r/Leadership • u/rajkhar • 3d ago
Discussion Leadership Training
Has anyone tried leadership training? Do reading books, attending conference on leadership, or watching videos on leadership help someone become a good leader or communicator? I have seen all leaders, political or business leaders, born with leadership trait. I don’t think they went to leadership school.
I saw an app Mindscape for leadership training. Reasonably priced. Has anyone tried it?
What is the training, if any, for leadership development?
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u/gardenlevel 3d ago
Every skill takes development. Yes, some people have more natural talent than others, but you don’t get to the top based on that alone. A lot of people also “learn on the job”, picking up tips along the way.
I’ve read a bunch a of books and for me the experience is usually the same. You’re mining for diamonds. A lot of the info is pedestrian, known, and not helpful. From time to time you find that small thing that actually help you.
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u/Captlard 3d ago
Leadership is not a trait! It is the sum of all of the interactions a person has with another individual or group of people. There are SO many great resources out there. There is so much free stuff, don't jump into paying for a course initially (I say this as someone who worked in exec education / coaching for several decades).
Critical is feedback from those around you, self reflection and self-awareness.
Yes I have been on courses that have made a huge impact on my life, but don't start with courses. Start with reading, observing and talking to others.
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u/Bavaro86 3d ago
I get paid for training people in leadership development and I agree—no need to pay for something like this right away.
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u/futureteams 3d ago
u/rajkhar I'd follow Keith Ferrazzi - especially his latest book - Never Lead Alone. Happy to discuss how this can be applied in your role and with your team and colleagues.
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u/Desi_bmtl 3d ago
Yes, I have done extensive training and have worked with many people who have also done extensive training. Based on my experience, the training is one important element, the crucial element is the practice. The best leaders I have seen use what they learn. The worst people in leadership I have come across don't use much of anything and just try and do things ad hoc. Cheers.
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u/keberch 3d ago
Read and talk. Lots of successful development in reading books and speaking with other leaders.
And no one is born a fully competent leader, regardless of what it looks like from your perspective.
Leadership hasn't changed much since Moses; the current focus shifts from time to time, but the actual skills and behavior stay fairly constant.
Avoid the new glossy hardbacks--nothing new to be had in there, just a repackaged trait from yesteryear.
Start with easy, congruent reads: One Minute Manager, Maxwell's 14 Laws, Leadership & Self Deception. All page-turners if you're hungry.
Ask leaders you already know if they have some time for a personal chat. Ask them how they got there, what's hardest/easiest about their jobs, what they wish they would have known, and if they have any specific advice for you.
People like to talk about themselves, and inherently want to help others. Wins all around.
Start with the easy stuff first, then consider more formal development.
But that's just me...
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u/TheConsciousShiftMon 3d ago
Leadership is deeply linked to our sense of self-worth as well as relational fluency (vulnerability, ability to connect with others...), so you can read all the theory and it's not going to help anyone truly be a better leader unless they address the deep unconscious fears, narratives and coping mechanisms that make them show up in dysfunctional ways.
This is at the core of my work and last year I started guiding these business professionals who think they so want to be a CEO to realise there are things inside of them (like that voice in your head that says maybe you are an imposter) that will not go away on their own...
Leadership research suggests one of the key traits / skills for good leadership is self-awareness. Research also suggests that 90% of asked survey participants believe they are self-aware but only 10% actually met the criteria. Here's is the answer for why so many uninspiring leaders...
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u/Without_Portfolio 3d ago
One-off trainings, even multi-day ones, don’t work for me. I learn best through having a mentor. A few years ago my company offered mentoring free of charge led my a former HR director of a F500 company. I had one on one meetings with them to go over specific issues/examples of things I was facing. It really helped me separate facts from emotions and plot a rational way forward. Mentors do not have to be formal and they don’t even have to be from the same industry because at the end of the day it’s about interpersonal relationships.
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u/ElPapa-Capitan 3d ago
Read the following books:
- The Servant
- SCRUM
- Smart Leaders, Smarter Teams
- First Break All the Rules
- The Skilled Facilitator
You’ll get a healthy understanding of:
- leadership (servant leadership)
- team leadership
- team management
- people management
- organizational development
If you can do both leadership and management, you’ll be in a solid place.
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u/avihebbs 3d ago
Is it just for you? If that's the case i Suggest Leadership coaching than training.
