Training

Training new Employees on Leadership Roles

Managing new employees demands time, patience, and constant communication. Virtually, this is significant because it helps teach them on the specific organization procedures, policies, and their roles. It also helps explain to them what the organization expects of them among other issues to help them fit in and avoid common mistakes. The task may seem overwhelming, but with the right kind of focus, the experience can be rewarding to both the employee and management. In light of this, we will design a comprehensive training program intended to help new leaders joining the Fire-Rescue Department transition into the organization and their new roles smoothly. The training program is also intended to show the new employees that leadership goes beyond management.

Leadership Training programs

Aims/Objectives of the Study

The program content includes the following key leadership skills:

1. Help new leaders understand the difference between leadership and management
2. Help the new employees develop their leadership skills and make them understand the importance of leadership to the organization.

Leadership vs. Management

The difference between leadership and management is that leaders influence people to follow them, while managers have people who work for them without any major form of motivation to follow (Bertocci, 2009). Successful leaders should have both leadership and management skills to be able to get the team onboard and pursue the organization goals. In light of this, this segment will explore the difference between management and leadership and the behaviors that are necessary to succeed in both capacities.

Training methods

The training method will combine traditional, role-play, and computer-aided learning. A variety of presentations, workshops, and experiential educational formats will be used to stimulate learning and ensure the new leaders understand the content. Role-play will provide a great learning environment and help the new leaders get to understand the subject matter in greater depth. Computer-aided will provide an interactive and dynamic learning environment, where the new leaders will be able to access learning materials even off the training setting.

A. In a workshop and using PowerPoint presentations, the moderator will:

1. Introduce the new leaders on the content of the day
2. Define and outline the difference between leaders and managers – in this; the moderator will define and give examples that the new leaders can relate to.
3. Give a detailed description of the role of leaders and managers within the organization settings – this includes the duties and responsibilities that leaders and managers are expected to fulfill in their line of work. This also focuses on the way leaders achieve organization goals, keeping the team motivated and empowered to achieve the preset goals. 
4. Elaborate on the characteristics of being a leader and a manager
5. Assemble the new leaders into groups of five and have them brainstorm on the qualities and functions of a leader

B. Using Role-play

During the role-playing session, the facilitator will introduce the topic and issues, explain the purpose of the session, and ensure that the participants maintain order. In this case, the facilitator will make participants go through a fire rescue drill, where members will be assigned different roles and expected to coordinate the group effectively. The session will be used to explain to the new leaders on the importance of communication, the ability to influence people as well as enhance the critical thinking ability of the employees as they develop a better understanding of the company operations.

C. Using Computer-aided Instruction

Computer-aided instruction is based on using a computer or other types of technology to improve individual knowledge and skills. CAI will be used to teach the new leaders a variety of skills in leadership and management. The benefit of using computer-aided learning is that the computer programs are interactive and can illustrate concepts through demonstrations. Each member will be able to progress at their pace, work individually, or review the learning material as a group. The new leaders will also be able to receive immediate feedback, letting them know if their answer is correct or not.

Developing Leadership Skills

Employee development is both the responsibility of the employee and that of the employer as well. Good leaders strive to groom their employees for future leadership roles and responsibilities. Developing the leadership skills of the ten new leaders will be achieved through these four strategies:

Encourage the new leaders to network

The networking will be encouraged within the workplace during lunch hours or after-work events. Networking will teach the employees how to create strong connections with their colleagues, superiors, and subordinates, initiate conversations and act with the confidence of a leader. Additionally, after the new leaders have been integrated into the system, the organization will arrange industry events to give them an idea of what is expected of them at networking events.

Assign mentors

The mentor and mentee relationships are significant in helping employees grow and advance their leadership skills. In this case, there is no better way to learn leadership skills apart from the other leaders within the organization. Each new leader will be assigned a mentor who is long-serving leader within the organization. The mentorship program will be helpful in assimilating the new hires into the organization culture and serve as a great tool to enhance leadership skills development.

Maintain a feedback loop

A feedback loop is necessary to monitor the performance of the employee to improve their productivity in future. Continuous communication will be observed to give feedback to the employees on their performance at networking and the mentorship program. Both formal and informal communication will be utilized to allow employees the freedom to express themselves in an informal setting and allow official communication in a formal setting.

Lead by Example

Leaders should possess various skills such as transparency, commitment, confidence, integrity, professionalism, and respect towards others for them to become great leaders. Leading by example helps others watch and learn. Consequently, employees look up to their leaders to learn about what is expected of them within the organizational setting. With this in mind, the facilitator expects long-serving leaders to behave in a way that employees can watch and learn from them.

Virtually, no one is born a leader. Leadership development can take place through various mechanisms including formal instruction, self-directed learning, mentorship, and learning by observing other leaders. The approaches may occur independently but are effective when combined. Formal training through the traditional method provides leaders with the required knowledge and an understanding of the difference between leadership and management. Encouraging networking, assigning mentors, maintaining a feedback loop, and leading by example are informal training methods that will help in developing leadership skills.

References

Bertocci, D. I. (2009). Leadership in organizations: There is a difference between leaders and managers. Lanham, Md: University Press of America.