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Cross Cultural Leadership and Communication Skills

Welcome to our global leadership management training program. Our leadership academy offers cross-cultural leadership and global communication skills for executives, team leaders and high potential staff who work in international organizations.

 

What is “leadership skills” training?

Unlike traditional management courses, which focus on learning procedures and systems in lecture style environments, leadership training focuses on the development of communication skills and behaviors so that participants can understand what is needed to work cross-functionally, cross-regionally and cross-culturally. Participants are encouraged to control sessions assertively and creatively. The role of the trainer is to coach and support rather than instruct and control.

How do participants learn and develop skills?

Our approach combines two methodologies. The first is the traditional trainer-led approach, or “expert based training” .The second is a more abstract but highly effective approach based on “reflection and learning” or  “learning by doing”.  This approach attempts to mimic “on the job” training but in a safe training environment. We combine the two approaches, taking the best parts of each.

During the course, participants can choose to work on real individual challenges and organizational issues. Participants identify a real organizational issue then create a project team that works together to solve this “real” issue. While working on this project participants learn about themselves and recognize behaviors of others. They take the positives from others’ behavior and add it to their skill set. We support this “learning by doing” approach with accepted models on effective leadership skills and communication modules. (Expert based training )  Our highly experienced program coaches link various communication and leadership tools with actual behaviors of group participants. Approximately 50% of the program is allocated to individual or organizational project development, and 50% based on the development of communication and leadership skills. This combination helps participants integrate new techniques and skills into the training room and more importantly into their real work lives.

What are the benefits of the program for participants?

  • Participants understand how to become strong communicators and future leaders in global organizations.
  • Reflection and self-discovery allow participants the opportunity to clearly identify strengths and weaknesses in themselves and others.
  • Participants learn about the value of team leadership, team membership and the importance of participation.
  • Stronger relationships and communication channels are created across departments, making it easier for participants to empathize with other team members.
  • During “real project” sessions participants improve meeting management, negotiating, dealing with conflict, decision-making, time management and many more soft skills.
  • Participants can relate training goals and skills directly to their jobs, enabling better skill transference.
  • Participants become more confident communicating in a second language.

What are the benefits for your organization?

  • High-potential staff and future leaders are identified
  • Real organizational issues can be solved or procedures improved.
  • Improved cross-functional team environments, breaking down divisional walls.
  • Improved project management skills and better communication channels leading to better outcomes, reduction in conflict and improved team performance
  • The development of high-performing leaders, who can lead your organization through expansion, cultural challenges and change.

Who is the program suitable for?

Essentially the program is aimed at executives and team leaders. However high-potential staff who are future leaders can also greatly benefit from this kind of self-development in the early stages of their careers.

What is the program structure?

The final structure and outline of the course will vary depending on participant numbers, company needs and module topics. Typically the program is conducted over multiple modules with various sessions held at the client’s convenience. An example of a typical course program is as follows:

 

1) Pre-Course Activities
  • Coach and participant goal setting meetings (When possible, goals to be combined with individual development plans.)
  • Completion of personality test
  • Participants are asked to identify an individual communication challenge they face within their organizations.
  • Completion of essential reading materials.

 

2) Self-Awareness -  “What are my natural strengths and assets as a potential leader and global communicator?”
  • Group discussions based on participant personality tests, which help participants understand their natural tendencies and behaviors better.
  • Identification of participants' natural strengths and weaknesses.
  • Group plans based on how participants can build on strengths while overcoming weaknesses (Expert based and peer-to-peer coaching)
  • Introduction of individual participant challenges. (Expert based and peer-to-peer coaching based on these challenges)
  • Expert based and peer-to-peer coaching sessions in supportive group workshops
  • Investigation into cultural aspects that have an impact on our performances in global situations.
  • Development of awareness in how context and cultural differences play a major role in successful communications
  • Controlled group case studies and assignments further re-enforcing “reflection – learning” techniques and the introduction of accepted cross-cultural communication and leadership methodologies “expert based training.” (Case studies and activities based on chosen module blocks and company needs.)
 
3) Team Leadership – “How can I become a better team leader and member?”
  • Identification of  “real” organizational issues that participants can work on as part of a project team.
  • Implementation of individual and group communication skills practiced in previous module.
  • Regular meetings and sessions to: review progress, discuss concepts and learn further cross-cultural communication techniques and leadership methodologies.
  • Regular reflection on group / individual behaviors. (1:1 or group feedback sessions)
  • Cross-cultural awareness and its role in effective project management and leadership.
  • Group presentations based on final proposal for the chosen project
  • In-depth review of communication tactics, behaviors and communication techniques used throughout the program. Reflection based on individual and group performance. What did they learn? How can new skills be implemented into the organization?
 
4) Post Course Activities
  • As with most of our courses, creation of individual action plans that can help transfer skills. (These action plans can also be cross-referenced by managers so that even after training is finished self-development can be monitored and continued.
  • Individual one-to-one course performance review meetings between coach and trainee.
  • Further follow-up meeting usually around 1 to 2 months after course completion to review action plan. Have trainees transferred skills successfully? Discussion based on successes / failures, review of team and individual performances.

What is the duration of the course?

This depends on the number of participants and modules chosen. The sample course above with full individual and organizational development would be 20 to 30 hours. These speculative course time-lines do not include pre and post course meetings.

Other information:

Module blocks

Because each program is tailor-made to each organization's needs, module content may differ. We also offer learning blocks that are based on more specific business communication skills. These specific modules focus on leadership and communication skills in specific functions including:

  • Conflict management
  • Team coaching
  • Team building
  • Project development
  • Creative thinking
  • And many more

 

For full list please contact us at: