The Art of Implementation: Using Influence When Formal Authority Won’t Cut It
The premise of this course is that implementing programs/services is 1) a critical part of your job, and 2) usually requires very good influence skills. How do you implement a program involving a coalition of players from other organizations over which you have no authority? How to move forward when necessary resources are lacking, or when the program seems to be “OBE” (overtaken by events) and senior leaders lose interest? What to do when key stakeholders can’t agree on the strategy? How to deal with the “veto holders” who have the power to undermine the program?
This workshop addresses these and other issues. We will:
- Identify the key speed bumps to effective implementation
- Learn how to “start before you start,” so that your project team has the background knowledge it needs to work effectively when it begins meeting
- Analyze several government case studies of effective and poor implementation
- Watch video clips of effective implementation behaviors and strategies
- Use simulations
- Use a self-assessment instrument to give you feedback on your use of 7 different kinds of influence
- Give you opportunities to practice your influence and communications skills, and get feedback in a safe setting
What you’ll leave with:
- Seven tested strategies to use when implementing projects and other activities
- A tool to assess which strategies and tactics to use in various situations
- Greater confidence in your ability to communicate, with your team and key stakeholders
- Several methods for building relationships, with both supporters and those who oppose your efforts
- A copy of Russ’ book, Leading Across Boundaries, which includes detailed examples of implementation efforts and why they did or didn’t succeed
- A concrete action plan on a current or upcoming project you need to implement
Objectives
1. Identify the key implementation hurdles, and 7 strategies for addressing them,
2. Understand the importance of “starting before you start,” and how to do so,
3. Learn and practice an approach for increasing informal influence skills,
4. Analyze case studies to identify effective implementation strategies, and
5. Apply the learning to an important challenge in your office.
Workshop Length:
1-2 days
Cost:
1-day: $3,000 plus expenses.
2-days: $6,000 plus expenses.
This is the cost to put on the workshop for groups up to 30, at the client’s location.
Contact:
E-mail: russlinden1946@gmail.com
Phone: 434.242.8586
Notes:
1. Participants are encouraged to bring members of their team to the workshop, in order to plan one of their projects together.
2. Workshops are customized for each client, and are offered at a location and on a date suitable for the client.
Who Should Attend:
The workshop is targeted to mid-level and senior managers, with responsibilities for managing programs and projects.
What participants say about The Art of Implementation: Using Influence When Formal Authority Won’t Cut It.
What Participants say about The Art of Implementation: Using Influence When Formal Authority Won’t Cut It
"This instructor's knowledge, background, and experience was evident throughout. He shared excellent insights. And his special guest speaker also added greatly to the course."
"The course was excellent. Russ is a great instructor, who provided valuable coaching for my leadership challenge. I'll use the Implementation Worksheet to help me execute a very important project in my organization."
"He uses a great variety of learning methods - simulations, video clips, in-depth cases, creative exercises - and really knows how to engage all of the participants." "Expertly done. I'm ready to take a lot of what we learned back to my office tomorrow."
"Expertly done. I'm ready to take a lot of what we learned back to my office tomorrow."