Leaders of Leaders
Paradox II:Â The Paradox of Leaders of Leaders
Being entrusted with the role of a leader of leaders can evoke a mix of emotions—a thrilling sense of accomplishment (having earned the position) intertwined with a daunting responsibility (how can I effectively guide other leaders?). When promoted to such a pivotal position, one might initially embrace the allure of leading other managers only to discover that garnering followership among experienced leaders demands a different approach. As the opportunity to lead leaders arises, the magnitude of the role may seem overwhelming. It prompts introspection—are you heading in the right direction? How assured and composed do you feel? What kind of leader are you evolving into?
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As seasoned leaders and coaches of leaders, we acknowledge the critical juncture in your leadership journey as you become a leader of leaders. We also understand that this stage can be profoundly isolating. Consequently, we have devised a leadership group program tailored to address the paradox of being a leader of leaders. In this program, you will find camaraderie, guidance, and a supportive network to navigate the unique challenges that come with leading those who lead. Embracing this paradox and nurturing your leadership acumen will lead to greater effectiveness, growth, and impact in your organization and beyond.
Who is this for?
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Leaders of leaders recently appointed at that level
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Leaders of leaders who want to enhance their leadership skills or improve team engagementÂ
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Executives who want to set their managers for successÂ
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HR managers who want to better support leaders or help improve people engagementÂ
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Any leader who wishes to take some time to assess the different components of their role
The challenges
Conflicting priorities
Mid-level managers face unique challenges such as being caught between senior leadership and employees, having conflicting priorities, lacking role clarity, and feeling overwhelmed by administrative tasks. This leads to high levels of stress, burnout, and turnover.
Critical role
However, mid-level managers play a critical role in organizations by translating strategy into execution, managing teams, developing employees, and bridging communication between hierarchies. They directly impact productivity, innovation, employee retention and company performance.
Investment for future returns
Investing in mid-level manager support, training, and empowerment has been shown to improve financial returns, with companies that have top-quartile mid-level managers achieving 3-21x higher total shareholder returns over 5 years. (McKinsey, June 2023)
The solution
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Kick-Off Session (2h, remote): opportunity to connect with other participants, define clear learning goals and engage in a transformation journey
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Retreat (4 days): away from the day to day, take some time to reflect on yourself, your team and your circle of influence.
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OOO Coaching (3x1h, remote): individual coaching for each participant spread over the course of the programÂ
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Conclusion Session (2h, remote): opportunity to take in your learnings, celebrate your progress and take your journey forward.
How it works
This program especially designed for leaders of leaders can be organised around a 4 day retreat. Here is the program:
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Session 1: Kick-Off session (2h, remote)
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Session 2: Retreat in offsite location, to be determined, Germany. As always, each day is organised around a Leadership-Paradox© theme:
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Day 1 (PM): Go slow to go fast​ (Connect, design a strong alliance, create a psychologically safe learning environment, define your objectives for the week)
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Day 2: Work or Life (Design work life harmony in alignment with values and authenticity, being effective, learning to say no and yes... defining your boundaries)
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Day 3: Power or Dependance (Explore the opportunities and challenges of leading leaders)Â
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Day 4: My need or your need (Go beyond trying to influence and understand the implications of collaboration)
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Day 5 (AM): Land or Take-off (Summarize your take-aways, create your plan and forward your actions)
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Individual Coaching (3x1h) available to support your learning and actions during the entire length of the program
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Session 3: Conclusion Session (2h, remote)​
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Your program managers
Susan Kuepfer
20 years of coaching experience.
Mountain lover who does not compromise on lifestyle.
Pierre-Laurent Verdon
Brings leadership, caring and tough love into coaching to help you dream big and make it real.
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