Leadership Training: Quest for Impossible Certainty vs Potential Ripple Effect

When pitching/presenting prospective clients with options for leadership training, we have increasingly noticed in recent years that almost all request:

• Matrix or technology driven tools that guarantee positive/measurable results upfront

• Proof of results driven details from previous clients

• Guarantees that seminar/workshop evolution will not deviate from the script (provided beforehand)

While finding it perfectly understandable that due diligence and ongoing accountability are part of the consulting/training process, I respectfully submit that it is impossible to give such assurances in good faith. I love technology, but am always reminded by McLuhan’s “technology extends …rather than replaces human capacity” … that, in the training realm, technology will provide, at best, frameworks that will accommodate/facilitate both delivery and future implementation.

More than 25 years’ experience and regular comprehensive feedback from long-standing clients has consistently provided an indication of the following trends… that belie absolute outcomes:

• No two clients are alike – Best results are achieved by careful material/methodology customization as well as the facility to flexibly hold the course, while accommodating seminar/participant dynamics (For the more sceptical, this does not mean winging it!)

• 70% of our audiences love the content/experience; 20% are on the fence; 10% are either non-committal/disinterested/negative; (I am actually perturbed when we receive across the board approval – Interacting with a diverse group involves thinking… in the tough subjective/objective balancing act that leadership training demands, I believe universal approval is impossible to secure!)

• 10% of participants will endeavour to implement learned material (with or without a matrix) post training, 20% might, and 70% will move on as before without subsequent prodding;

So confident am I in regard to these pointers, that they are included in our every pitch/marketing initiative. Respectfully, because I sincerely believe in not promising the impossible, we are not a good fit with clients wanting a prescriptive approach, fixed outcomes or a download of what other clients requested.

That said, our Leadership Program will guarantee on individual/team levels:

• A Thought Provoking, Introspective, Exploratory experience

• Identify/Re-affirm & Empower innate leadership competencies

• A potential ripple effect organization wide

• Total confidentiality - What transpires during client interaction is never disclosed

For more information (416) 962-6700

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First published 19.Jun.2014