Exploring leadership
<p>Orientation course for anyone in two minds about taking on a management role or who has just started. You explore whether the role suits you and practise delegating, giving feedback, coaching and handling difficult conversations.</p>
NRTO quality mark
Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so feel free to book now.
In brief. Exploring Leadership is a classroom course of 2 days. You attend it in Amsterdam and The Hague, in a group of no more than 8 participants. The price is EUR 1300,- excl. VAT per participant, including course materials, lunch on location and a certificate of attendance. We also run this course for a team or department in-company.
- Find out whether leadership suits you before you take the step
- Work with the Situational Leadership model of Hersey and Blanchard
- Practise delegating, feedback and difficult conversations from your own working life
- A small group and direct feedback from an experienced trainer
- Go home with a personal development plan as your starting point
Are you considering the step into a management role, or have you just started? This course helps you explore whether the role suits you. You gain insight into what managing people really demands and practise the skills you need to do it well.
Description
Managing people sounds appealing: more influence, more responsibility, a next step. But what does it mean when you actually do it? What does it demand of you in terms of time, energy and behaviour? And does that fit who you are and what you want?
In this course you first look at the role itself. What are the tasks, which styles exist, and what comes your way when you start leading a team? You work with the Situational Leadership model of Hersey and Blanchard and explore which style suits you.
After that, you start practising. Delegating, giving feedback, holding a coaching conversation, addressing someone's behaviour: these are the things that matter in day-to-day practice. You practise with situations from your own work and receive direct feedback from the trainer and the other participants.
By the end you will know whether a leadership role suits you and which direction of development makes sense. You go home with a personal development plan that allows you to take the next step concretely, or to deliberately choose a different direction.
Topics
- What leadership involves: myths, reality and responsibilities
- Your motivations: why you are considering this step
- Leadership styles, from directive to coaching
- Situational leadership according to Hersey and Blanchard
- Which style suits you and where your room for development lies
- Delegating: what to delegate, what not to, and how to go about it
- Giving feedback: purpose, structure and practice with your own cases
- Holding a coaching conversation: asking questions, leaving space, giving direction
- Difficult conversations: addressing behaviour, correction and appraisal interviews
- Dealing with resistance and emotion in a conversation
- Personal development plan: where you stand and what your next step is
Result
After this course you will know whether leadership suits you and which leadership style fits who you are. You understand what the role involves and have let go of the romantic notions around it. You have practised the core tasks and know where your strengths lie and where you still want to grow.
Specifically, by the end you will be able to:
- Putting into words what does and does not appeal to you about managing people
- Recognising and naming your own leadership style
- Switching between directive and coaching styles as the situation requires
- Delegating tasks effectively without letting go or micromanaging
- Giving feedback in a way that lands and works
- Holding a coaching conversation with open questions and space to think
- Starting a difficult conversation without avoiding or confronting
- Making a well-founded choice about your next step in leadership
Target audience
This course is for anyone who is unsure whether leadership suits them, and for people who have just started and want to get their bearings on how to fill the role.
The course is intended for:
- Senior staff considering the step to team leader
- Project leaders who are going to lead a team and want to fill the role well
- Newly appointed managers who know how to approach their first months
- Experts who are strong on content and wonder whether managing people might also be something for them
- Anyone who is unsure whether a management role suits them
Teaching method
You work in a small group with an experienced trainer who has managed people for many years. The first part is about reflection and insight: you examine your motivations, get to know the different leadership styles and work with the Situational Leadership model. You gain a clear picture of what the role demands and what suits you.
The second part is mainly about doing. In role plays you practise delegating, giving feedback, coaching and holding difficult conversations. You always work with situations from your own practice, so that what you practise is immediately usable. The trainer gives direct feedback on what you do and the effect it has on the other person.
At the end you draw up a personal development plan. That gives you a concrete starting point for your next step, or grounds for deciding not to take on a leadership role (for now).
Prior knowledge
No specific prior knowledge is required. You do need work experience and a concrete situation in which managing people comes, or will come, your way. Think of a team you will soon be leading, a role you have doubts about, or an organisation that sees you growing in that direction. Without that context it is difficult to practise with your own cases.
Comments
Bring one or two concrete situations from your own work that you would like to practise with. Think of a conversation you keep postponing or a task you want to delegate.
Practical information
- Number of days
- 2 days
- Course times
- from 10 am to 5 pm
- Teaching hours
- 12 hours
- Education level
- Suitable for all levels
- Preparation time
- None
- Included
- Course materials and lunch on site
- Certificate
- At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance
- Cancel
- Free up to four weeks before the start (cancellation terms)
Language
The course is given in Dutch as standard. The trainer speaks English. English-language course materials can be used. If at least 3 participants register, the course can also be given entirely in English.
In-company
Would you like to organise this training for a whole group or several groups? This can be cost-effective. For example, we can tailor the content entirely to your organisation, and training a whole group is also cheaper.
Are you looking at large numbers of participants or a complete academy? That involves a great deal. Consider planning and communication, for example, or identifying and agreeing the objectives and content of the training. Or differences in level, feedback mechanisms and safeguarding. Fortunately, Learnit has extensive experience in this field (more than 25 years) and we are happy to help you through this process.
Request a quote More about Introduction to Management in-company
All start dates
2 training days. In order of date.
- Thu 4 & Fri 5 February 2027 Amsterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 7 January Enrol
- Tue 27 & Wed 28 July 2027 The Hague · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 29 June Enrol
No suitable start date? Send us a date request, and we'll look at the options together.
This course by city
- Leadership in Amsterdam9 dates
- Leadership in The Hague7 dates
This course for your team?
Plan your own group on a date that suits you, at your office, at our premises or online. We tailor the content to your day-to-day work, and training a whole group is cheaper than individual bookings.
