Introduction to Management & Leadership for Professionals

Most managers are still appointed for their technical or operational skills rather than their ability to manage other people. However, being a "boss" is a totally new game. There is no simple formula for being successful as a manager. Managing other people involves insight, empathy and a measure of boldness. Managers need to make judgements about complex matters and strike the right balance between tasks, business goals and care for people. It is not a skill that is natural for most people; it has to be learned, and not in the same way that technical skills are learned.

This two day programme is an excellent opportunity for you to learn some of these new skills in a safe and supportive environment. At the end of each day you will have the opportunity to complete your personal action plan encouraging you to stretch your learning to the next level.

Venue may change up to 14-days before the course start date. Enquire for dates.

What will you gain?

You will learn how to motivate and develop your team to continuously improve their performance. You'll also develop your skills and confidence to deal decisively with difficult situations and to present yourself with impact.

You will gain a greater understanding of yourself, in terms of your preferred way of thinking and behaviour, and how to work effectively with people who are different to you in order to get the best outcome.

Explanations of current management theory and practice will be combined with practical exercises to give you confidence in your management style. You’ll leave equipped with the skills to tackle the team leader role head on.

Programme outline

Day 1 – The Journey begins with you

“You can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

You need to be aware of and understand the impact your preferred way of thinking and behaving has on others and more importantly the perception other people have of you. This is essential if you want master the art of management skills. You will also need to lead your team effectively, utilising different leadership styles depending on their development need, and to motivate them to give their best performance. How you manage your time and delegate work to your team will have a direct impact on your personal effectiveness.

This session will help you:

• gain a better understanding of yourself and others, using the Myers Briggs Type Indicator tool
• acknowledge what behaviours works well and explore strategies where things could be done differently
• understand the four basic leadership styles and when to use them effectively
• flex your leadership style to turn around performance problems
• achieve your objectives through managing resources and being proactive
• identify your prime time and manage your energy cycle
• delegate without feeling guilty

Day 2 – Presenting with Impact and Presence

“It takes 30 seconds to make an impact.” Albert Mehrabian, Silent Messages, Wadsworth, 1971,1985

You need to have the ability to communicate and present your ideas clearly and with impact. This is a very powerful management skill to have and one that is often overlooked by junior/middle managers. Projecting the right image can mean the difference between success and failure. It is as important to prepare yourself as it is to prepare for your meetings/presentations. You also need to build rapport as this is essential for effective communication, building relationships & influencing others. This session is a must if you want to develop yourself to your full potential.

This session will help you:

• explore different tools for building rapport and relationships with people
• understand the importance of body language, tone of voice and influential language patterns when communicating
• improve your listening skills
• implement tips for presenting yourself with impact
• explore different influencing tools depending on the situation
• step out of your comfort zone and increase your confidence
• create an action plan to take your new learning forward

This two day course is aimed at individuals who are currently, or aspire to be, team leaders, managers and supervisors. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to learn or improve their skills in this area with confidence, creditability and an awareness of their management style, no matter their level of experience. This course is ideal for ALL newly or recently qualified accountants who aspire to junior or middle management roles.