Leadership development is a game-changer for businesses and individuals alike. Tailored training can equip leaders to navigate challenges, inspire teams, drive organisational success and nurture future leaders. Yet, many organisations overlook the opportunity to invest in their managers – and the statistics tell a compelling story:
● 94% of employees say they would stay longer at a company that invests in learning and development (LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report).
● Training improves a company's productivity by 17% and profitability by 21% (Gallup Report).
● 84% of employees in top-performing organisations receive training, compared to just 16% in low-performing ones (IBM Training Study).
These figures reveal how impactful leadership training can be. The question is: how can you develop programmes that meet the needs of both the business and its people?
The Art of Balancing Needs
Leadership training is not just about ticking boxes – it’s about creating bespoke solutions that align with the unique goals of an organisation while empowering individuals to grow. Employees today expect training to go beyond their current roles and pave a path for their career advancement.
Gallup finds that 70% of the variance in a team's engagement is linked to the quality of leadership. Therefore, as a leader, you play an important role in shaping an engaged workforce with the relationships you build. However, many managers feel underprepared due to ineffective training, and this is where tailored programmes excel, addressing specific organisational challenges while equipping managers with the skills they need to lead effectively.
Addressing Challenges of Modern Leadership
In recent years, the workplace has undergone significant change. Today, leaders must:
● Navigate AI and automation: As AI tools become integral to daily operations, leaders must understand how to leverage technology while maintaining a human touch. This involves identifying where automation can boost productivity without compromising creativity or morale.
● Lead remotely: Remote and hybrid teams demand new approaches to communication, collaboration, and trust-building. The ability to create team cohesion across time zones is a critical skill for modern leaders.
● Support flexibility: Employees increasingly value flexible schedules and work-life balance. Leaders need training to manage teams in this context, including handling the nuances of flexible hours, asynchronous (aka async) working and burnout prevention.
● Adapt to new working patterns: With more organisations experimenting with four-day work weeks, leadership training must help managers plan workflows and set realistic goals to ensure productivity doesn’t suffer.
These challenges require more than reactive management – they demand leaders who can proactively address change, inspire their teams and drive strategic success. Therefore, effective leadership training should focus on practical application, equipping leaders with actionable tools. Whether through simulations, case studies or real-world problem-solving, training should focus on challenges leaders will likely face.
Strong communication underpins every aspect of effective leadership. It’s crucial to train leaders in active listening, conflict resolution and virtual communication strategies to bridge gaps and maintain clarity, no matter the working environment. Whether through online modules, in-person sessions, or a mix of both, leadership training can be more effective when offering bite-sized learning options and self-paced courses to ensure participants engage meaningfully without disrupting their roles. Ultimately, it’s not a one-and-done event. At GBS Corporate Training, we encourage teams to revisit and build on their skills over time, fostering a commitment to continual growth.
Flexibility: Meeting Leaders Where They Are
We specialise in delivering tailored leadership training that fits around your organisation's schedule, location and needs. From in-person sessions to digitally delivered courses, our bespoke approach ensures that training meets logistical needs and leadership goals. For leaders seeking to take their skills to the next level, our distance learning programmes provide greater flexibility. Delivered through Brighton School of Business and Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of GBS Corporate Training, these courses allow learners to gain undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in Business and Management.
Building Better Leaders Starts Here
Leadership training isn’t about applying a single formula—it’s about recognising the unique needs of your organisation and its people. Whether you want to develop core leadership competencies or support your leaders with advanced qualifications, we’re here to help. Explore how GBS Corporate Training can help you design the perfect leadership programme for your team. You can also learn more about our Flexi Days here, whereby we can help you build a flexible day of learning with bite-size courses. Together, we can build a training programme that empowers your leaders and drives organisational success. For further information or advice, please contact us here.
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