Diploma in Leadership and Supervision

People who are promoted or who move to supervisory or managerial positions from technical or professional backgrounds often are “thrown in at the deep end” without formal management training. The material in this course demystifies management and offers a comprehensive guide to what to expect and how to cope with people and tasks, and a highly practical overview of the principles and practice of effective leadership for small to medium-sized organisations. The course handbook provides essential learning in easy chunks, accessible explanations of theory and tips, techniques and tools to enable leaders to become effective in every area of the organisation.

Topics include understanding the organisation, exploding myths about management, the corporate board, the CEO, core leadership, self-management & communication skills, strategic leadership of the organisation, recruitment, and personnel management.

This revised and extended 2010 version of the course uses a new edition of the textbook which has approx. 100 additional pages, giving more in-depth information and expanded sections on topics in leadership and performance management. Web references are integrated in the textbook providing explanations, examples and further study of key topics.

The course will be helpful to consultants, coaches, investors, HR professionals and those new to business management; as a preparation for more complex or “academic” business courses, as a preparation for promotional or career-change interviews, as a bridge-builder for professionals who need to liaise with managers, as a refresher and confidence-builder for established managers coping with change.

The course material is American-based and suitable for the international student. Though students may apply from any country, gap year students seeking to work in the US, or those hoping to emigrate to the States, may find it provides useful background. Most of the course material is based on general principles and is very similar to what is expected in the UK. However, the course does not cover UK business and employment law and regulations, and students needing knowledge of business-related laws in any specific jurisdiction will need to supplement the course with other reading and study. Many firms, though, provide on-the-job training and education in such matters as part of induction and employee development.

This course is based upon procedures in profit-making enterprises. A special version of this course is under development for non-profits. Please enquire if you are interested in the non-profit version.

Companies - you can use this course, supplemented with your own training materials, to prepare employees to be candidates for promotion, or as a supplement to your induction package.

What the course covers (this syllabus is subject to change):

Introduction
Understanding Organisations: the systems view, culture, life cycles of the organisation, founder's syndrome, analyzing problems
Myths of management
Distinction between supervisors, leaders and managers
Structure and operations of a Board of Directors
Liaison between Board and Employees
Leading and Self-Development
Leading by Understanding
Leadership and Organizational Change
Role of the Board in Leadership
Team Organization and Leadership
Leadership and Personnel Policies
Performance Management including an introduction to Coaching
Identifying and Dealing with Founder's Syndrome

The above only gives an outline: in the textbook itself, various interesting ideas and problems are discussed that can be eye-opening if you have not been immersed in a corporate management environment before. You will gain new appreciation of what it means to be a manager! Tips are given for best practice, survival and success in a variety of situations.

A professional-level textbook of over 260 large-format pages is required as the main book for the course (equivalent to approx. 400 average sized pages). There is a special website linked to the textbook with further information and resources to enhance your learning. The book will serve as a valuable guidebook and reference throughout your career, to be consulted for solutions to hands-on situations. This textbook comes FREE with the course for UK students only. Please allow 28 days for delivery. (If you are outside the UK we will give you details of how to purchase the book on-line from the USA). The textbook we have selected, created by experts, is not normally available in UK bookstores.

Method of assessment

There is a two-phase assessment - a comprehensive multiple-question paper tests the student's knowledge of the course content. This method of assessment allows the busiest of executives to be able to complete the course in a timely manner. There is the option of writing an essay in order to gain a Distinction level in the qualification. All assessment work may be done at home or office and e-mailed or posted to the college.

The course leads to a private UK qualification and Diploma certificate from UK College of Holistic Training.