- Individual, team and organizational leadership training classes are offered on site by companies such as the Ken Blanchard Companies with the goal of driving performance and productivity improvements in the immediate workplace. Other vendors, including Development Dimensions International, deliver on-site leadership training courses designed to prepare executives to adapt their leadership style to the constantly changing global marketplace. The non-profit American Management Association offers public seminars covering various leadership training subject areas, including project management, strategic planning and communication skills.
- Pioneers in the field of leadership training, including Fred Fielder, Robert House, Ken Blanchard and Bernard Bass, have developed theories on what motivates effective leaders, what results these leaders can have on their subordinates and how leadership effectiveness can be assessed. For example, Bass's Transformational Leadership theory states that successful leaders "increase their subordinates' awareness of the importance of their tasks and the importance of performing well." In addition, House's Path-Goal Theory suggests that the most successful leaders have charted out paths to higher performance that are used to motivate subordinates. Leadership training courses are often designed with these theories in mind.
- Leadership training is used to help managers and high-level executives become more effective in motivating all employees to perform in a manner that aligns with the overall corporate goal. Leadership training courses are particularly helpful when changes in a workforce result in a senior executive presiding over a new, younger employee group. Also, leadership training is crucial after a veteran senior executive retires and a less experienced employee is forced into a leadership position.
- Leadership training can result in more than just an accomplished and respected manager. Employees led by properly trained leaders are often more content in their jobs. They report a higher level of motivation and a sense that their daily tasks are contributing to the overall health of the organization. Companies have also reported that a more satisfied workforce is also more productive, and turnover in headcount is greatly reduced.
- Leadership training is beneficial to a range of employees throughout an organization's ranks, not just the chief executive officer or other top executives. Any department manager, front line manager or team leader who manages an individual or a group of employees can benefit from leadership training courses. For example, the customer service department often experiences the most direct link to customers, so the leader of this team can benefit from training that results in both a satisfied employee and client base.
