and persuading others to follow. But the responsibility entails much more. Leaders must get their message out in a way that inspires, make the most of their limited time, and build roads to precious resources. They must negotiate alliances, improve their colleagues, and align the ambitions of the many with the needs of the organization.

What makes for a great leader? Is it something to do with inward characteristics, such as confidence and focus? Is it more about outward presence, including charm and compassion? Or is it about the ability to create a vision and get others to commit to it?

The answer is all of the above. By accepting the challenge to lead, you come to realize that the only limits are those you place on yourself.

Introduction and Course Overview

You will spend the first part of the day getting to know participants and discussing what will take place during the workshop. Students will also have an opportunity to identify their personal learning objectives.

About the Learning Organization

In the first session, participants will explore Peter Senge's vision of a learning organization. Is your company one where all employees are committed to lifelong learning? How can it encourage continual growth and development?

Achieving Personal Mastery

Next, participants will identify some strategies for understanding what our own strengths are, as well as where we want to go.

Analyzing Our Mental Models

Often, we create our own realities without even realizing that we do so. This session will give participants some ways to explore and change their own mental models.

Achieving a Shared Vision

This session will give participants some ideas for building commitment within a team using shared vision. Participants will also explore a model that will help them move their team to greater independence.

Team Learning

Next, participants will learn what a leader's role is in a team, and how to lead them through a discussion to reach an agreement point.

Systems Thinking

To wrap up the morning, participants will look at some different cycles and what impact they may play in team efficiency.

Understanding Leadership

In this session, participants will study Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard's Situational Leadership II model, which outlines four leadership profiles. Participants will also explore their own style; learn about servant leadership; and look at leadership in an organization through practices like onboarding, orientation, and performance management.

Five Practices

Day One will conclude with information on five essential leadership practices that experts James Kouzes and Barry Posner have identified. Participants will explore these practices through two exercises and some group discussion.

Building Trust

Day Two of this workshop will begin by looking at how trust and performance are related, and how a leader can build trust in team members.

Managing Change

Next, participants will learn ways to successfully lead a group through change. Participants will have an opportunity to work through a personal change scenario and to apply learning points to a case study.

The Four Room Apartment

Psychologist Claes Janssen describes the process of change like moving from one room to another in a four-room apartment. This session will look at the key aspects of that theory.

Time Management Tips and Tricks

To wrap up the morning of Day Two, participants will learn some ways to organize their workspace, conquer e-mail, and manage their time more effectively.

Managers vs. Leaders

In this session, participants will explore the differences between management and leadership.

Types of Thinking

Next, participants will learn about directional vs. consequential thinking. A brief discussion on ethics is included.

Influence Strategies

At the very core of leadership is the ability to influence people. This session will give participants some ways to persuade individuals to change. Robert Cialdini's influence strategies will also be covered.

Managing Relationships

Day Two will conclude with a detailed look at different aspects of relationships, including the relationship cycle, leading a team through conflict, and managing stress.

A Simple Problem Solving Process

Day Three will begin with an introduction to a simple, systematic problem solving process that participants can apply in any situation. Participants will also have an opportunity to apply the steps to a personal problem.

Strategic Planning

In this session, participants will learn about the SWOT technique, which helps to identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of any person, organization, product, service, or process.

Doing Delegation Right

This session will give participants an opportunity to practice delegation through a group exercise and a role play. Participants will also learn about the different levels of delegation.

Criteria for Useful Feedback

To wrap up the morning, participants will receive some tips for giving good feedback.

Feedback Techniques

Next, participants will delve deeper into the art of feedback and learn some specific techniques. Constructive criticism will also be discussed.

Mastering Your Body Language

We are always sending signals to others, whether we like it or not. Body language combined with vocal tone can override or even cancel the meaning of the words we say! In this session, participants will learn how to master the art of body language and subtle signals.

Meeting Management

Did you know that the average manager wastes seven to ten hours per week in meetings? In this session, participants will learn how to make the most of meetings.

Pumping Up a Presentation

Next, participants will learn seven steps to pump up a presentation.

Personal Development

To wrap up the workshop, participants will review their pre-assignment and identify next steps.

	Hire Rick Saldan's Motivational Magic to Energize Your Conference or Special Event! Rick says, With perseverance, drive, and vision, you can achieve what once seemed impossible. I encourage you to strive toward your vision for a new future -- one that energizes your gifts, your passions and your untapped hidden potential! Rick's ideas, messages, strategies, and first-hand stories of overcoming adversity against all the odds will inspire your people. They become enthused, excited, and committed to take massive action that impacts your bottom line. Your return on investment is powerful.   Rick is a unique motivational speaker and  seminar leader that combines comedy, theatrical illusions and extensive audience interaction with inspirational presentations. He creates a powerful and enjoyable  learning experience, guaranteeing to make your conference or special event an outstanding success!   Contact Rick Today!

