The crucial link between leadership and training

In today’s fast-paced business world, adaptability is everything. Industries vary, markets shift, and emerging trends can reshape the competitive landscape overnight. Organisations that can’t keep up risk stagnation—or worse, irrelevance. That’s where leadership and training come in.

Strong leadership development is the driving force behind a company’s ability to thrive and evolve. Without it, the consequences are significant. Research from the University of Melbourne’s Study of Australian Leadership found that over 40% of businesses fail to meet performance targets because their leaders lack fundamental management skills.

After all, leading a team demands a specific skill set that takes time, effort, and education to master. Investing in leadership training equips professionals with the tools to make better decisions, build high-performing teams, and bolster innovation.

At Forsythes Training (RTO ID 40737), we have been delivering nationally recognised corporate training programs since 2005. In this guide, we’ll explore how to train leadership skills, the benefits of this development and what to consider when choosing the right program for your career and organisation. Let’s get started.

What is leadership training?

Leadership training is a structured learning process designed to build and refine essential skills for guiding, motivating and supporting a team. It equips individuals with the knowledge and strategies needed to lead teams effectively and drive organisational success.

This training can take various forms, including:

• Leadership courses: Formal educational programs, available via virtual classroom and in-person, that provide valuable lessons on leadership styles, strategic thinking, and team management.
• Mentorship opportunities: Hands-on learning experiences where aspiring leaders observe, interact with, and gain insights from seasoned executives.
• In-house development programs: Customised training initiatives tailored to equip emerging and existing leaders with the competencies required within their specific organisation.
• Post course coaching: Reinforcement of learnt concepts and to check in with mentor/trainer on how to continue applying the new skills

Investing in leadership development empowers individuals to lead with certainty, flexibility, and impact, making it a valuable asset for both personal growth and business success.

Regardless of your career stage, leadership training offers key advantages. If you’re new to leadership, it lays a solid foundation in areas like communication, decision-making, and problem-solving.

For senior leaders, advanced training can help refine your ability to navigate industry shifts, strengthen organisational vision, and spark innovation within your company.

More on this below.

Why is leadership training important?

Without proper leadership training, managers often struggle to effectively guide their teams, leading to a cascade of issues that can harm both employee morale and business performance.

Here’s what can happen when leadership skills are lacking:

• Communication breakdowns: Without strong communication skills, leaders may fail to set clear expectations, leading to confusion, frustration, and inefficiency.
• Poor decision-making: A lack of strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities can result in costly mistakes, missed opportunities, and reactive rather than proactive leadership.
• Low team morale: Ineffective leadership often leads to unmotivated employees, decreased productivity, and high turnover rates, as teams feel unsupported and undervalued.
• Unresolved conflicts: Poor conflict resolution skills can allow workplace tensions to fester, creating a toxic work environment and damaging team relationships.
• Inability to adapt to change: Without leadership training, managers may struggle to navigate industry shifts, technological advancements, or organisational challenges, leaving their teams unprepared for change.

Leadership training helps prevent these pitfalls by providing managers, supervisors and other roles with the tools needed to build a high-performing team for long-term success.

Read on to unpack the benefits of pairing leadership and training.

What are the benefits of leadership training?

While leadership training requires time and commitment, the benefits far outweigh the investment. Strong leadership directly contributes to a company’s growth by fostering a productive, motivated workforce and steering the organisation toward its goals.

Here, we deep dive into each benefit of leadership training.

Smooth change management

Change can make or break a team. Managed well, it fuels innovation and progress by ensuring seamless transitions within an organisation. Handled poorly, it leads to confusion, resistance, disrupted workflows, and delays.

Strong leadership ensures change happens with purpose, not chaos. A well-executed change management strategy involves careful planning, clear communication, and proactive problem-solving to minimise disruption and maintain operational efficiency.

Moreover, the best leaders don’t just respond to change—they drive it. They refine what works, fix what doesn’t, and push for bold new ideas.

