Front line leaders keep the pressures of work at bay by managing their energy, goals and values to bring more sanity and order to an overwhelming workplace.
— KAREN LELAND AND KEITH BAILEY

Front Line Leadership:
Critical Skills for Everyday Excellence

For most of us, life at work is very busy – that's why it's called our place of bus-i-ness! From the moment we walk into the office we are consumed; our day is filled with deadlines, meetings, pressures, and politics – and these days a lot of uncertainty, too. So it's hardly surprising that in the middle of this whirlwind of activity we forget how powerful we really are – we forget the natural ability and power each of us has to transform our experience of our workday from frustrating to fulfilling, regardless of the distractions and circumstances around us. Based on surveys of over 20,000 workers worldwide this one-day workshop shows you how to reclaim that power and be a leader in your own worklife. The three modules which comprise this program are:

Download one-page course description (PDF 400KB)

PRE COURSE WORK: ASSESSMENT AND CUSTOMIZATION

As part of SCG's commitment to provide you with the most impactful and relevant workshop we include as part of the seminar a web-based questionnaire designed to capture the various circumstances, needs, and goals of your group. This information helps us streamline the course and focus on the modules of greatest interest and concern to you. At the beginning of each class the participants fill out a self-assessment to see where they currently stand as front line leaders and what opportunities exist for improvement.

MODULE 1: FRONT LINE LEADERS ARE CENTRAL PLAYERS

The changes you experience at work, both big and small, can dramatically affect your point of view, mood, and energy level. When new circumstances bring new challenges, you can choose how to think about and respond to the changes you face. Front line leaders who successfully deal with the ever-changing workplace share one significant quality - their ability to be a central player. Central players look within and discover innovative and empowering ways to resolve the challenges that change brings. They refuse to blame outside forces for their predicament. This part of the workshop will look closely at what it means to be a central player and explore the rules of the road that guide them.

Enjoy the journey
Invent meaningful contexts
Don't believe everything you think
Find success in failure
Choose choice
Cultivate optimism

MODULE 2: FRONT LINE LEADERS CREATE TOMORROW TODAY

Creating goals, setting priorities, and developing habits of action empower you to manage the pressures of your workload and help make today's aspirations tomorrow's reality. However, it's hard to create something new, different and exciting for the future when your focus and energy today are so diluted. Most of us have too much to do, too little time, and too little resources. Front line leaders keep the pressures of work at bay by managing their energy, goals and values to bring more sanity and order to an overwhelming workplace – and, as a result, to their life. This part of the workshop will show you how you can remove yourself from the distracting tangles at work and purposefully pursue your most important goals, projects and objectives.

Take energetic credit for completion
Avoid the five biggest focus stealers
Resist the lure of the trivial and avoid the tyranny of the urgent
Have your values inform your choices

MODULE 3: FRONT LINE LEADERS DANCE WITH FIRE

Knowing how to communicate and develop relationships with others is an essential skill that makes things happen. It's tempting to think that your work life would be a lot easier if it weren't for all those people—colleagues, bosses, customers—who are so demanding, unreasonable and frustrating. Front line leaders prosper at work by reaching out and connecting - even with those they have conflicts with. Dealing with conflict isn't a mystery; it's a dance with specific steps that help create harmony and understanding—if you know how to read and respond to your partner's tempo! This part of the workshop offers pertinent and powerful techniques for managing your relationships with others – especially those you find difficult or unaccommodating – so that you minimize conflict and increase your capacity for open mindedness.

Switch your negative filters
Map out your difficult conversations
Get in step with different working styles
Let go of negative core thinking patterns

METHODS

Research indicates that most individuals learn and retain information more effectively if the learning setting is designed to encourage maximum participation. With this in mind a strong emphasis is placed on the participants practicing what they are learning both during the course and after.

THE METHODS USED DURING THIS COURSE INCLUDE:

Facilitation style imparting of information
Small group discussion and exercises
Written exercises
Course workbook/materials for after course, on-the-job implementation
Role playing and simulation exercises
Self evaluation instruments

WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING

"I am searching through an electronic Thesaurus trying to identify the adjectives that describe your presentation. Words like professional, experienced, sensational, stimulating, dynamic and inspiring come to mind."

Joe Meldrum, Marketing Manager
APPLE COMPUTER, INC

"Thank you so much for the terrific job you did in meeting the objectives for our program. Your session was fast-paced, fun and interactive. We have received great feedback and as you know we have a tough group to please."

Andrew Campbell, Director of Training
KINKO'S

"Your presentation was the most highly rated by our attendees. It exceeded expectations and provide practical information that could be utilized immediately."

Al Ionson, Vice President General Business
IBM

"Our membership gained 'take home' value from your presentation. The comments I received from our members included dynamic, interactive, very knowledgeable, energetic and immediately usable."

Bill Williams, Education Chairman
YOUNG PRESIDENTS' ORGANIZATION

"Your message was "right on" and your delivery was captivating."

Lawrence Gudis, Senior Vice President
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX

"The work you have done over the last couple of years has really made a significant difference in our organization and our ability to meet our mission'

Larry Minden, Chief Executive Officer
JANE PHILLIPS MEDICAL CENTER

"I am sure it will be no surprise that the comment from the group after your workshop were all extremely positive. Everyone gained valuable insights and we will be addressing specific areas drawn to our attention during the program.'

Bruce Wilke, Vice President
MARY KAY COSMETICS

"Your training has had a dramatic effect on our organizational performance. Your work possesses that rare combination of brilliance and drive that helps the learner shift his/her thinking. It raises awareness, guides thought and builds commitment."

Earl Hinton, Director Professional Development
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS

"You have been working with our company for several years now and the evidence of the powerfully positive changes that have occurred during that time are constantly in view. I applaud your engaging, dynamic and knowledgeable programs."

Magali Akle, Director of communication
AVIS

SCG'S PRESENTATIONS ARE:

Based on surveys of over 20,000 executives, managers and staff from around the globe
Packed with practical information and real world application that attendees can use immediately both at work and at home
Designed to engage the audience through humor, interactive exercises and real world examples
Customized through the use of a client specific web survey to reflect the industry and needs of the audience
Appropriate for a wide variety of audiences from front line supervisors to individual contributors
Available in reduced half-day or extended two-day formats