Leadership Development Red Deer College Certificate Program
Program Overview: The modern business world requires leadership, rather than just management. To lead is to innovate, inspire and influence others to do the same. People who aspire to be a good leader care about the people around them, show drive, energy, determination, self-discipline, willpower and are prepared to take risks. Does this describe you? Yes? You have the character of a leader. This program will help you discover the tools needed to expand your leadership capacity, at any level within your organization and community. Each course provides you with practical applications you can make use of in your personal and professional life and assist you in building your own leadership style. You can expect to: • • • •
Earn the respect of colleagues and superiors. Be a source of inspiration and a motivator of change. Empower others to make effective decisions. Attain personal success and fulfillment.
Put your newly-gained leadership knowledge to work by practicing the skills and engaging in discussions with instructors and other Certificate Program participants. Leadership Certificate Audience
This program is for people who wish to inspire positive change in organizations and become more effective leaders. Leadership is found at all levels within an organization, and this Certificate Program is useful training for everyone from front line employees to members of management. Leadership Certificate Impact
You may already possess strong managerial capabilities, but to be even more effective within and valuable to your organization, you must be able to provide the direction and drive that lead to measureable results. Leadership Certificate Program participants will: • take leadership theories and apply them to real-world situations. • recognize the value of capitalizing on the diversity that exists in the workplace. • learn about skills that are key to effective team leadership. • discuss the importance of being open and responsive to change.
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Course Delivery: The program consists of six individual courses. Each course is a 14-hour, instructor-led seminar. Course manuals and PowerPoint presentations are provided.
The final project is a writing assignment in which the student applies his/her leadership understanding and personal development to a work, community, or home situation. Core Courses:
Leadership 120 – Methodology Leadership 121 – You as a Leader Leadership 122 – Creating Vision Leadership 123 - Organizational Culture & Change Leadership 124 – Team Building Leadership 125 – Coaching in a Workplace/Organizational Setting Leadership 126 – Final Project
Completion of all six core courses and the final project is required for the Leadership Certificate Program. In addition, a student must have a minimum 80% attendance in each of the six courses.
Recommended Textbook: Maxwell, John C. (2001). Developing the Leader Within You Workbook. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Course Descriptions:
Leadership 120 - Methodology (14 hours) Being an effective leader in today’s economy requires skills and knowledge that differ from what was expected of leaders in the past. This course provides information about a variety of leadership styles, emerging developments in leadership today, and the differences between leadership and management. You will discover what leadership style works best for you. Topics include: • • • • • •
Classical Leadership (Laissez faire, autocratic, participative leadership) Trait Theory Emergent Leadership Value Based Leadership Transformational Leadership Transactional Leadership
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• Servant Leadership • Situational Leadership At the end of this course, students will be expected to demonstrate learning through the following outcomes: • •
• • • •
Identify the differences and similarities between leadership and management. Demonstrate how your personal tendencies and preferences influence your leadership style, strengths, and areas for growth. Explain the main principles of each of the major leadership theories. Examine the connection between the major leadership theories and your personal leadership style. Recognize the role of ethics and values in leadership. Examine the role of cultural values in understanding human behavior and the impact of cultural differences on leadership roles and responsibilities
Leadership 121 - You as a Leader (14 hours) To be a leader you must have an honest understanding of who you are, what you know, and what you can do. If staff members lack confidence in you as a leader, they will be unmotivated and uninspired. Different people require different styles of leadership. Understanding different leadership styles can help you develop your own personal leadership style and become a more effective leader. Topics include: • • •
Understanding Your Own Leadership Style and Capabilities Your Communication Style Emotional Intelligence
At the end of this course, students will be expected to demonstrate learning through the following outcomes: •
• • •
Assess which leadership style inventories are best suited for personal leadership style learning. Explain how each of Maxwell’s 5 Leadership Levels is important to being a good leader. Compare real and counterfeit vs. technical and adaptive leadership. Solve theoretical workplace dilemmas through application of the principles of emotional intelligence and intercultural communication.
Leadership 122 – Creating a Vision (14 hours) Leadership success begins with a vision. It is one thing to have a vision, and another to be able to communicate that vision to others. Leading people toward a common goal does not simply mean telling them what to do. Effective leadership motivates others to achieve higher levels of success. Learn the importance of creating a vision, developing strategies, and aligning others with your vision. Leadership
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Topics include: • • •
The Importance and Value of Creating a Vision Strategies to Develop a Vision How to Effectively Communicate and Share Your Vision
At the end of this course, students will be expected to demonstrate learning through the following outcomes: • • • •
Create a personal vision creation statement. Demonstrate leadership communication skills. Develop intercultural communication skills. Compare the factors and issues related to both a strong vision and a lack of vision.