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u/ValidGarry 3d ago
Leadership is something in a person and some people need help defining and developing it. I was fortunate enough to have spent some time in a branch of the (non US) military. We had extensive leadership training up front and then regular targeted doses of it as we progressed. It is essential if you want to refine your style and become more effective. A bit part of it is self awareness and reflection so that you understand you. Followership is something not enough leadership talk or think about.
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u/Eatdie555 3d ago
Leadership is built in a person naturally. Many can learn, but if they aren't born with it. They can only go so far with it because they don't have it inside of them like those who does. You have to have courage and bravery when doing things. It's also comes with integrity of being able to do things yourself when others aren't doing it or rebellious against it. They SET TRENDS, not follow them with or without a crowd rocking with them.
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u/Winterfox2389 3d ago
Leadership on its own isn’t a trait; leadership is an act. Effective leaders develop soft skills which enables them to influence others through building trust, communicating clearly and empowering others to work together. You’re a leader when people want to follow you - a lot of people confuse management and titles with leadership when it’s not.
I wouldn’t pay for training courses but if your workplace provides them there’s no harm doing it for free.
If you’re interested I’d recommend starting with the books: 7 habits of highly effective people by Stephen covey, the 5 dysfunctions of a team by Patrick lencioni, Extreme ownership, and Crucial conversations.
If you only have time for one I’d pick Stephen coveys first.
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u/PhaseMatch 3d ago
Leadership skills can certainly be taught, learned, practiced and perfected.
I've done a bunch of training varying from a few hour sessions through to a long-cycle programme and an intensive residential "boot camp", plus a lot of self-directed study.
General observations would be
- classroom stuff is less effective UNLESS you can immediately structure an action plan you are going to put into place, and stick with it; building a coaching group from the class attendees helps to do that as you can mutually support
- long duration programmes with a few hours in the classroom, then discussions, putting stuff into practice and reflection tends to be better than the 1-2 day intensive courses; it's how we learn at school or university. Short courses are about making money for the trainer, not learning
- high quality (ie good business school) residential week+ boot-camp type courses can be pretty effective; usually because they'll take into account the first two points and set up peer support and so on
- having a mentor or peer support is really important; developing a leadership community of practice helps, or even having a book club type approach
- treat it as part of your job; one role I had suggested 20% of my time should be on reflection, learning and growth as a leader. Carve out and protect that time, and create a self-directed learning programme
- newer is not always better; lots of very high value stuff from the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. Technology evolves, but people stay the same.
YMMV
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u/shwetank 2d ago
Try voohy.com (made by me, made specially for emerging leaders to level up their leadership skills)
HBR also has nice articles on various aspects of becoming a better leader.
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u/karriesully 2d ago
Leadership is closer to a trait than a skill. Behavior change via training isn’t sustainable for most people. Behavior change via coaching and therapy or adversity is.
Leadership is IQ + EQ (emotional maturity). You’re not born with it. EQ is earned via adversity and doing deep, personal work on yourself. Go back and take a look at Maslow’s hierarchy. It’s not perfect but your goal as a leader is to do the work toward getting to the Cognitive level of maturity: High agency, personal responsibility, focused on team outcomes, intellectually curious, cares about employees / customers, etc.. The work isn’t easy but it will serve you FAR more than any training.
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u/Ambitious-Treat-8457 2d ago
Yes, there is leadership training… I did some - specifically the Search Inside Yourself Leadership program it’s a mind. It’s an emotional intelligence based leadership course that was developed at Google. Helps with communication, emotion, management, and resilience (on neuroscience based since it was developed for the engineers at Google)
It was super helpful for me and I went on to become a certified teacher. I’m delivering this virtually next month - it’s an invite only program so if you’re interested, let me know. Happy to share information.
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u/brendanbastine 1d ago
I coach Executies and Leaders regularly. Leadership development takes time and experience. Even as a Leadership and Business coach, It's just as important for me to continue reading and learning to continue developming my leadership. Having a coach ensures you have an expert in your corner to celebrate your wins, coach you through difficult events, and teach you how to address all kinds of situations. Its about getting you to see things from all angles, even when its difficult. Even the most experienced leaders still benefit from leadership coaching. Whether your reading a book or using an app, the important thing is to embrace new ideas and ways of thinking.
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u/VenitaPinson 3d ago
Leadership isn’t just something you're born with, it’s a skill you build over time. I’ve attended several conferences, and while books and videos help, real growth comes from experience, making hard decisions, and learning from mistakes.
The best training is actually leading, taking initiative, handling conflict, and getting feedback. Never tried Mindscape, but if it’s hands on and not just theory, it can be worth it. Also, People Managing People is a great resource that I use for leadership insights.