Foundations of Creative Leadership

Through a continuous process of adaptation, innovation and transformation, creative leaders are constantly finding new ways to think across boundaries, recognize patterns of opportunity, and thrive in times of uncertainty.

Creative leadership is the capacity to envision future scenarios rich with new possibilities, effectively communicate a vision to others, and inspire people to reach for a shared vision with their full potential.

With deep roots in self-awareness, interpersonal skills and continuous learning, it also embraces the use of the imagination to achieve goals that might otherwise seem impossible. Creative leadership relies on a whole brain approach to leading that includes creative thinking as well as critical thinking.

Below is an example of a basic program that can be customized based on clients' needs. For additional leadership development services, please see more services.

Program Overview

Foundations of Creative Leadership is a 6 month program designed for entry- to mid- level managers who want to develop their leadership skills in a guided, supportive environment. It is based on the philosophy that leadership development is a dynamic and continuous learning process grounded in self-awareness, active inquiry, reflection and pursuit of feedback.

The program establishes a model for continuous development through formal learning in a workshop setting, informal learning during assignments focused on work-related experiences, active learning through experimentation and reflection, and ongoing improvement through assessment. A long range action plan guided by research results from the Center for Creative Leadership will be developed by each participant to establish a framework for major goals, and a series of short range assignments will be given to generate small wins and build self-efficacy. Through this design, the program provides a solid foundation for development as well as a process model for continuing development beyond the program.

The program begins with a full day retreat off-site to help participants quickly become fully engaged in the development process. During the retreat, participants will be immersed in the results of their assessments and begin the process of synthesizing meaning from them. The results are integrated in each of the following workshops to help participants discover and develop their own unique style of leadership.

The workshops are one half day in length and are typically held on-site. They are highly interactive and include group discussion, brief information exchange sessions, experiential learning activities, and exercises in reflection. Participants are encouraged to contact the instructor by email at any time throughout the program to clarify assignments, discuss progress on their action plan or review new opportunities for learning that might occur. Follow up sessions are available after the end of the program on an as-needed basis.

Class size is limited to a maximum of 12 participants. Participants are required to allocate at least 3 hours per month for completing assignments, many of which can be integrated with work requirements.

Program Components
__Orientation Retreat (Module 1, Full Day, Off-site, Lunch Included)
__Five Workshops (Modules 2 - 6, Half Day, On-site, Snacks Included)
__Mid-Program Individual Coaching (Each Participant, 1 Hour, On-Site)
__End-Program Individual Coaching (Each Participant, 1 Hour, On-Site)

Materials Included
__MBTI+FIRO/B Leadership Assessment
__HBDI Assessment
__Learning Styles Assessment
__Introduction to Type, Isabel Briggs Myers
__Strengths Based Leadership, Rath & Conchie (includes assessment)
__Leadership Challenge, Kouzes & Posner
__Reflection Journal
__Program Notebook

 

Curriculum Overview

Pre Work
Complete Assessments
Reading from Leadership Challenge (Chapters 1 & 2)
Reflection Activities (Provided)

Module 1: Self Assessment
First, know yourself.
Orientation
Assessment Results
Action Plan Development
Assignment 1

Module 2: Communication
Is the message sent the same as the message received?
Across Types & Preferences (e.g., MBTI, HBDI)
Beyond Words (Nonverbal Cues, Emotions, Visual Impact)
Active Listening, Ladders of Inference and Mental Models
Assignment 2

Module 3: Relationships
The number one success factor for leaders based on research from CCL is good “relationships with subordinates”.
Across Types & Preferences
Building Trust, Compassion, Stability & Hope
Enable, Encourage & Inspire
Assignment 3

Module 4: Creativity
The Power of Imagination
Across Types & Preferences
Clues from Cognitive Psychology
Idea Generation: Fluency, Fluidity and Originality
Assignment 4

Module 5: Disequilibrium
Reframe challenges into opportunities to learn and grow.
Across Types & Preferences
Novelty & Change
Hardship & Conflict
Assignment 5

Module 6: Decision Making
Mental Models and Systems Thinking
Across Types & Preferences
Thinking About Thinking
Problem Restatement
Assignment 6