Finding the leadership within you from a little help with Jenga and Plasticine

22 Jul, 2013

Wednesday 3rd July 2013 saw three members of ISO Quality Services attend a Leadership Training Course held by the Leadership Trust at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.  The Leadership Trust have recently become a patron of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, they hold courses at the Chamber, as well as all over the country.

The Leadership Trust are based in Weston under Penyard, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.  The Trust was founded in 1975 by David Gilbert-Smith as an independent charitable trust, after serving with the Special Forces he  knew that the leadership principles he  practiced in the Special Air Service were just as relevant in the commercial world.  In creating The Leadership Trust, David made it his mission to bring these qualities and insights to a wider community of leaders.  Their mission has not changed and those principles of using personal power to lead rather than authority power and learning to know and control oneself first before enabling others, are as relevant as ever.

Catherine Price and Jenni Collins attended the course which they found took a more holistic approach to leadership training including some practical tasks.  The girls were joined with around 5 others who also took part on the course that day.

The course seemed to be designed around thinking about what makes a good leader and what leadership qualities would inspire and motivate you personally.  The practical activities were then designed to allow you to reflect on how you worked as a team, and what good leadership and team player  qualities you thought you may or may not have.  The course also touched upon thinking of how you personally deal with scenarios that don’t go to plan, and whether you blame yourself or others.

The practical activities included in the course saw the group ‘building Jenga towers’ and designing their own restaurant and menu with the help of Plasticine.

Pictured: Jenni Collins, Accounts Manager (Second from left) with her team

Catherine Price, Client Relationship Office Manager, commented ‘It was a good day full of practical’s which I am not used to, I am more of a theoretical learner.  However it made me realise a few things about my management style without being preached at, looking at the way I operate, behave etc and how this can have an effect on my team.  It also made me think about what I can do to improve my management style’.

The group brainstormed thoughts on ‘How to be the best leader’ and ‘Your Leadership Considerations’ when leading others.

‘ To be the best leader’

 ‘ Your Leadership Considerations when leading others ‘

Jenni and Catherine all commented that ‘The course is built to be very interactive and hands-on, so there is no shying away!  A good course based on an holistic approach to learning about yourselves and your leadership skills’.

What are you waiting for – why not see what type of leader you are, maybe you’ll be surprised by the skills you already have?

For more information on The Leadership Trust contact 01989 767667 or visit http://www.leadership.org.uk/

For more information on joining the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce visit http://www.birmingham-chamber.com/