Some of Rick's Motivational Milestones:
		Earned the Triple Crown Award with Toastmasters International in January, 2018.   Served as Director Area E-51, District 38, 2017-18
		Earned the Advanced Communicator Gold with Toastmasters International in January, 2018.
		Graduated from the Dale Carnegie Sales Course Instructor program and the Dale Carnegie Basic Instructor Course in August, 2002.
		Earned the Certified Speaking Professional designation with the National Speakers Association in July, 2001.
		Graduated from the Accelerated Freefall Course and became a licensed parachutist and skydiver in August, 1998.
		Earned the Microsoft Certified Professional designation in July, 1997.
		Graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island and earned the title of United States Marine in May, 1992.
Some of Rick's Delighted Clients:
		We brought Rick in to be our speaker for our annual conference program for all of our regional sales managers throughout the country. This is a hard-nosed group who have seen it all, yet Rick engaged them with finesse. He challenged them and inspired them. Rick is an exceptionally talented individual who I highly recommend.   John Erard, Director of Sales & Marketing Lord, Abbett & Co. Investment Managers
		Rick has a magical approach that provides a clear and concise message specifically designed to the needs of his audience. Rick will provide all the motivational magic you will ever need, propelling your organization to the next level of greater success.   Thomas Mulhern Frontier Communications
		We were delighted with the training and instruction provided by Rick Saldan on a variety of courses and seminars. He has proven himself to be a very capable instructor, who adapts quickly to challenging situations. He interacted very effectively with our civilian and military personnel. Looking forward to his upcoming sessions.   Michael McGregor, Naval Surface Warfare Center
		We hired Rick to provide two completely different presentations to our sales force and our customer service teams. Both events were lively, dynamic and exciting. We loved how he combined stage magic with his unique insights in both of these specialties. We were all very impressed with his highly creative programs. We loved his passion and enthusiasm as a business speaker. Still trying to figure out how he knew where we hid his paycheck. Totally impossible. More impressive than when Kreskin did that! Richard Rediker, Founder Rediker Software
		Rick's presentation is thoroughly inspiring, entertaining and wonderful! Elizabeth O'Keeffe Random House Publishing
		You can rely on Rick Saldan for any project you get him involved in. Rick will delight your customers, and deliver beyond your expectations. An organization who chooses to bring Rick on board will be lucky to have him, and more successful for having made the decision.   Fred Walker, Dale Carnegie Lead Instructor
		Rick Saldan is an excellent inspirational speaker who tailored the seminar to the needs of the individual students being instructed. This office thanks the Mayors Office of Information Services for having such a vendor. Timothy K. Lynch Office of Fleet Management City of Philadelphia
		Thank you for your awesome presentation. I know that all of my teams loved the program. I love your message and your delivery. I hope that you can spread even more magic throughout the world! Gene McNaughton Vice President of Sales Tony Robbins & Associates
		Rick Saldan has the wit, wisdom and sorcery of a wizard. He has a dynamic personality, and all will enjoy his captivating stories, comedy and magic! Dennis Slaughter Credit Suisse First Boston
		Rick, this letter comes to you with thanks from Prime Bank and all the employees who participated in the training sessions held in our bank and conducted by you. Everyone in attendance has stated what a thorough and enjoyable learning course it was. Michael J. Sexton, Vice President/Controller Prime Bank
		Your training was enjoyable, informative and very useful in helping us to solve some of the day-to-day challenges we encounter at Stockard Shipping. You were very concerned about meeting our particular needs, and tailored your instruction to cover those specific goals that we have had in our office routine. Looking forward to working with you in the future! Frank Signorello Vice President, Sales Stockard Shipping & Terminal Corporation
		You tailored each class to fit the varying needs of the students but also managed to cover topics in your class plan. You maintained your composure and sense of humor in the face of numerous questions and demands. Patricia J. Kosek The Glenmede Trust Company
		I personally commend Mr. Rick Saldan as he has served to be an outstanding, dedicated and loyal individual and a definite asset to our organization and our community. Larry Kovnat Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
		Rick has given of his time, energy and talents to all kinds; from the needy elderly to convicts, from terminally ill patients to runaways. He has strengthened and edified the lives of many. Captain Ross Schwalm, United States Marine Corps
		The oohs and ahhs could be heard for miles as magician and motivational speaker Rick Saldan taught students at the Clarence B. Lamb School how to be possibility thinkers. Dana Forde The New Egypt Press

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