Many businesses are prioritising the development of effective leaders as the top priority in 2024, with a recent report finding that 65% are focusing on the development of “effective leaders for a changing business and workplace.”

This has been attributed to the pressing need to equip managers to guide businesses through current workplace challenges such as IR updates, flexidus, new starter retention amongst many others. To achieve this, employers will not only need to commit significant resources, but effectively plan in order to sustain focus throughout the year.

There is significant opportunity when it comes to developing leaders, with benchmarking results showing that the top performing businesses in both operational excellence and business value spend more time focused on organisational and leadership development.

Why is leadership development so important?

The people skills of leaders can make a significant difference amid volatile markets and disrupted workplaces. In order to succeed, managers must sharpen competencies around influencing employees while mastering new management techniques.

Improved workplace culture – Leaders have a huge influence on the workplace culture. A strong, reliable leader will bring a sense of purpose, vision, mentorship, and inspiration to others in the workplace. With leadership development, leaders will learn the importance of a strong link between managers and employees.

Better employee retention – Good leaders are able to recruit and retain top talent within the business. This helps to create a model that enables employees to develop within the business instead of leaving to pursue their goals elsewhere. Leadership development demonstrates a commitment to fostering high-performers, providing employees with a reason to devote their talents, time, and career to the business.

Adaptability – Leadership development will enhance a manager’s ability to adapt to change, which is more important now than ever. Evolution in Australian businesses is constant and inevitable, and good leadership requires a high level of flexibility to successfully navigate businesses though the complex and ever-changing HR and IR space.

Increased profitability – Leadership development helps to create managers who are capable of driving outcomes by enhancing engagement between managers and employees, encouraging a more innovative and productive workforce.

Workplace morale – By nurturing leaders who understand the importance of inclusion, communication and empowerment, leadership development can improve workplace morale. Good team morale will flourish as a result of communication flows from top to bottom, building trust and loyalty.

How can we help?

Our leadership development training will help build capabilities across your leadership team by creating targeted sessions to develop the skills and potential of your people to think more strategically in their roles. We will help to foster good leadership styles in existing and emerging leaders by establishing a solid foundation of skills to enable improved teamwork, productivity, and communication.

We know that a one fits all approach does not work for most businesses, so our training programs are specifically developed for the needs of your team. We can work one on one or in group sessions, delivering practical and engaging content that you and your employees can implement immediately.

In the ever-evolving HR landscape and roll out of significant IR reforms in 2024, business owners need to equip managers with the skills and resources to effectively navigate this space. If you need assistance, get in touch with our team – we can help!

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