At Futures RPI we know how complex leadership and management can be. To create the most meaningful and effective leadership development processes possible, we use an experience-based competency model to identify the core skills, abilities and knowledge we believe every leader or manager needs to be successful. Our goal: giving you the information and tools you need, developed and tested in real-world settings, in the simplest way possible.

Our approach is based on an experiential and evidence-based ‘Effective Leader’ Competency model.  The ELC model (shown here on the right) is founded on our personal experiences as senior leaders and on what we’ve learned from working with hundreds of experienced managers and leaders, from the front line to the boardroom.  The competencies identified in the model span all industries and all levels of leadership. These are the skills, behaviors, and awareness we’ve consistently found to be critical requirements for success in virtually every leadership or management position.

That said, we make no assumptions about what the development needs of our clients may be. Our process includes a learning and needs analysis designed to focus in on the topic areas that your leaders will benefit from the most. Using a range of innovative processes including individual interviews, focus groups, surveys, in-depth narrative capture, or a combination of all these, we get to the heart of what will benefit your organization the most. We then craft a specific leadership development process that will yield the results you are looking for.

Supporting the Learning

Rather than a one-off event, at Futures RPI we see leadership development as an ongoing process – creating a culture of learning and development. To support this process, we offer clients a Learning Resource Portal – customized to the needs of your business, and to the look and feel of your corporate brand. Additional services, such as monthly newsletters are also offered.

Whatever your needs, from a single course, complete program, individualized coaching, formal mentoring programs, or group based action learning projects, Futures has the leadership development programming options you need.

Development Activities

Leadership Development programs that are delivered through a single method are less efficient and effective than those that choose the most appropriate method of delivery for each learning opportunity. For this reason, at Futures we utilize three methods of learning:

In Person: Instructor led sessions that utilize a range of individual and group activities to reinforce learning.

Instructor led online learning: Using cutting edge delivery tools, online group sessions, led by a facilitator are provided over a number of weeks in 2 hour learning sessions. Online sessions are supported by supplemental reading, and where appropriate group activities.

Instructor supported eLearning: Leaders work through online curriculum at their own pace, with support provided by an instructor who can be contacted via email.

Learning that requires a considerable amount of role-play and practice (such as conflict management or interpersonal communication) are best delivered in-person, enabling participants to practice skills in a safe environment under expert coaching conditions. Learning that is complex, but doesn’t require role playing, such as Leading Change, or Developing High Performance Teams, can be effectively delivered using online Instructor Led Learning.

Finally, learning that is heavily fact based, and can be supported by online resources, such as Leading Effective Meetings, or Project Management, can be delivered effectively using eLearning, along with email support or group mentoring. The benefits of using a combination of approaches are many. Combining learning modalities saves money and time. It is also more flexible than using a single method as many leadership development companies do.

Whatever the mode of learning, all of our instructors have at least a Masters level education in fields like organizational psychology, leadership, or business administration, as well as many years of experience leading teams of all sizes.