Updated: October 25, 2022

17 Leadership Training Programs

Here is our list of the best leadership training programs.

Leadership training programs are short-term courses designed to equip participants with essential management skills and increase leadership capacity at work. Examples include Yale Global Executive Leadership Program, Leadership Coaching Strategies, and Women in Leadership. These programs aim to help participants discover their leadership abilities and easily tackle challenges at work.

These programs are great for team building management and team building leadership. Participants will learn invaluable leadership competencies and management skills and emulate good leadership qualities.

This list includes:

  • free leadership training programs
  • online leadership training programs
  • leadership training programs for managers
  • senior leadership training programs
  • first-time leadership training programs

Here we go!

List of leadership training programs

Leadership training programs equip individuals with communication, problem-solving, active listening, and decision-making skills. Ranging from Yale Global Executive Leadership Program to First Time Managers Development Program, here are the best leadership programs you and your employees can take.

1. Leadership and Coaching/Management Styles

Leadership and Coaching/Management Styles is one of the best free leadership training programs integrated through EdApp. You can learn different leadership styles with this program. If you desire to become a CEO or are already one, then you will find this course helpful.

Leadership and Coaching/Management Styles covers vital leadership skills, including recruiting and onboarding best practices and tips for creating effective working cultures. Furthermore, the program reminds learners that all leaders are not the same. Therefore, participants can implement different leadership styles that better suit their circumstances. This online program is fully editable. Thus, you can rebrand the course, add your own slide, and even change the text to your preference.

Learn more about Leadership and Coaching/Management Styles.

2. Women in Leadership

Women in Leadership is a women-focused program offered at London Business School. This program is great for women executives with ten or more years of experience in management. The program combines in-person and online learning formats for the best experience for participants.

Women in Leadership is the ideal program for women leaders with executive and functional management responsibilities. You will learn new leadership approaches, including how to navigate changes at work. You will also have an opportunity to meet and network with leading female managers from different backgrounds worldwide. The organizer will work with your sponsors to help create a good action plan. Knowledgeable professors, including Aneeta Rathan, and Isabel Fernandez-Mateo, lead this program. Furthermore, participants must be two or three levels from C-suite in their current position to participate in this program.

Learn more about Women in Leadership.

3. Building Your Leadership Skills by HEC Paris

Building Your Leadership Skills by HEC Paris is one of the best leadership training programs that teach core principles at an individual level. Alongside leadership, you can expect to improve your skills in communication, self-confidence, and human resources. The course takes approximately 18 hours to complete. You will also receive a certificate of participation after completing the program.

The pricing starts at around $80 per month. However, financial aid is available for students that cannot afford the enrollment fees. The course is beginner-friendly. Students will learn to be self-aware while gaining insight into unique leadership styles. The veteran professors taking this program will equally teach you skills of The Savoir-Relier methodology. You will also master the steps for successful leadership, including conversation, resilience, responsibility, and introspection.

Learn more about Building Your Leadership Skills by HEC Paris.

4. Think Like a Leader with Brian Tracy

Think Like a Leader with Brian Tracy is a great online leadership training program. Top companies like NetApp, WordPress, and Eventbrite offered this course to their employees. You do not need any prior leadership knowledge to participate in this training.

Brian Tracy, a leader with decades of experience in the business, writing, and research fields, is the course instructor. Tracy will teach you or your employees the daily habits you need to change to become powerful leaders. You will also gain insight into the eight core pillars of leadership, which include communication, teamwork, and strategic planning. The program features a three-hour video fully accessible on TV and mobile devices.

Learn more about Think Like a Leader with Brian Tracy.

5. Leadership Coaching Strategies

Leadership Coaching Strategies is one of the best leadership training programs for managers offered by the Harvard Division of Continuing Education. The course is set to last two consecutive days. The program features an experiential learning approach and case studies to teach participants about leadership. You will also learn about the qualities to look for if you plan to hire new coaches at work.

Leadership Coaching Strategies is ideal for internal managers and HR professionals who wish to improve their leadership abilities. However, you cannot take this course if you are already a certified coach or have extensive experience in coaching. You will earn a Certificate of Leadership Excellence when the program ends.

Learn more about Leadership Coaching Strategies.

6. Free Leadership Training for Nonprofit Professionals

Free Leadership Training for Nonprofit Professionals is an online program offered by NonprofitReady. This training is excellent for both new and experienced leaders. The program is free and will last three hours.

