Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Differentiate between formal management and informal, non-positional leadership.
• Apply principles of emotional intelligence to enhance professional relationships and team morale.
• Utilize strategic communication and persuasion techniques to gain buy-in and influence decisions.
• Master the art of effective delegation, coaching, and mentoring to develop colleagues.
• Navigate organizational politics ethically and build strong cross-functional alliances.
• Drive and manage minor departmental change initiatives through effective influence.
• Project a confident, professional presence and serve as a positive role model for the team.
• Develop a personal leadership action plan for continuous growth and impact.

Target Audience:

• Senior Administrative Assistants and Executive Assistants
• Office Managers and Department Coordinators
• Administrative Staff who mentor or coach junior colleagues
• Professionals seeking to advance into management or supervisory roles
• Anyone who needs to lead initiatives without direct reporting authority
• Individuals looking to enhance their professional presence and influencing skills

• Role-playing scenarios focused on delegation, coaching, and motivating a challenging team member.
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ) self-assessment and group discussion on applying EQ principles.
• Case studies on successful administrative leaders who drove change without formal authority.
• Interactive exercises on strategic communication and persuasion techniques.
• Individual exercise: developing a personal leadership action plan with measurable goals.
• Group activity: mapping organizational influencers and potential allies for a mock project.
• Video analysis and critique of executive presentation and influence styles.

Unit 1: The Foundations of Non-Positional Leadership

• Understanding the critical difference between authority and influence.
• Identifying the unique leadership opportunities within the administrative role.
• Adopting a strategic, growth mindset instead of a purely tactical approach.
• Serving as a positive, ethical role model and champion for professional standards.

• Assessing personal strengths, weaknesses, and preferred leadership style.
• Mastering self-regulation and managing personal stress under pressure.
• Developing empathy and understanding the perspectives of colleagues and executives.
• Utilizing feedback effectively for continuous personal and professional growth.

Unit 2: Building Influence and Trust

• Techniques for building a reputation for reliability, consistency, and expertise.
• Communicating professional value and accomplishments to senior leadership.
• Managing conflicts and resolving disagreements diplomatically and fairly.
• The role of consistency and integrity in building lasting trust and rapport.

• Tailoring messages to the audience to gain maximum impact and buy-in.
• Using data and logic effectively to support administrative recommendations.
• Mastering verbal and non-verbal cues to project confidence and authority.
• Techniques for asking for resources, time, or support in a compelling way.

Unit 3: Team Development and Delegation

• Identifying the potential and development needs of junior administrative staff.
• Applying a structured coaching model to guide skill and career development.
• Providing timely, constructive, and motivating performance feedback.
• Serving as a trusted knowledge resource and a bridge between management and the team.

• Identifying tasks suitable for delegation and matching them to the right person.
• Clearly communicating expectations, resources, and acceptable outcomes.
• Implementing a system for monitoring progress without resorting to micro-management.
• Empowering colleagues to take ownership and celebrate their successes.

Unit 4: Navigating Organizational Dynamics

• Defining organizational politics and understanding its positive and negative uses.
• Identifying key influencers and decision-makers outside of the formal hierarchy.
• Building strategic alliances and cross-functional partnerships to support initiatives.
• Maintaining a neutral, ethical, and objective stance in departmental conflicts.

• Understanding the common stages of organizational change and resistance points.
• Communicating the "Why" and the benefits of new administrative policies or systems.
• Enlisting early adopters and using their influence to drive team acceptance.
• Sustaining change by integrating new practices into permanent team culture.

Unit 5: Personal Leadership Action Plan

• Techniques for increasing visibility and participation in strategic discussions.
• Mastering public speaking and presentation skills for executive audiences.
• Setting boundaries and managing the perceived availability of the administrative leader.
• Crafting an influential professional narrative for performance reviews and career talks.

• Identifying formal and informal leadership development resources (books, mentors, courses).
• Conducting a 360-degree feedback assessment for a holistic view of influence.
• Setting measurable, time-bound goals for leadership skill development.
• Creating a personal action plan for continuous growth as an administrative leader.