As managing change is a complex, multi-layered process, comprehensive leadership training is essential. This fosters the necessary skills to guide your organisation through change by focusing on key areas such as:

• Understanding change drivers: Identifying internal and external forces that necessitate change.
• Strategic planning: Developing a structured roadmap to implement new initiatives effectively.
• Clear communication: Ensuring transparency and alignment across teams to foster trust and engagement.
• Anticipating challenges: Recognising potential obstacles and preparing contingency plans to keep transitions smooth.

With the training needed to create an adaptable culture of continuous improvement, you can turn uncertainty into opportunity and keep your organisation moving forward.

More engaged team members

When leaders genuinely connect with their teams, recognise strengths, and create growth opportunities, they foster loyalty, motivation, and high morale.

Employees who feel valued don’t just show up—they engage, contribute, and thrive. This leads to higher productivity, lower turnover, and a stronger, more successful organisation.

But even the best teams resist change. Not because they don’t care or the strategies are flawed, but because uncertainty is uncomfortable.

Therefore, skilled leaders don’t force change; they guide teams through it and inspire them to progress. Leadership training gives participants the tools to turn resistance into momentum, including:

• Opening the conversation: Encouraging honest feedback gives employees a sense of ownership.
• Listening with intent: Understanding concerns helps leaders address fears before they escalate.
• Involving teams in the process: People are more likely to support change when they help shape it.

With improved leadership capabilities, organisational change becomes a shared journey—one that strengthens morale, builds trust, and drives lasting success.

Clearer communication

Clear communication is at the core of great leadership. Leaders and managers don’t just assign tasks—they inspire, align teams with a shared vision, and foster an environment where ideas flow freely. Keeping everyone informed ensures expectations are understood, feedback is constructive, and motivation remains high.

Training in leadership communication skills tends to focus on topics like:

• Message clarity: Delivering messages in a way that is direct, concise, and easy to understand.
• Active listening: Engaging with team members, understanding concerns, and responding thoughtfully.
• Non-verbal communication: Using body language, tone, and expressions to reinforce messages.

Ultimately, improved communication leads to deeper relationships, higher engagement, and smoother collaboration. When leaders express themselves clearly and listen with intent, they create a workplace where people feel valued and motivated to perform at their peak.

Smarter decision making

Strong leaders make tough calls with confidence. Every choice they make—whether big or small—affects their team, their organisation, and long-term success.

To navigate challenges effectively, leaders need the ability to think critically, assess risks, and act decisively. Leadership training improves decision-making by developing:

• Problem-solving skills: Identifying challenges, evaluating solutions, and implementing the best course of action.
• Strategic thinking: Aligning decisions with business goals, company values, and long-term vision.
• Risk assessment: Weighing potential outcomes to minimise mistakes and optimise results.

Well-trained leaders don’t just make decisions—they make the right decisions. By refining their judgment and approach, organisations can trust that their leadership is guiding them toward sustainable growth and smarter resource management.

Improved productivity

Powerful leadership propels productivity. When managers effectively prioritise, delegate, and guide their teams, work gets done faster, smarter, and with better results.

In terms of leadership and training, the right programs help managers master time management, streamline processes, and ensure tasks are assigned to the most suitable people.

Key benefits of leadership-driven productivity include:

• Efficient task delegation: Leaders distribute work based on strengths, ensuring every team member contributes effectively.
• Greater employee growth: Proper delegation creates opportunities for team members to develop new skills and advance in their roles.
• Higher team morale: A well-led team feels supported, valued, and motivated to perform at their best.
• Better business outcomes: Increased productivity leads to stronger organisational performance, improved customer satisfaction, and long-term growth – a positive cycle that continues to spur success.

Stronger stakeholder buy-in

Getting stakeholders on board is crucial for the success of any initiative, but different groups have different priorities. What excites one stakeholder may not matter to another.

For example:

• Frontline employees may support changes that simplify processes, reduce workload, or improve job security.
• Department heads might prioritise initiatives that enhance team performance or align with long-term business strategy.
• Investors or board members often back changes that drive revenue, strengthen market position, or improve operational efficiency.