There are several topics you can choose and learn at your own pace, such as:

  • Developing a Team
  • Building a Leadership Plan
  • Key Management Skills
  • Transitioning from an Individual Contributor to a Manager

Also, you can access more than 40 resources on these topics to help you master good leadership skills. You should consider taking this free program if you want to enhance your management skills or if you are new to the nonprofit sector.

Learn more about Free Leadership Training for Nonprofit Professionals.

7. Risk Management for Corporate Leaders

Risk Management for Corporate Leaders is a virtual leadership program promoting virtual networking and discussion groups with your peers. The training is excellent for individuals with corporate management duties, including board members, chief financial officers, and public relations executives.

Risk Management for Corporate Leaders is one of the best senior leadership training programs. Team members can attend this program together to learn how to deal with risk, especially in situations requiring staff collaboration. The program will show you how to recognize and turn down opportunities likely to put your company at risk. You and your peers will also learn how to sustain operations at work during critical times.

Learn more about Risk Management for Corporate Leaders.

8. Yale Global Executive Leadership Program

Yale Global Executive Leadership Program is a long-term training facilitated by the Yale School of Management. The program centers around teaching leaders about leadership in global business. This course will teach you invaluable leadership skills and gain strategic insights. Also, participants will reflect on how to apply the skills learned during the program.

In addition, the program teaches participants how to manage uncertainties and deal with difficult situations as leaders. Yale Global Executive Leadership Program will run for ten months, with the fee estimated at around $60,000. You will receive a certificate of participation after completing the session.

Learn more about Yale Global Executive Leadership Program.

9. LinkedIn Learning’s Coaching Skills for Leaders and Managers

Coaching Skills for Leaders and Managers is one of the leadership training programs you can take on LinkedIn to improve your skills. The program runs for 34 minutes. Sara Canaday, the program instructor, is an award-winning author and leadership strategist. This guide enlightens participants on the difference between coaching, managing, and training. Also, you will look into common challenges faced when coaching a team.

The course has a cost, however, you can take advantage of the free trial of LinkedIn Learning for a month. Furthermore, the course features various assessment tools for students to test their knowledge. You will receive a shareable certificate of participation once you complete the course.

Learn more about LinkedIn Learning’s Coaching Skills for Leaders and Managers.

10. Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading

Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading is a great online leadership training program. Alongside the basics of team leading, you will learn how a business operates and better ways to communicate with stakeholders.

The training will run for ten weeks on average. In addition, this program is beginner-friendly. Attendees will also enjoy unlimited support from the tutors. Online materials and assessments provide valuable lessons on leadership and highlight key takeaways. In the end, you will receive a digital certificate of completion.

Learn more about Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading.

11. Leadership Skills in Business

Leadership Skills in Business is among the best free leadership training programs. The program covers the essentials you need to know as a leader, including:

  • How to select your business team
  • How to manage a team
  • Types of organizations business leaders often manage
  • Difference between a boss and a leader
  • Steps to determine staff pay
  • Disciplines of business ethics

The total time spent on this course is around 90 minutes to three hours. Furthermore, this program will teach you how to lead a productive team and make your business grow.

Learn more about Leadership Skills in Business.

12. Leadership Essentials by Michigan State University

Michigan State University offers Leadership Essentials, an insightful course for junior to mid-level managers and aspiring supervisors. The program will teach you the basics you need to know about leadership, including how to act as a leader and where to start.

Leadership Essentials focuses on four areas, which are:

  • Leadership in the Supervisory Role
  • The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Assessment
  • Leading People and Processes
  • Leadership Behaviors that Overcome Challenges

This course equips learners with strategies to lead effectively. Furthermore, you will learn how to use scheduling, prioritization, and time management to improve your team’s efficiency.

Learn more about Leadership Essentials by Michigan State University.

13. Leadership Development Program by MIT SMR

Leadership Development Program by MIT SMR is among the best online leadership training programs integrated through Skillsoft. Millions of professionals worldwide use this learning platform to upgrade their leadership skills.

There are several courses offered in the program, including:

  • Leadership Networking
  • Leading Your Team
  • Leadership Insights on Building & Leading Teams
  • Leadership Insights on Leading a Customer-Centric Culture
  • Developing People

You can choose any of the courses based on your leadership goals. In addition, the courses come in various formats, from books and live boot camps to audiobooks and videos. A video lasts an average of eight minutes. You will also receive a digital badge after completing a course.

