Here are some activities and strategies to develop leadership and decision-making skills:
Leadership shadowing: arrange for apprentices to shadow a senior leader within the organisation. Have them observe meetings, decision-making processes, and interactions.
- Follow up with discussions to reflect on leadership styles, challenges faced, and lessons learned. This observation will help learners to observe and learn from experienced leaders.
- Outcome: this observation helps learners to observe and learn from experienced leaders.
Leadership workshops and training: offer structured environments where apprentices can acquire and practice key leadership skills through interactive components such as role-playing, group discussions, and case studies.
- Include simulations of leadership scenarios where apprentices must lead a team, make decisions, and manage conflicts.
- Outcome: builds confidence in managing teams, making decisions, and communicating effectively.
Decision-making frameworks: equip apprentices with decision-making frameworks and tools to enhance their problem-solving abilities.
- Teach apprentices to use frameworks like SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) or the DECIDE model (Define, Establish criteria, Consider alternatives, Identify the best choice, Develop a plan, Evaluate the decision).
- Outcome: enhances structured and strategic thinking in decision-making processes.
- Resource: Decision-Making Techniques
Leadership and decision-making projects: assign apprentices to lead small projects or teams where they must make decisions and manage team dynamics.
- Provide real-world scenarios where apprentices must develop a project plan, delegate tasks, and make strategic decisions to achieve project goals.
- Outcome: Develops practical leadership experience and decision-making skills.
Peer Leadership Groups: Create peer leadership groups where apprentices can practice leadership and decision-making in a supportive environment.
- Rotate leadership roles within the group, allowing each apprentice to lead a session, make decisions, and facilitate group discussions.
- Outcome: builds confidence and leadership experience in a collaborative setting.
