This presentation is prepared for managers to improve their Leadership Skills. Leaders help themselves and others to do the right things. They set direction and build an inspiring vision. While leaders set the direction, they must also use management skills to guide their people to the right destination, in a smooth and efficient way.

1. MANAGERIAL SKILLS
WORKSHOP
Action Plan For
Leadership Skills

2. ACTION PLAN FOR LEADERSHIP
SKILLS
Prepared by:
Ismail Ahmed
Managing Director
Language Explore
August 2006

3. Background:
Leaders help themselves and others to do the
right things. They set direction and build an
inspiring vision.
While leaders set the direction, they must also
use management skills to guide their people to
the right destination, in a smooth and efficient
way.
This presentation is prepared for managers to
improve their Leadership Skills

4. QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED TO
ASSESS LEADERSHIP:
ATTRIBUTES . . .
Do I view problems as opportunities?
Am I a priority setter?
Am I focused?
Am I courageous?
Am I a critical and creative thinker?
What is my tolerance for ambiguity?
Am I positive attitude towards change?
Am I committed to innovations that are best for
the future?

5. QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED TO
ASSESS LEADERSHIP:
SKILLS . . . . . .
Do I set goals?
Can I develop & implement action plans?
Do I practice & plan conscious abandonment?
Do I transfer the strategic planning process to
planning?
Do I debate, clarify & enunciate my values and
beliefs?
Can I fuel, inspire and guard shared vision?

6. QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED TO
ASSESS LEADERSHIP:
SKILLS . . . . . . (cont)
Can I communicate at all levels?
Do I ask the big picture questions & “what
if”?
Can I support the organisation I am in
through the change process?
Do I encourage dreaming & thinking the
unthinkable?

7. QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED TO
ASSESS LEADERSHIP:
KNOWLEDGE . . . do I know the:
roles & responsibilities in planning &
implementing plans?
strategic planning process, short & long term
planning tools?
organisation's vision, beliefs and mission?
macro factors that affect my organisation's
involvement?
best practices & research on improving
achievement?
process of change & paradigm shifts?
strategies to involve and communicate with the
community?

8. Why do Leadership Assessment?.....
provide accurate information about leadership
strengths and weaknesses.
suggest a development plan with information about
my individual strengths & improvement needs.
It will be used in the selection & design of professional
development opportunities that build on strengths &
manage weaknesses.

9. SKILLS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED
AS CRITICAL..
to be an effective person
to resolve complex problems
to communicate effectively

10. Action Strategies...
Know the people well-
it takes time to know people's backgrounds,
interests, key experiences, defining moments,
their hopes & fears
Employ counseling method-
uniform information given to group of people will be
heard, read, understood & construed in many
different ways
information is perceived by the lens through
which it seen

11. Action Strategies... (cont)
while interacting with people, be reflective in
action
wherever there is conflict, depersonalise-
distinguish issues from the people representing the
issues

12. Leadership Action Plan
Implementation Schedule
Month 1
Personal Assessment, Analysis & Selection of Strategy
 Online assessment.
Month 2 – 6
Implementation
 Frequently attending community functions.
 Put into practice Managerial Skills – i.e. methods of coaching,
counseling and supportive communication methodology.
 Be more proactive. Consult the experts and the elders in the
community.
 Utilize principles of supportive communication. Avoid abrasive,
insensitive, unskillful message delivery in communications.

13. Leadership Action Plan
Implementation Schedule
Month 7
Evaluation & Revision of Action Plan
 Evaluate actual progress against plans. Where necessary,
employ alternative tactics.
Month 7-12
Implementation of the Revised Plans

14. LEADERSHIP TASKS
establish vision & set direction
affirm & articulate values
set high standards & high expectations
accountable
motivate
achieve unity
involve others in decision-making
serve as role models
listen & explain
represent the organisation
guide followers

15. Conclusion…
A LEADER IS:
a person who inspires others to take a
journey to a destination others would not go
to by themselves. Today's challenges revolve
around change, innovation, passion &
creativity.
as times change, leadership skills must also
change. What was successful in the past is
still relevant, but may not be everything needed
for the future.

16. Quote…
…..everyone is a leader and every leader is
accountable for his/her responsibilities.
Prophetic Hadith
….. when work is done, everyone says: we did it
ourselves …..
Lao Tze

17. Acknowledgement of Sources:
Charles M. Farkas & Philippe De Backer (1996). Maximum
Leadership,
Henry Holt & Company; Beerel, A (1998). Leadership Through
Strategic Planning, Thomson Business Press;
http://www.cobbk12.org/departments/si/sistaffdevelopment/Leadershi
pDevelopment/lac.htm
http://www.dop.wa.gov/Managers/OrganizationalEffectiveness/Co
achingAssessments.htm
http://www.learningcenter.net/library/leadership.shtml
http://www.nsba.org/sbot/toolkit/LeadSA.html
http://www.chartcourse.com/articleassess.htm