During his career, Jon Cowell has has been exposed to all manner of leadership styles - from supportive and empathetic business managers to enraged Sergeant Majors! However, in reality, and despite their reputation, most competent military leaders have a much better understanding of leadership skills and styles than their civilian counterparts due to the constant and early exposure their leadership receives. There's nothing like leading a group of hardy, experienced Paratroopers for focusing the mind!

This exposure allows competent leaders to develop a suitable style for particular circumstances plus the flexibility to seamlessly move between the styles or even operate at different levels simultaneously.

However the art of successful leadership is part natural talent and part developed, however, even in the military. Therefore to create the necessary self analysis required to become a successful leader, the Army Education Corps came up with two excellent training programmes.

Whilst progressing through the ranks, Jon was exposed to a number of standard military training programmes which included the School of Infantry's Qualities of a Leader, required for all Infantry soldiers wishing to take command, and the School of Education's Man Management, required learning for promotion to Sergeant.

It was whilst delivering Survival Technique lessons at the the College of Military Training that Jon first considered combining the main elements of both training courses into one leadership programme.

Later on, recruiting service personnel in 1995, Jon was first able to deliver the revised course to potential recruits, schools and colleges and to civilian suppliers. Seeking feedback from this early exposure, Jon devised a less military format for his presentations.

On his return to civilian life, although Jon's core business was operational and general business management, his successful team building skills quickly became apparent. As a result, he was invited to share his skills and experience and the current Qualities of a Leader programme was born.

Continuous improvement is not only a skill of a good leader, it is also a prequisite of a good training programme and further exposure to many blue chip companies - including PolyGram Records, Universal Music, the award winning Computacenter, Exel Logistics, Unipart Distribution and Madison - have resulted in a fully developed, up-to-date training programme.

Much success has been enjoyed by organisations creating classes with all levels of personnel - from senior managers and team leaders to supervisors and potential managers. Not only does it allow the more experienced to consider how they measure up without the embarrassment of exposure but it also allows their teams to see the difficulties which leaders must overcome on a daily basis.

The Qualities of a Leader training programme can sit comfortably alongside or within a business supervisor and/or manager training programme. Alternatively it can function as a stand-alone training day to assist in the development and bonding of business teams.

By challenging preconceived ideas and providing a fully interactive method of tuition, the training methodology allows the most dynamic of participants to shine without leaving the more introverted members behind. The process allows full participation of all students resulting in everyone reaching the successful conclusion at the same time.

Ideally, the course can be held over two days which allows participants to go away and reflect upon the day's training before returning to consider more advanced elements including the Principles of Leadership. Alternatively, a reduced version held in house (The Lunch Break Course) allows participants to attend work, enjoy a shortened version of the course over lunch and then return to work enlivened and motivated from their learning.

A fully participative lesson in leadership lasting 3 hours for teams or classes of 4 - 12. Dealing with the key qualities, students are required to provide their own thoughts and observations on what makes a good leader and which leaders in society share these qualities.

A more detailed look at what makes a good leader underpinning the Qualities identified in lesson 1. From 3 hours duration for classes of 4 - 12.

Stage 2 expands upon the basic model in a more contemporary manner lasting 6 - 8 hours for classes from 4 - 12 and includes the following:

• Introduction to The Complete Personality
• Perception and Management
• Understanding Problems with Morale
• A Decision Making Model
• Motivation
• The Deployment of Resources
• Effective Communication
• Control
• Leadership Styles
• Leadership Summary

Bespoke training courses can be developed according to your particular needs. Please email jc@britishduathlon.org with your requirements.

The Lunch Break Course of 5 hour duration costs £400 for groups of 4 - 8 students and includes Qualities of a Leader and an Introduction to Principles of Leadership.

1 day courses cost £600 for groups of 4 - 12 students and includes Qualities of a Leader, Principles of Leadership and an introduction to People Management.

2 day courses cost £1,000 for groups of 4 - 12 students and includes Qualities of a Leader, Principles of Leadership and People Management.

For more information please contact Jon on 07590 470097 or email jc@britishduathlon.org.

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