Leadership and management are often confused but are actually very different disciplines. How you define them and how you can become a leader are two of the issues that David Joel, a course leader for the Institute of Directors (IoD), will be exploring at the National Sales Conference 2015.
“Managers and directors in organisations are often unaware of their obligation to lead and motivate their teams,” says David.
“I’m going to look at both leadership and motivation in some depth, looking at the need for what I term followership and teamship; getting people to commit themselves, mind, body and soul, to your organisation is one of the central tenants at the heart of business success.
“But leadership is not a one-size-fits-all raiment; we’re all different and rarely are two leaders exactly alike however singular their achievements – you wouldn’t bracket together Richard Branson and Marjorie Scardino, but they are both famously successful. So we’ll be exploring common characteristics as well as different styles of leadership and when to apply them.”
As well as leadership characteristics and behaviours, the session will touch on wider questions that must be addressed, such as ensuring the company has a clearly defined purpose and shared values. “At the IoD, we are very clear in our belief that if you want to lead people in a certain direction you must make it clear where you’re heading, identifying both key milestones along the way and showing why they should follow you. You must give your teams the opportunity to feel part of your success and understand their contribution to it,” says David.
David is a course leader within the IoD’s Certificate in Company Direction, part of the IoD’s Chartered Director qualification.
More information about leadership training can be found on the IoD website or visit the IoD stand at the Conference.