Learn more about Leadership Development Program by MIT SMR.

14. Oxford High Performance Leadership Programme

If you aim to inspire people you lead with exceptional leadership strategies, then you can take the Oxford High Performance Leadership Programme. This program only requires a short commitment and lasts five days.

The course focuses on how students can maximize performance through other persons. You will also master steps to develop self-insight as a leader. Business leaders, including senior managers and directors, can take this course. Oxford High Performance Leadership Programme will also let you master techniques for solving toxic situations at work. To enroll in this program, participants must have at least five years of experience in leadership.

Learn more about Oxford High Performance Leadership Programme.

15. Leadership Development Program by the Center for Creative Leadership

Leadership Development Program by the Center for Creative Leadership is among the best senior leadership training programs. The training focuses on six core leadership skills, including self-awareness, resilience, influence, and communication. The training can occur in-person and online, depending on whichever format you find most convenient. Also, the fee for online or in-person programs is around $7,800.

You can expect personalized feedback after taking various assessments during the coaching session. This Leadership Development Program will run for five days within 16 weeks. The training aims to help participants understand their leadership styles. You will learn how to thrive in your managerial duties and personal life.

Learn more about Leadership Development Program by Center for Creative Leadership.

16. Training Program for First Time Managers by Step Learning

Step Learning offers a training program targeted toward first-time leaders. The training will first start with a program lasting two days. Afterward, participants will go through a three-month plan to apply skills they learn from the program to real-life situations. You and the other participants will then share your experiences and challenges faced in the past three months. Alongside learning from the experiences, you will also find motivation from these real-life scenarios.

This training program will teach you to handle your team, especially if you and your team members used to be on the same level. You will also learn how to create a balance between being overly friendly and tough with your team.

Learn more about Training Program for First Time Managers by Step Learning.

17. First Time Managers Development Program

InspireOne offers First Time Managers Development Program to provide insights for individuals new to leadership. This program is one of the best first-time leadership training programs and runs for nine weeks.

During the training, you will learn critical areas to focus on while leading a team. The program also highlights the challenges many new leaders face while playing their roles, from stakeholder management to accountability. The course will teach you what you need to know as a leader and how to guide your team through growth and development. This program is available in various languages, including English, Korean, Dutch, Greek, French, Hindu, Polish, and Russian.

Learn more about First Time Managers Development Program.

Conclusion

Leadership training programs are invaluable tools individuals occupying managerial positions can use to manage a company effectively. These programs will teach you what you need to know as a leader. Depending on your level, the courses can be beginner-friendly or specifically designed for individuals with years of leadership experience. Investing in a leadership training program for your employees is typically a good idea. This step will improve communication at work and help leaders at different tiers in your company to gain more confidence in their leadership abilities. Furthermore, the programs serve as a networking ground to connect with other individuals in the leadership field.

Next, check out these leadership styles and leadership conferences. We also have a list of fun leadership activities for work.

FAQ: Leadership training programs

Here are answers to questions about leadership training programs.

What are leadership training programs?

Leadership training programs include professional training and courses on business strategies and leadership skills. These programs often allow participants to discover and work on their unique leadership styles. You will also learn how to connect with people and avoid opportunities that can put your business at risk.

What are the best leadership training programs?

The best leadership training programs include:

  • Leadership Development Program by Center for Creative Leadership
  • Leadership Development Program by MIT SMR
  • Leadership Essentials by Michigan State University
  • Oxford High Performance Leadership Programme
  • Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading
  • Risk Management for Corporate Leaders

These programs prepare leaders to tackle challenges at work and lead a more productive team.

How do you make a good leadership training program?

To make a good leadership training program, you should define the program’s goals. The goal can be to introduce participants to the concept of leadership or help experienced leaders improve existing skills. Also, plan how the learning journey will go for participants. You can have your employees take the program together or learn at their convenient pace. Also, decide how long the program will last, whether a few hours or several months. In addition, determine how to measure the program’s impact on the participants. You can consider the number of employees that completed the training successfully and got promoted at the end.

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People & Culture Director at teambuilding.com.
Grace is the Director of People & Culture at TeamBuilding. She studied Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Information Science at East China Normal University and earned an MBA at Washington State University.

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