COURSE DETAILS
Leadership for Engineers
Description
Leadership for Engineers teaches skills needed to lead projects, drive innovation, and influence others in an engineering role or similar technical role. Participants learn the differences between leadership and management and how to develop specific leadership abilities that are important to engineers and technical professionals. The most important leadership traits that apply to engineering and technical project leadership responsibilities are emphasized. Participants engage in exercises that assess their individual leadership abilities and provide guidance for further development.
Case studies and real-life examples illustrate how the principles apply on the job. The Leadership for Engineers case studies and examples are drawn from a broad range of product development team environments at small, medium, and large companies serving many industries. You will also benefit from the instructor’s direct experience contributing to successful engineering projects for over 25 years.
Leadership for Engineers enables you to:
- Become more influential
- Improve ability to lead projects and teams
- Identify leadership development goals specific to your needs
- Get more support for ideas that will benefit your company
- Build rapport with managers and peers
- Improve team communication
Agenda
What is Leadership?
- Characteristics of a great leader
- Influence without authority
- How leadership facilitates good management
- Leadership myths and misconceptions
Leadership Challenges in Engineering Environments
- Understanding your audience
- Perception about benefits
- Getting support for new ideas
- Understanding management’s perspective
- Case Study: “Wasting Time on Documentation”
Leadership vs. Management
- Leadership and management call on different abilities
- Warren Bennis’ perspective
- Management skills relevant to all engineers
- Self-assessment part one
Communication Strategies
- Becoming a better listener
- Fulfilling interests and engaging your audience
- Inspiring action
- Addressing diverse communication needs
- Communicating a vision
- Goal-oriented communication
The Art of Influence
- Opportunities for building rapport
- Building rapport with managers
- Helping others to see your view
- Give, take and compromise
- Self-assessment part two
- What to influence?
- Three important objectives
- Action plan
Dealing with Conflict
- Range of conflict
- Constructive, healthy conflict vs. destructive behavior
- Engaging conflict avoiders
- Ideal conflict model for innovation
Building Trust and Respect
- Overcoming teamwork obstacles
- 20 elements of trust and respect
- Maxwell’s Five Levels of Leadership
- Case studies
- Self-assessment part three
- Development plan
What’s Included
Leadership Toolkit – Leadership for Engineers workshop participants receive a comprehensive guidebook, case studies, assessments, a personalized development plan, and tip sheets.
Follow-up Coaching – One-on-one sessions with the instructor to ensure successful implementation of leadership goals.
Who Should Attend
This program is designed for anyone responsible for leading technical teams:
- Design Engineers
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Test Engineers
- Software/IT Developers
- Technical Marketing Engineers
- Applications/Support Engineers
- Project Leaders/Managers
- Engineering Managers/Supervisors
- Prospective Managers
Pricing
Contact us for facilitation and pricing options.
Registration Options
Program Leaders
Gary Hinkle
Principal Management Consultant
Engineering Leadership & Management
Agile Methods for Hardware Development
Organizational Productivity
Contact Us to Schedule
Other Programs in This Series
Prepares engineers to navigate the challenges of managing engineering teams and perform at a very high level.
In this course we explore leadership focus areas that are typically critical, and we’ll discuss your specific challenges to help you work on leadership traits that matter most.
Develops a breadth of skills needed for leading teams, managing projects, and building influence with stakeholders.
Teaches the fundamentals of project management, and an approach to project planning that enables teams to develop realistic, comprehensive plans quickly.
Teaches skills needed to lead projects, drive innovation, and influence others in an engineering role.