While external approval is valuable, internal buy-in is essential—your team will be the ones making the changes happen. Leadership training provides practical strategies to build trust and alignment, such as:

• Highlighting early wins: Demonstrating quick, tangible results builds confidence and momentum.
• Recognising contributions: Acknowledging those who embrace and drive change encourages others to follow.
• Involving stakeholders in decision-making: Giving people a voice increases commitment and reduces resistance.

To implement these strategies effectively, choose leadership programs that incorporate real-world case studies and interactive learning. The more engaged your stakeholders are, the smoother the transition—and the greater the impact of your initiatives.

How to find the right leadership training program

Great leaders aren’t born—they’re built through experience, learning, and continuous growth. Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time or sharpening your executive skills, the right training program can be a game-changer.

But with countless options available, how do you choose one that truly delivers?

Consider these three essential factors.

1. Choose a format that works for you

Leadership training isn’t one-size-fits-all. The best program is one that works for you, whether you thrive in interactive discussions, self-paced study, or hands-on workshops. Consider:

• Company-sponsored training – Ask HR about internal programs designed for leadership development.
• Live workshops and webinars – Short, engaging sessions offering practical, real-time insights.
• Online certifications – Flexible, accredited courses that build credibility and career flexibility.
• Advanced business degrees – A deeper dive for those looking to cement their leadership expertise.

While internal programs can help you rise within your company, external certifications expand your career potential, equipping you with skills that apply across industries.

2. Prioritise your growth goals

Before diving in, ask yourself: What kind of leader do I want to be?

Identifying your strengths and areas for improvement will help you find a program that hones your skills and fills the gaps.

The best leadership training teaches and transforms. A powerful framework helps leaders balance day-to-day execution with long-term development, ensuring real-world impact while sharpening strategic thinking.

For example, conflict avoidance is a common leadership challenge. Many managers struggle with difficult conversations, fearing confrontation will damage team morale.

However, avoiding conflicts often leads to bottled-up frustrations, unresolved issues, and decreased productivity. According to a CPP Inc. study, workplace conflicts cost U.S. businesses $359 billion annually in lost productivity.

Leadership training provides the skills to handle disagreements constructively, turning difficult conversations into opportunities for growth and collaboration.

3. Weigh up the Return on Investment

Every training program requires an investment—whether it’s time, money, or effort—so it’s crucial to compare the benefits.

A great leadership program should deliver:

• Career acceleration – Certifications and training boost your qualifications, making you a strong candidate for promotions.
• Higher earning potential – Leadership skills give you leverage in salary negotiations.
• Impact beyond yourself – According to Gallup, companies with strong leadership training see higher profits, increased productivity, and stronger employee retention.

While internal training is often free, external leadership programs can pay for themselves in long-term career gains. The key is finding one that offers skills you can immediately apply to lead smarter, not harder.

Enrol in a leadership training course today

Is your employee stepping into a leadership role?

Are your current leaders ready for the future?

Strong leadership is the backbone of any thriving organisation. Yet, many new leaders lack the self-awareness, emotional intelligence, communication, and conflict-resolution skills needed to succeed. Without these essentials, it’s impossible to create, support and retain a high-performing team.

Investing in leadership training ensures that leaders are not just filling positions but excelling in their roles—equipped with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to drive success.

Based in Newcastle NSW, Forsythes Training (RTO ID: 40737) has been empowering participants with Leadership training courses for decades.

Our practical two-day Leaders for the Future course and Effective Leadership program give leaders the insight and tools to build better working relationships with their team.

We offer flexible delivery—on-site at your workplace, with the option for participants to join remotely via a virtual classroom. Plus, we provide individual and group coaching for ongoing support beyond the course.

For a more structured qualification, our BSB40520 Certificate IV Leadership and Management is designed to meet the evolving needs of workplaces, leaders, and supervisors. This blended program reduces training days while incorporating workplace-based learning, making it ideal for existing supervisors looking to strengthen their skills.

The next intake starts March 2025—join us face-to-face in Newcastle or via live virtual classrooms. Participants will complete the nationally recognised qualification over seven workshops in just nine months.

We also offer the 12-month BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management.

Take the leap and contact our team today!