This training program is offered in 24 weekly half-day sessions as scheduled, either in person or online. Contact us for more details about upcoming dates.  

Module 1: Coaching Fundamentals 

Coaching supports others in achieving greater personal and professional success. Often misunderstood, coaching is more than just a way of helping another improve a specific technical skill. Working one-on-one, coaching is a way to develop others by deepening their critical thinking skills. 

This module will cover the underpinnings of a ‘coaching mindset’ and the fundamental coaching skills leaders will need to get started. Additionally, this module will dispel coaching myths and allow participants to develop a consistent coaching approach of their own. 

Participants will: 

• Learn to coach their direct reports based on yearly goals and objectives – and related to motivation and performance issues 
• Learn to practice using a standard coaching process and key coaching skills 
• Learn the self-management skills necessary to be a good coach 
• Learn the importance of listening and observing at a deeper level 
• Learn to practice creating and using powerful questions in coaching interactions 
• Learn about the role of ‘advice giving’ in coaching relationships 
• Observe coaching demonstrations and participate in one-on-one and tag team coaching sessions 

Module 2: Project Management  

Today’s leadership positions involve all aspects of an organization and multiple skills, duties and responsibilities. This module is designed to meet the needs of leaders who may be new to project management or those who have not had formal project management training. It provides practical knowledge, from a leadership perspective, on how to start and finish a project. Participants will learn how the elements of the Project Management Body of Knowledge are applied during each phase of a project’s life cycle and the implications of project management on leadership within an organization. This training will help participants learn to establish priorities and effectively manage their projects and project teams. 

Participants will learn how to: 

• Describe the key elements of project management as defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI)™, including the project management life cycle and knowledge areas 
• Apply the processes of Project Scope Management to prepare project purpose, objectives, stakeholder requirements, deliverables and work breakdown structure 
• Apply the processes of Project Time Management to prepare a network diagram and project schedule 
• Apply the processes of Project Cost Management to prepare a project budget 
• Apply the processes of Project Risk Management to assess project risks and prepare risk management strategies 

In addition, participants will begin the preparation of a Project Management Plan for their applied project pitch to senior leadership at their workplace. 

Module 3: LEAN Thinking for Leadership 

LEAN is a powerful methodology that improves efficiency and effectiveness by reducing waste in processes. It positively impacts the culture of the organization, improving employee engagement and alignment of customer requirements. This module is designed to introduce LEAN concepts and methodology to leaders and their role in driving and supporting an environment of Continuous Improvement in their organization.  

Leaders will learn to: 

• Create an environment for Continuous Improvement  
• Explain the 5 Principles of LEAN 
• Define Value and the Customer 
• Describe the 8 Wastes of LEAN  
• Use LEAN tools to understand a process and manage a project  
• Identify process improvement opportunities  
• Develop relevant measures  
• Recognize the importance of Workplace Organization  
• Understand the levels of LEAN training and project engagement  

Participants who successfully complete the Continuous Improvement Leadership Certificate program, including this module, will also receive their Lean White Belt Certification. 

Module 4: Performance Feedback 

Performance feedback is essential for organizational effectiveness. In this module, participants will work to understand the dynamics of performance management, motivation and feedback. Training will focus on performance analysis, constructive feedback, personal development improvement plans and ways to develop overall strategies for enhancing employee performance in their organization. 

Participants will learn to: 

• Assess the impact of leadership on creating a performance culture 
• Identify key employee motivators and non-motivators
• Explore the limitations of performance management systems 
• Use various strategies to enhance performance 

Module 5: Employment Law 

The workplace is highly regulated from the commencement of the employment relationship through to its termination. An examination of both statutory law and common law in both federal and provincial jurisdictions will be undertaken in this module. Participants will review employment standards, health and safety, labour relations, pay equity and human rights legislation as it applies to management and unionized employees and leaders. 