Leadership 123 – Organizational Culture & Change (14 hours) In today’s highly competitive world, the way to survive is to adapt to change. The test of a real leader is how he/she can lead the organization through change and/or crisis as effectively as possible. Learn the concepts of organizational change and how to lead people from change avoidance to change acceptance.
Topics include: • • • •
Understanding Your Organization’s Current Culture Your Role in Effecting Change in Your Organization’s Culture Variables That Influence an Organization’s Culture The Impact of Change on an Organization’s Culture
At the end of this course, students will be expected to demonstrate learning through the following outcomes: • • • • •
Describe organizational culture in your own words. Identify key components of organizational effectiveness and apply them to an organizational context. Assess two aspects of culture (i.e. gender, ethnic culture, job position) and explain how each impacts organizational culture. Identify examples of conscious and unconscious culture that may be at play in a given organizational culture. Apply the principles of adaptive leadership to problem solve a global issue.
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Leadership 124 - Team Building (14 hours) A key to leading a successful team is being aware of the skills team members possess, and using those skills in complementary ways. The success of a team depends upon team members committing to a well-defined goal and being mutually-accountable for accomplishing the goal. Learn to build a high-performance team by understanding the different team roles and adjusting those roles during different phases of the project; taking into consideration the varying personalities, skills and experiences of the team’s members. Topics include: • • • • •
The Importance of the Team How to Successfully Establish Working Teams Individual Roles Within the Team Leading an Effective Cooperative Team Successful Team-Building Experiences
At the end of this course, students will be expected to demonstrate learning through the following outcomes: • • • •
Identify the requisites for leading a successful meeting. Describe how various team members contribute to solving a particular workplace/organizational problem. Examine the four categories of questioning for focused conversation. Apply Maxwell’s five development principles to a personal or workplace teamwork situation and share with a small group.
Leadership 125 – Coaching in a Workplace/Organizational Setting (14 hours) Coaches (and mentors) facilitate the learning, development, and performance of others. The executive coach guides someone toward defining his/her aspirations and achieving his/her dreams. This course focuses on the importance of individuals within organizations, communication clues that help us understand others, and employee-coaching strategies. Topics include: • • • • •
Leader/Follower – the Interdependent Relationship The Importance and Understanding of Individuals in Organizations Fundamental Aspects of Coaching Individuals, Departments, Organizations Strategies For Coaching Employees and Work Groups Coaching and Organizational Improvement
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At the end of this course, students will be expected to demonstrate learning through the following outcomes: • •
• •
Compare formal and informal coaching within a workplace/organization. Identify how the principles of language, time-orientation and horizon, feedback, and expressiveness may influence cross-cultural communication. Practice implementing leadership coaching skills to workplace scenarios, using GROW model. Compare focused conversation and authentic conversation; demonstrate how both can be effective in the coaching context.
Leadership 126 – Final Project Following the completion of all six leadership courses, participants in the Leadership Certificate Program who wish to obtain their certificate must complete the Final Leadership Project within two months of taking the final (sixth) course.
Using the concepts discussed and materials provided during the six courses, participants will communicate their understanding of leadership and their own leadership style in a (written or oral) reflective project that relates to a situation at work, within their community, or at home.
Admission Requirements:
There are no pre-requisites or specific admission requirements for this program.
Prior Learning/Approved Equivalencies:
There are no accepted prior learning or approved equivalencies at this time.
Evaluation Method:
A student must achieve a successful grade in all six core courses based on: completion of the learning assessment criteria, in-class participation, a (minimum) 80% attendance in each course, and successful completion of the final project.
Transcripts:
A student must achieve successful grades in all six core courses, meet the attendance requirements, and complete the final project in order to receive his/her certificate. As per Red Deer College grading policy, a percentage grade will be converted to a letter grade of either S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory) for non-credit career development programs.
Certificate:
Once a student has successfully completed the required courses and final project, he/she can receive his/her certificate by completing the parchment application form which is available online, or, by contacting the Continuing Education Department at Red Deer College. http://rdc.ab.ca/search/gss/parchment%20application%20form Leadership
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Registration Information:
You may register for each course in one of the following ways: • on-line at www.rdc.ab.ca (click on Continuing Education) • in-person at the Registrar's Office: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. • by telephone @ (403) 357-3663 • payment via Visa, Mastercard, American Express, cheque (no post-dated cheques), or cash **Course fees are due at time of registration.
Refund policy:
Full refunds are available if the Continuing Education Division cancels the course. If you must withdraw from a course, please notify Continuing Education at least two business days before the course begins and we will attempt to either register you in an alternative course, or, issue a refund less a $30.00 cancellation fee. Registration cancellations within two business days of a course’s starting date are not eligible for a refund.
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