Nothing of great consequence happens without leadership. Those who struggle in business acknowledge that simple truth. While few leaders admit it, credible research tells us the increasing complexity and volatility that accompany mission success and growth in these uncertain, turbulent, paradoxical times now outruns the leadership capabilities of most senior executives. If you’re one of those, you understand that. As stakeholder expectations and demands on the job grow bigger, you get disoriented if not lost in unfamiliar, perplexing and even daunting new circumstances. You then hit a wall of self-doubt and ineffectiveness – a growth stall – where doubling down on the practices that worked in the past just digs a deeper hole for your organization to climb out of. This is when your leadership conundrum escalates into a crisis.
This one-of-a-kind learning experience redefines the meaning of leadership today. It was designed and is led by someone who has dealt with thousands of business leaders as clients, coachees and students as well as being the subjects of various government accountability audits and crisis interventions. He knows exactly what makes a poor leader, a good leader and a great leader. The program is not a philosophical discussion about what leadership is – that’s provided in supplemental readings which are optional. Rather the focus is on what you need to know to lead others to greatness in uncertain times. It identifies the uncomfortable truths, explains the new realities, and answers the critical questions every leader must contemplate and then confidently address. If this is your challenge, this program could also be about reinventing your approach to leading others.
The need for perceptive, competent and adaptive leaders has never been greater. Few were actually taught how to deal with the circumstances they face today. And the simple truth is that not everyone can be a leader. Research suggests that perhaps over 80% ultimately fail – they were hired or promoted by presumably smart gatekeepers only to discover they didn’t have “what it now takes” to be there. Countless studies say about 40% flame out in their first 18 months. And the lessons learned in the past, in a less frenetic business environment, no longer work in today’s increasingly disruptive, unpredictable, hyper-competitive marketplace. Simply put, leadership must evolve and adapt in sync with rapidly changing events, new technologies and economy-crushing black swans. The increasing complexity that accompanies rapid scaling and quite different employee expectations voids the old play books. If your game isn’t improving by at least 10% every year, you’re falling behind.
Turnover at the top has increased dramatically in the post-pandemic era. The bar has been raised. Owners and boards are now asking whether they have the right leadership competencies and mindset in place to address the uncertainties and increasing stakeholder demands. The current business media says almost 70% of leaders in Canada are “seriously considering” quitting for personal reasons, including the realization they’re “just not up to the task” of delivering higher performance outcomes. This exodus represents new opportunities for those seeking avenues for advancement. If promotion isn’t yet in the cards for you, then learning how to lead from the middle, and being recognized for making a difference, certainly is.
The curricula for each course in this certificate program evolves every year to reflect changing world events, registrant interests and upskilling needs. The program is built to accommodate those who seek either an in-depth treatment of selected topics or who wish to acquire the CPA certificate designation. The full program consists of six webinars with each session supplemented by required pre-course work (relevant readings, diagnostic tools and tasks). While these courses can be taken in any order you choose, the recommended foundation offering consists of three parts. The remaining sessions are single drill-down courses varying in length from 4 to 5 hours. The courses follow:
❏ From Manager to Leader: The Foundation Course (Multi-segment: 12 hours)
❏ Strategic Foresight, Planning and Modeling (4 hours)
❏ Building Innovation Capability (4 hours)
❏ The Science of Fearless Decision Making (5 hours)
❏ Why Successful Companies Fail (4 hours)
❏ Understanding the Human Condition (4 hours)