‘ Leadership Development Program: Major Focus Areas’

Introduction:

Every organization has specific goals and objectives. To achieve these goals and objectives, the company must follow certain strategic procedures. A good leader takes up the challenge of leading an entire company. This is part of his/her job requirements. A leader is a leader, be it warfare or a business sector enterprise; he/she is responsible for victory or defeat. A leadership development program in reality articulates this time-honored truth and creates some theoretical premises for the leaders to take up the right step and lead effectively a business or any organization.

• Focusing on Clear Agenda : An organization must have a blue-print of its functions – what, why and how, etc. An LDP can help the company focus on these aspects. A long term vision can give the establishment a broader perspective and an LDP infuses the spirit of the company to all responsible hands and it provides live examples as to how other successful companies have approached leadership development programs.
• Focusing on Shared Language : A team of workers work within a company as a family; but they come from different socio-cultural orientations. It is, therefore, mandatory that they can communicate with ease and comfort. An LDP is a frequent reminder to a cohesive approach that helps the inmates to understand each other better with a shared language. This helps the company function smoothly. That a good communication among the inmates ultimately has positive returns to the company is an empirically established fact.
• Focusing on Vertical and Horizontal Relationship : An LDP stresses on how to develop interpersonal relationship both vertically and horizontally. A vertical relationship refers to one between upper and lower category employers. The horizontal relationship, on the other hand, refers to those among the peers. It is imperative to take care of views coming from up, down or sideways. Little things like appreciating something good, welcoming a suggestion and respecting each and everyone may prove very productive in a company of any dimension.
• Focusing on Constant Improvement : Learning is a never-ending process – it is valid for a leader, as well as a teacher. Since the concept of knowledge is a dynamic process, a leader too has to keep himself abreast of the latest information of his trade. One has to be very meticulous about the new needs for the development of his skill and thereby the health of his/her organization. So an LDP teaches as to how to obtain latest information from seminars, conferences, online and off-line courses, specialized blogs, etc.
• Focusing on Periodic Assessment of Skills: Getting the latest information from different sources may not pledge improvement of skill. Therefore, an LDP stresses that the skill acquired should be periodically measured realistically. In case one finds certain weak areas it should be mended as early as possible. The requirement may vary from profession to profession. There are certain fast-changing areas like technological industry or web-designing, etc. where new skills constantly need up-gradation with the changes in technology. A leader is required to evaluate attainment every now and then.

Rounding Off:

Interestingly, an agency offering the LDP too is subject to the above norms. While imparting knowledge at an institution, the LDP agency too should understand the specific needs of concerns it assesses. There is no short cut to conducting an LDP. The above areas are only a few of the many notionally valid areas and such programs are always need based. Therefore, before conducting an LDP, both the company and the LDP agency must be thoroughly aware of the current situation of the company and also do some research as to what kind of orientation may serve it better. This cross-functional knowledge is absolutely required. After the LDP is over, a participant leader is expected to emerge with self-reliance, cross-functional skills and strategic acumen to initiate substantial amendments to effect growth in company’s economic health and corporate culture.