The second part of our program involves leadership skills including people skills. The importance of these skills is best illustrated in the following graphic.
 Consider the layers of a typical organizational structure. The first level includes the individual contributors. These are the people that do the majority of the work to produce the organization's products. The primary skills needed at this level are technical skills - how to perform the tasks. While these may be highly qualified or specialized skills, they are, nonetheless, technical job related skills learned through job training. Only a relatively small amount of people skills are required at this level. Employees at this level must possess some people skills to co-exist with their co-workers and their boss.
The next organizational level includes the supervisors. Notice the significant shift in the skills required at this level. Most supervisors are promoted from within the organization. But now their number one responsibility is developing other people - to develop other super workers - to teach - to lead - to manage.
Continuing up the organizational levels we see the shift continue from technical skills to leadership skills. The higher we go, the more leadership skills become important to our success.
When we look at leadership skills, and begin to realize their increasing importance the higher up the corporate ladder we go, we must begin to identify what they are and how they are developed.
A statement we often hear is "Well, he/she is just a natural born leader". Too often this observation is used to contrast a good leader with a poor leader and provides a convenient excuse to dismiss or excuse a poor leader (he/she is just not leadership material).
Let us be clear - No one is a born leader. Leaders are made - not born. While some people seem to adapt to a leadership role better than others, the skills needed to become a good leader are developed - not genetic. Characteristics like being a good communicator, motivator, mentor, or coach are developed. Creating a vision and strategic plan, mobilizing teams, and generating commitment and motivation are all learned skills. While different leaders possess different skills and characteristics in different amounts, it is widely agreed and accepted that leaders are made not born. Furthermore, leadership is more a matter of self development than external situations. If you want to become a better leader - a better manager, you can. If you want to develop leadership in your team, you can.
The human relation skills that we cover in our development programs become immediately profitable. Through reinforcement, they become a part of your normal operating style - part of your attitude!
More information about Leadership Skills is available in our free leadership articles.
The third component of our program is goal-setting. Read more .....
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