As a staff development trainer with a passion for helping individuals reach their full potential, I embarked on an exciting journey to create a training program aimed at empowering outdoor leaders. The goal was to equip these individuals with the necessary skills and confidence to excel in their roles, even when surrounded by other talented educators. Recognizing that leadership development is an ongoing process, I focused on creating a 2-day program that fostered self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication.
Identifying the Need for Leadership Training
In the dynamic world of outdoor education, leaders often face unique challenges, such as navigating their roles within a team of equally skilled or more experienced educators. The key to overcoming these challenges lies in cultivating strong leadership skills, enabling individuals to manage and communicate effectively with their peers. To address this need, I designed a program that provided a supportive environment for participants to engage in constructive conversations, self-reflection, and targeted skill development.
Gathering Data
To develop a tailored program, I relied on my firsthand experience working closely with each staff member. Additionally, I gathered data from weekly staff debrief sessions and one-on-one discussions, which provided valuable insights into their needs and aspirations.
Defining Desired Outcomes
The primary objectives of the leadership program were to help participants:
Understand their individual strengths and those of their peers
Gain a better understanding of leadership styles, particularly situational leadership
Acquire coaching leadership tools for improved peer-to-peer conversations
Resources
To create an engaging and effective program, I utilized the following resources:
Belbin Team Roles profile for each individual
Belbin presentation and activity to help make sense of their profiles
Playmeo.com and Onteambuilding.com for activity ideas to align with my program's sequence and desired outcomes
Design and Sequencing
One of the most crucial aspects of the program's design was its sequence. To ensure the program flowed smoothly, I mentally rehearsed the entire 2-day training, considering various scenarios and potential conversations that could arise. This exercise helped identify any gaps in the program and areas where additional support was needed. Next, I selected activities that would reinforce key concepts and help participants connect the dots during debriefing sessions.
Execution
One of the challenging yet exciting aspects of my role is adapting to the rhythm of my participants. From the beginning, I understood the importance of covering key basics to provide a platform for deeper exploration. We used the participants' Belbin profiles not only as a way to understand individual strengths, but also as a shared language, helping everyone recognize how their peers could complement their abilities in a team setting.
I also aimed to demystify two other critical concepts: the coaching leadership style and the practice of giving and receiving feedback. To make these ideas tangible, we used practical activities that encouraged the application of these skills.
What truly invigorates me as a facilitator is the ability to tailor my approach to the unique needs and pace of my learners. While our sessions sometimes took detours into other discussions, we never lost sight of the key skills I wanted the participants to acquire by the end of the two days. Our debriefing sessions were invaluable, bringing our focus back to what mattered most to the group at each moment. Clearing up any confusion was also crucial, as it allowed us to move forward and inch closer to our learning outcomes."
Post-program Feedback and Observations:
The inclusion of practical, hands-on opportunities received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Participants recognized the significance of bridging the gap between newly acquired skills and their real-world application. They appreciated the chances to plan, execute, reflect, receive feedback, and grow more confident in their foundational abilities, laying the groundwork for future development. Witnessing this transformation, I am proud to say that we initiated a conversation about becoming better leaders, valuing others' talents, seeking help when needed, and viewing peers as resources rather than competitors.
If you want to know more about the activities I used and the sequencing of them. Please feel free to contact me.