Developing Leaders - Winning Hearts and Minds

It’s not enough to deliver a great programme; if your participants don’t want to be involved, it will fail.

An effective leadership development initiative may ruffle some feathers. It will take people out of their comfort areas; some will feel threatened and react defensively usually by trying to avoid participation or attacking your programme of activity.

A successful leadership development initiative will take this into account; an appropriate strategy of communication will be devised to win the support of participants and other influencers. At Blue Water we will advise on the design of a strategy and if required provide some or all elements of that strategy as follows:

Communication Strategy Design

With our extensive experience we know just how to get it right. We are able to take a holistic look at the stakeholders and the environment in which they are operating, with a view to designing a communication strategy that will promote understanding and co-operation. Any communication strategy will have a number of elements that in unison achieve the desired outcome.

Website

A web base devoted to your leadership initiative can fulfil many functions, from simply informing (structure, content, dates, expectations), to hosting interactive elements of the learning experience.

Print Fulfilment

As with all other elements of a communication strategy none will standalone. Printed material needs imagination and flair in its design and execution; and must complement the other messages and message media being used.

E communication

Newsletter and email formats alongside efficient database management are the key to communication. All images and front line word structures must mirror those used in all other communication formats within the strategy.

Briefing of Key Influencers

There will frequently be a range of stakeholders with an interest in your leadership development initiative. Some of them may not even know they have an interest until they are informed about the programme and its potential impact. These parties need briefing in a way that gains their support or minimises their opposition.