In an era of constant evolution, successful change initiatives are rarely the result of individual effort; they demand robust collaborative leadership and masterful stakeholder management. Navigating the complexities of organizational transformation requires leaders who can effectively unite diverse perspectives, build consensus, and leverage the collective intelligence of all involved parties. This comprehensive training course is designed to empower leaders with the essential skills and strategies to foster genuine collaboration and strategically engage stakeholders, ensuring smooth and effective transitions.

This intensive five-day program delves into the art and science of building powerful alliances, managing expectations, and resolving conflicts throughout the change lifecycle. Participants will learn how to identify key stakeholders, map their influence, and develop tailored engagement plans that drive commitment and mitigate resistance. By the end of this course, you will possess the expertise to lead collaborative efforts, transform potential roadblocks into pathways for success, and champion change with a unified front.

Duration: 5 days

Target Audience:

• Senior Leaders and Executives
• Change Managers and Program Directors
• Project Managers and Team Leads
• Organizational Development Specialists
• Human Resources Professionals
• Consultants involved in organizational change
• Cross-functional Team Leaders
• Individuals responsible for strategic partnerships
• Anyone leading or participating in complex change initiatives
• Professionals seeking to enhance their influence and negotiation skills

Objectives:

• Understand the principles of collaborative leadership in dynamic environments.
• Identify and map key stakeholders in a change initiative.
• Develop effective strategies for stakeholder analysis and engagement.
• Master communication techniques for building consensus and managing expectations.
• Learn to facilitate collaborative decision-making processes.
• Acquire skills for resolving conflicts and navigating diverse interests.
• Build high-performing, collaborative teams during periods of change.
• Measure the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement efforts.
• Create a personal action plan for enhancing collaborative leadership skills.

Course Modules:

Module 1: Foundations of Collaborative Change Leadership

• Defining collaborative leadership and its importance in change
• The shift from command-and-control to shared leadership models
• Understanding the benefits and challenges of collaboration in complex change
• Building a culture of trust and psychological safety for effective teamwork
• The leader's role in fostering an environment of open dialogue

Module 2: Stakeholder Identification and Analysis

• Methods for identifying all relevant internal and external stakeholders
• Tools for mapping stakeholder influence, interest, and impact
• Understanding stakeholder motivations, concerns, and potential reactions to change
• Prioritizing stakeholders based on their importance to the change initiative
• Developing a comprehensive stakeholder register for ongoing management

Module 3: Strategic Stakeholder Engagement

• Designing tailored engagement plans for different stakeholder groups
• Techniques for building rapport and establishing credibility
• Crafting compelling value propositions for diverse stakeholders
• Proactive communication strategies to keep stakeholders informed and involved
• Leveraging champions and influencers to drive change adoption

Module 4: Facilitating Collaborative Decision Making

• Principles of effective group facilitation in change contexts
• Techniques for leading productive meetings and workshops
• Encouraging diverse perspectives and fostering inclusive discussions
• Consensus-building strategies and managing disagreements constructively
• Ensuring clear action plans and accountability from collaborative efforts

Module 5: Navigating Conflict and Resistance

• Understanding the sources of conflict in change initiatives
• Strategies for mediating disagreements and finding common ground
• Techniques for addressing resistance from key stakeholders
• Turning conflict into opportunities for innovation and improvement
• Building resilience and adaptability within the stakeholder network

Module 6: Building and Empowering Collaborative Teams

• Assembling cross-functional teams for change initiatives
• Defining roles, responsibilities, and clear objectives for collaborative teams
• Fostering interdependency and shared ownership of change outcomes
• Providing support, resources, and coaching to collaborative teams
• Recognizing and celebrating team achievements throughout the change process

Module 7: Measuring and Sustaining Collaborative Success

• Establishing metrics for assessing the effectiveness of collaborative efforts
• Tools for gathering feedback on stakeholder satisfaction and engagement
• Analyzing insights to refine collaboration strategies
• Sustaining relationships and communication channels post-change implementation
• Developing a continuous improvement mindset for collaborative leadership

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.