Creative Leadership and Managing an Innovative Team On-Site Training

This on-site training class is also available as Public Schedule Seminar.

To be a successful leader in today's organizations, you have to do more than just "lead"

Course Description/Agenda

In Creative Leadership and Managing an Innovative Team, you’ll learn …

Exploring creative thinking … and developing your role as a catalyst
How to set up the best work environment—one that’s innovation-friendly
Getting the great minds on your team to work well together to find solutions
Implementing new ideas, getting feedback and keeping creative momentum going
And much more!

Efficiency and quality have been the hallmarks of the business world for decades. But as that world speeds up, stretches boundaries and demands new solutions, you need a work environment that’s ready—a place where innovation is encouraged and rewarded—where you and your team can adapt quickly to sudden change and grab opportunities.

A new kind of leader is taking center stage. And this unique workshop full of fresh, new ideas will broaden your thinking and build your ability to draw creativity from employees. It will teach you how to get workers to consider the possibilities … to invent new ways … to share information … to problem solve … to fearlessly innovate.

Program hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Mental Mobility Begins With You…the Boss

What creative thinking really is and why it’s growing in importance
Understand the characteristics of creative thinkers…and assess your natural thinking style and how it affects your decisions
Learn to steer clear of traditional problem-solving techniques to identify the real problem
Use “creative flexibility” tools to help you adapt quickly to change
Discuss the role of responsible risk taking
Bad thinking habits that could be keeping you from finding the best, most creative solutions
Exercises to pump up your creative muscles and get ideas flowing
How approaching problems from a fresh perspective helps find fresh solutions
Transform your knowledge: Adapt what you already know to new situations

Create a Work Environment Where Innovation Thrives

You are the catalyst—turning staffers into original thinkers … and thinkers into problem solvers
An eye-opening quiz to assess how positive your work environment is
Ignite passion by infusing every job with a sense of purpose and excitement
Shake up entrenched processes with a fresh “What if?” perspective
How to raise the bar—and inspire workers to meet higher expectations
How to communicate to build trust and welcome creativity
Help employees feel heard by facilitating the flow of information upward and downward
The keys to positively reinforcing “outside-the-box” thinking
End the BIG TWO idea killers: Bad attitudes and “can’t-do” thinking
How to give criticism that builds people up—a cornerstone of effective leadership

The Team—Get Individuals to Pull Together, Share Ideas and Find Solutions

Establishing work groups that tap the unique talents and experience of each individual
The latest techniques to get ideas flowing on your team
Strategies used by some of the world’s most innovative companies to brainstorm and stay ahead of change
How to build loyalty between co-workers by encouraging trust and respect
Turn “your” into “our” to drive home a collective sense of responsibility
Managing work horizontally and other best practices that emphasize collaboration
Conflict: How to manage and embrace this natural outcome of a well-functioning team
Fun team activities to foster collaboration and creativity

Keep Creative Momentum Going and Greet Change Head-On

How to move ideas from the drawing board to successful implementation
How to ask for and use feedback to fine-tune your options
How to pick yourself and your team back up after a mistake or failure
How best to intervene when teams stop working together
Tips for recognizing and relieving workers headed for burnout
Stress inhibits creativity: Learn how to turn it into creative tension
Overcome resistance to change … and sell your ideas
Sharing the spotlight with employees to encourage professional development
The right way to say ”no“ to an employee’s idea without shutting down future suggestions