Leadership Essentials Course

Module 1: What Is a Leader?

• Define leadership as a process of influencing followers toward goals; identify core characteristics of effective leaders.
• Explore the four leadership principles—Inspiration, Motivation, Influence, Persuasiveness—and the behaviors behind them (e.g., role modeling, integrity, coaching).
• Determine your leadership style using a strategic/contingency approach (SLTi); practice Kouzes & Posner’s five key team leadership behaviors.
• Differentiate leaders from managers/supervisors and connect leadership with agency resources, SMART goals, and performance expectations.

Module 2: Leading One’s Followers

• Understand sources of power (legitimate, reward, coercive, expert, referent, information) and when to use each.
• Apply influencing strategies beyond “leading by example,” including inspirational appeal, consultation, exchange, personal appeal, pressure, and coalition tactics.
• Energize the workforce using equity-based motivation and a practical job aid to tailor motivators to individuals.
• Delegate versus empower—grant authority and responsibility appropriately; recognize the profile of empowered employees and when empowerment fits.
• Develop people through mentoring and coaching; strengthen collaboration and professionalism using the Professional Maturity model, Magnification model, and the Four Agreements.

Module 3: The Leader’s Environment

• Set direction with the “5 Questions Every Leader Must Ask” and become a visionary—clarify vision vs. mission vs. objectives.
• Design and communicate vision through the vision process: conceptualize → develop → communicate → align → refine.
• Use systems thinking to anticipate unintended consequences (inputs, throughputs, outputs, outcomes) across the organization.
• Think strategically about the external environment and conduct a S.W.O.T.T. analysis to guide action.
• Foster a learning organization and lead change with strong communication skills, including active listening, feedback, and nonverbal awareness.