Step-Up Leadership
Programme

by Deepak Sawhney

Step-Up Leadership Programme

Introduction

Step up is a transition program to prepare and empower employees for managing people leader roles in the organization. Step Up is planned as an intensive virtual developmental journey, consisting of a blend of learning methodologies – VILTs, Tools, Videos and Papers/Articles.

The Learning transfer will happen through sharing models/concepts (15-20% time);  interactive exercises/engagement (70-80% time), reflections (10 % time).

VILT 1

Understanding Leadership Styles, Strengths & Developmental Areas

Module I:

Contracting Methodology: Facilitator Intro/VILT Plan/Ways of Working 

Key Message: Draw the max from the session

Module II:

Leadership Styles

Methodology: Concept Pre-Read – HBR Paper (with questions). Plenary & Debrief – Questions to understand styles Strength and Developmental areas i.e. versatility.

Module III: Motivation & Drivers

Methodology: Personal Drivers – Context and Concept Driver           

Exercise (Individual) – Debrief

1) Share 1-2 examples                       

2) How can this help?

Key Message: Everyone has different drivers – Understanding that that will help you motivate yourself & others to perform

                                       

Module IV: Reflection

Methodology: My Leadership Journey /Stop – Start – Continue

VILT 2

Managing change successfully

Module I: Understand Change   

Methodology:Context & Concept

Participant examples to explain the Change Curve. What gives us the energy to keep moving and ride the curve?

Key Message:Change is cognitive Change is constant, Everyone experiences differently. Help team manage change 

Module II: Resilience         

Methodology: Context and Concept (Video) Eight components of Resilience Poll on “Which I leverage most often?” Plenary on in situations of change/challenge/pressure which components were used? Which can be leveraged more?   

Key Message: When under pressure due change, Lead through values to sustain and move forward. 

Module III: Common Mistakes and Quick Wins Methodology: Introduce all mistakes (8) & Seek ways to overcome mistakes in Plenary Poll on “which ones they are likely to make”           

Key Message: Common mistakes that could derail your journey as leader.         

Module IV: Delegation       

Methodology: Introduce “3- Steps to Delegation” with examples Introduce Delegation Matrix and in Plenary ask participants on diagnosis – How do you identify competence ? How do you identify Motivation ?

Key Message: Connect with common mistake of micromanagement

Module V: Reflection

Methodology: My leadership journey/Stop – Start – Continue Key Message: Develop self and team through delegation 

VILT 3

Managing Stakeholders

Module I: Stakeholder Management

Methodology: Stakeholder Management – Why? Stakeholder Mapping and Prioritization (Influence and Interest Grid) – Introduce and Analysis of stakeholders – Classifying from Unaware to Leading

Assignment – Individual Activity – Identify a Challenge that needs managing a stakeholder – Classify and list actions to be taken. Debrief in Plenary.       

Key Message: Strategize actions to focus on key stakeholders management               

Module II: Effective Conversations   

Methodology: Introduce Conversation Planner – Key skills: Active Listening & Effective Questioning

Exercises Between Facilitator & participants

Videos on Listening (non-judgemental)                   

Key Message: Focus on listening and understanding first ; Challenging Conversations will be higher at senior levels. 

Module III: Effective Relationships

Methodology: Introduce Trust Equation – Credibility, Reliability and Intimacy

EBA – Plenary on What builds trust? What breaks trust?

Key Message: Build relationships based on empathy and trust amongst stakeholders and team.

VILT 4

Building HIGH Performing teams

Module I: Effective Team Working   

Methodology: Introduce Lencioni – 5 Behaviors of Cohesive teams Identifying dysfunctions

Role of Leader in addressing dysfunctions

Challenges of Managing team remotely/virtually (Kellogg Video)

Key Message: Leader takes responsibility to get results by managing 5 behaviours in a team.

Module II: Giving & Receiving Feedback       

Methodology: Why Feedback ?

BOOST Principles of Feedback

Introduce & explain SBI Model with example Show Videos, Draw learnings in Plenary (Done well , can be different)

Key Message: Feedback creates culture of Trust                       

Module III: Reflections

Methodology: My Leadership Journey/Stop- Start- Continue 

Module IV: Reflections

Methodology: My Leadership Journey / Stop- Start- Continue 

VILT 5

Managing teams and others

Module I: Coaching               

Methodology: Introduce Coaching ( a Video) – Coaching Definition ; Revisit Coaching Skills – Listening/ Asking Question/Empathy/Rapport Building Introduce GROW Model –a Video – Debrief in Plenary to draw the Skills.

Quiz on Situations for Coaching

Key Message: The skill is a key part of their role to focus on strengths and potential of team members.

Module II: Conflict Management

Methodology: Define conflict

Introduce TKI Conflict Modes

Situations to apply 5 modes – Open/Chat Quiz

Key Message: Everyone responds differently to conflict situations, Understand their preferences and be more agile. 

Module III: Time Management

Methodology:

Urgent Important Matrix

Group Activity on Prioritization

Key Message: Learn the skills to prioritize tasks and jobs

Module IV: Reflections

Methodology: My Leadership Journey/Stop – Start – Continue 

VILT 6

Managing Others

Module I: Influencing without Authority

Methodology:

Introduction to Styles with Quick Demonstration Group Activity on situations to styles                   

Advantages/ Disadvantages of 4 styles Situations to use the Styles

Key Message: The role is not about getting work done but also “how to go about it”. Personal agility & versatility.

Module II: Collaboration Skills

Methodology:

Introduce Collaboration – Definition Introduce Model for Collaboration – Goals, Role, Processes and Relationships.

Share Case Study and seek inputs in Plenary Barriers to Collaboration               

Key Message: Understand skills and obstacles to collaboration 

Module III: Managing Across Cultures           

Methodology:

5 Key Dimensions of Culture – Working Styles Videos on Body Language/Gestures               

Individual Activity to scale self and others (colleague)

Cross-Cultural Context – Communication (Verbal & Non-Verbal)                       

Group Exercise – Strategies to Manage:

  1. Meetings    
  2. Hierarchy/Protocols
  3. Decision Making
  4. Communication (Verbal and Non verbal)        

Key Message: Build awareness and skills to manage cross cultural diversity.

Module IV: Reflections

Methodology: My Leadership Journey – Stop/ Start/Continue

6 Games:

VILT 1: Amazing Observer

VILT 2: Treasure Tunnels

VILT 3: Code Names

VILT 4: Fishy Equilibrium 

VILT 5: Roads & Rails