Participants will learn to: 

• Identify and describe relevant employment regulations and standards 
• Identify and describe employee relations best practices 
• Explore the limitations of performance management systems 
• Use various strategies to enhance performance 

Module 6: Creating High-Performing Teams 

In this module, participants will examine the leader’s role in the development and success of teams in the workplace. We will learn the differences between a group and a team, and techniques for creating team charters, vision statements and team values. Additionally, this module will focus on how to improve problem-solving and decision-making at the team level. Finally, participants will learn the skills necessary to be effective team players. 

Participants will learn to: 

• Distinguish between teams and groups 
• Identify stages in team development and how to support members through the process 
• Examine techniques to improve team problem-solving and decision making 
• Explore processes to improve team functioning 

Module 7: Strategic Planning 

A Strategic Plan describes the organization’s vision for the future and outlines corporate goals and objectives. Leaders should have a clear understanding of their organization’s strategic plan and ensure their team’s work aligns with it. 

After this session participants will understand: 

• What Strategic Planning is and why it’s important 
• The steps to developing a Strategic Plan 
• The importance of establishing a Vision, Mission and Values 
• How to use the Strategic Plan as a management tool 
• How to measure and report on success 

Module 8: Preparing a Business Case 

In this session, participants will learn how to write a business case for recommendations related to business improvements, process enhancements, and innovative ideas. The module covers structuring a business case and emphasizes the importance of including a cost/benefit analysis section. Participants will apply these techniques to their chosen project during this module, and the techniques learned will be reinforced in their Presentation Skills module as well. 

After this session, participants will understand how to write and structure a business case to: 

• Put forward recommendations to senior management 
• Have a logical flow and answer critical questions key to getting approvals 
• Include a cost/benefit analysis for their proposal, and  
• Be successful in their pitch to move forward with their ideas  

Module 9: Managing Change 

Leaders are often called upon to implement and support the change process. As such, they must be able to identify and respond to internal and external factors that will determine when and what types of change initiatives are required. Environmental scanning, identifying trends, and implementing and measuring successful change are all essential to developing and managing change and will be covered as part of this module. 

Participants will learn to: 

• Identify the elements of change management 
• Explain the roles and responsibilities of the leader in managing change 
• Apply the tools and techniques for managing change to a workplace situation  

Module 10: Creative and Critical Thinking 

Today more than ever, leaders need to be able to think both critically and creatively. In this module, participants will learn how to apply these thinking skills to interpersonal and professional situations and to their roles as leaders. 

Participants will learn to: 

• Define creative and critical thinking in relation to business and the role of a leader 
• Compare and contrast creative and critical thinking 
• Assess their creative and critical thinking skills 
• Apply creative and critical thinking to a specific work place situation or problem 
• Develop strategies to improve creative and critical thinking skills in an individual or a team 

Module 11: Presentation Skills 

Ensuring your messages resonate with your audience is important, and this module equips participants with the tools they need to make powerful presentations. Participants will learn about the elements that will help them be more relaxed, confident and skilled at delivering presentations, and relating to their audience. 

Participants will learn to: 

• Analyze situations before creating content 
• Define the objective of the presentation 
• Develop content using the Audience Questions Technique 
• Create powerful openings and provocative closings 
• Identify key elements to create visuals to support the presentation’s message  

Module 12: Leadership Applications 

The application of concepts to typical workplace projects, situations and issues is an effective teaching technique for enhancing leadership learning and development. This module offers participants the opportunity to apply what they are learning in each module to a project and to their own workplace situations. 

Participants will: 

• Apply and practise what they’ve learned throughout the Continuous Improvement Leadership program, while enhancing personal and professional skills 
• Receive professional mentoring and coaching on leadership skills 
• Complete an applied project pitch presentation that incorporates the learning into a practical business application 

Personal Coaching: As part of their experience in the Continuous Improvement Leadership program, and included in their program fees, participants can schedule up to 3 half-hour coaching sessions with one of our seasoned Leadership coaches.