Experiential learning allows participants to develop key leadership skills through practical, hands-on training. By engaging with real-world scenarios and putting the theory they’ve learned into practice, professionals can hone their skills, try out different techniques and find the leadership approach that works for them.
At the heart of experiential learning is the belief that we absorb information most effectively when we’re able to actively participate in the learning process. The technique puts trainees into realistic simulated business environments and gives them the chance to test a range of professional skills and techniques.
By placing the participant at the centre of the scenarios, experiential learning gives them valuable insight into how their behaviours, decisions and communication style impact others. They can then receive practical and relevant feedback on how they can improve and adapt this approach in the future.
Because experiential learning takes a hands-on approach, it also makes it easier for participants to understand and remember the techniques they’ve learned during their training session. By taking these skills out of the classroom and demonstrating them in simulated situations, experiential learning helps to ensure key leadership techniques are not just learned, but ingrained into the professional approach of the participant.
Emotional intelligence is an essential component of good leadership. Having a high level of emotional intelligence allows leaders to connect with their employees, understand their motivations, resolve conflict and build a cohesive and productive workforce. Emotional intelligence can also help leaders to be more self-aware and can make it easier for them to understand how their approach will impact those around them.
Experiential learning promotes emotional intelligence by showing participants how their words and actions affect others. Through role play and simulations, trainees can see first-hand how adapting their leadership style can affect the outcome of the situation.
One of the most significant advantages of experiential learning is that it connects leadership development training with the realities of the business world. The best experiential learning uses real-world situations that are taken from the industry or area most relevant to the trainee. This ensures the skills that leaders acquire aren’t only theoretical but are directly applicable to their roles.
Through participating in experiential learning, professionals will therefore build confidence in their abilities and learn how to better handle the complexities of their workplace.
Creating a culture of continuous improvement can help any organisation to grow and develop. Taking part in training that includes experiential learning allows leaders to demonstrate to their team members that there’s always something new to learn.
During training sessions, leaders can learn, and practice, a number of development techniques such as 360˚ feedback and behavioural profiling. Mastering these methods can help them to promote continuous improvement within their team and build a more productive and dynamic workforce.
To learn more about experiential learning and the training sessions we offer, get in touch with a member of our team today.
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