Training Leaders for Future Complexities

Leaders and managers can study, train and be coached, but failure to work on interpersonal skills will derail them when faced with more complex responsibilities.

Almost all professional development programs focus on the individual and self-improvement, or on managing teams and influencing groups of people. Thousands of managers receive training each year, with an emphasis on leading others.

Unfortunately, very few programs focus on how to develop interpersonal relationships and conversational skills.

The best managers in the world are not only experts in systems, processes and technical competencies; they’re also proficient at managing emotions (their own and others’).

“As a leader moves up in an organization, up to 90 percent of their success lies in emotional intelligence,” notes Daniel Goleman, author of Social Intelligence (2006).

In other words, nine out of ten executives who fail lack emotional competencies. A leader's most valuable currency is relationships, emotional capital and the ability to connect with others.

Sadly, most people’s experience with bosses falls short.