The role of training to develop interpersonal skills is limited. This presentation describes how training can be used to develop interpersonal skills for leaders.

1. Intelligent Leadership Styles
Training to Develop
Interpersonal Skills
For Leaders

2. Training is Not Always the Solution
Attending training programs is a
great way to acquire knowledge.
You know the drill, a subject matter
expert makes a presentation while
you absorb as much knowledge as
you can. At the conclusion of the
presentation you have an
opportunity to ask questions to
ensure your understanding of what
you learned is correct.
Newly acquired knowledge most likely will serve as a possible initiator or
enabler of behavior change, but knowledge alone rarely produces the
changes in behavior that lead to improvements in leadership effectiveness.

3. Training Can Help to Develop Competencies
If your training program can also
develop some leadership skills and
abilities along with knowledge, then
it is possible to develop leadership
competencies through training.
While it is possible it will probably
take a lot more work.
Skills and abilities are best developed through problem solving, case
studies, and especially, exercises involving active learning. Many training
programs don’t include much in the way of active learning exercises because
they take more time to develop or there are many things that can go wrong
with their execution/facilitation.

4. Can Training Produce Behavior Change?
Yes, maybe. If you thought
developing competencies was a
difficult proposition for
training, well changing
leadership behaviors at a
seminar or workshop is an even
more daunting task. Again
active learning exercises are a
good idea, but changing
leadership behavior requires a
good deal of individual, one-
on-one attention.
Changing leadership behaviors typically requires a series or trial behaviors. The
leader evaluates each trial, makes adjustments, and repeats the process until a
new set of behaviors can be confidently applied with the desired results. A
seminar or workshop does not seem like the best place to do this.

5. Training to Develop Interpersonal Skills
Some new knowledge might be needed
to develop interpersonal skills so
training can definitely help with this.
Training can develop skills and abilities,
but the training program should include
as many active learning exercises as
possible.
Don’t expect training to produce the
series of trial behaviors required to
refine skills and create confidence in
their use.

6. How Can You Develop Leadership Skills and Behaviors?

7. Intelligent Leadership Styles
Questions?
Contact:
Dr. Phillip R. Ash
professorash@ymail.com