- Your date and location
- Tailored content
- Multiple groups or an academy are also possible
- More than 25 years' experience
What others say about this course
“The Learnit Training course was well tailored to our working situation, which makes it highly applicable. It was also delivered in an enjoyable way.”
“I found it a pleasant training course. Course material and exercises alternated nicely. The trainer could easily switch to questions from practice. I thought that was great. The pace was good. The training afternoons flew by and for me that is also a sign that it was good.”
“I learned a great deal about myself, which is not what I expected. Great trainer and I learned an enormous amount.”
“A tailor-made training course that responded well to our requirements and in which a good number of management skills were practised.”
“Good course, certainly worthwhile.”
“It is an introduction to coaching. On that basis you can go on to practise this skill further or look for more in-depth knowledge of coaching leadership.”
"At the start of the course the trainer radiates a sense of trustworthiness, which allows you to open up more. This benefits the rest of the course."
"The course met my requirements and I learned a great deal from it. A good learning process."
“The trainer's professionalism in particular appealed to me. She was very flexible in how she presented the material. A good alternation of exercises and theory.”
"I had taken management courses before, but I was very pleased with the approach of this course, which focused on working with volunteers. It was an eye-opener."
"Enjoyable and instructive course that gives you a picture of the basic skills of a new manager. The trainer is flexible and creates the right atmosphere in which you can easily practise new things without feeling 'assessed'. All in all a very useful experience and a good addition to my existing knowledge and experience."
"At the start of the course the trainer radiates a sense of trustworthiness, which allows you to open up more. This benefits the rest of the course."
“During this course, theory and practical examples alternated nicely! The theory discussed reinforced my conviction as to why you can act in a particular way in certain situations. I thought the trainer came across as very professional. You can tell she really knows what she is talking about and that she was very good at responding to what we needed at that moment. Sometimes, for example, we discussed a particular situation that had occurred at work: she would then immediately come up with practical tools we could use next time we found ourselves in such a situation. She was also good at connecting the theory to practice. The practical examples made the theory much clearer to me.”
"A practical training course with clear examples and opportunities to practise. And an enthusiastic trainer!"
"This training course has something to offer both experienced and new managers."
“A highly interactive course that is easy to apply in practice, led by a pleasant trainer.”
“This course offers a broad range of insights and skills that you can apply when managing volunteers. The trainer's experience and expertise, combined with the small number of participants, left plenty of room to bring in our own cases, which makes it directly applicable in practice.”
“Good course, certainly worthwhile.”
“Very spontaneous and clear!”
"Good course with plenty of room for case studies. Very experienced trainer who reads the group well."
"Good course, delivered in a very enjoyable way."
“An extremely instructive and enjoyable course! You can apply what you have learned in your work straight away.”
"Excellent course in which the learner also has plenty of input into the topics and learning objectives. I have regularly attended courses at Learnit Training and this suits me well. Highly recommended."
“This course makes you aware of how important communication is, but also of the role you play in it yourself and of the fact that you have a behavioural choice to change a situation. You also learn to look more closely at why some situations do not work and how you could adjust this.”
"A very enjoyable and useful course! I gained plenty of tools and insights for dealing better with the group of volunteers. Lots of opportunity to practise with my own cases, which really helps you retain the material!"
“Well tailored to my own situation thanks to the small group; general models gave good insight into my own strengths and points for improvement. The level was good. I am very satisfied with the course. Much of it was already (partly) familiar to me, but even so it was excellent to think it through in the light of the current situation and to take a moment to reflect on it.”
“Well tailored to my own situation thanks to the small group; general models gave good insight into my own strengths and points for improvement. The level was good. I am very satisfied with the course. Much of it was already (partly) familiar to me, but even so it was excellent to think it through in the light of the current situation and to take a moment to reflect on it.”
“A course that gives you insight into your own behaviour and that of others, and provides tools for dealing with it.”
“The course was very instructive, particularly because the trainer went into situations from our own working environment in depth.”
“A good, practical course that will certainly bring benefits in the future. A highly professional and capable trainer who keeps inspiring you.”
“Interesting course with a good balance between theory and practice.”
“Enjoyable course and a good, clear explanation.”
“The course was interesting and provided a number of eye-openers. I also learned a great deal about myself again.”
“The course was very good and practical. The advantage of a small group appealed to me enormously. The trainer's broad expertise and the ample attention given to each individual were superb. A real winner for me.”
“I found the content of the course very interesting. I learned a great deal, particularly on the second and third day. The quality of the course material was excellent, and so was the pace (which was adjusted where needed). The content is tailored to the wishes of the group. I found the trainer professional and pleasant to deal with.”
"The course met my requirements and I learned a great deal from it. A good learning process."
“This course makes you aware of how important communication is, but also of the role you play in it yourself and of the fact that you have a behavioural choice to change a situation. You also learn to look more closely at why some situations do not work and how you could adjust this.”
“For the Managing Volunteers course we spent a day with Mieke from Learnit. In one day Mieke took us through various practical tools for managing volunteers. I learned a great deal from the course and enough practical situations were covered for me to grow further in managing volunteers.”
“As usual, we are once again extremely satisfied with the content of the course and the professional way in which the trainer delivered it. The trainer knows our company and our people and makes excellent use of that to get the maximum return from the courses.”
“A very good course that, thanks to its personal approach, ties in very well with personal learning objectives. I really enjoyed sparring with fellow participants about everyone's learning objectives in this way. I found giving and receiving feedback from the fellow participants and the trainer very positive. In short, a course that is genuinely of added value to me!”
"The Leadership course comes highly recommended. I gained plenty of practical tools that you can put to use straight away. The course took place in a small group, so there was good personal attention and all participants had the space to go into cases from their own organisations in more depth!"
“A very varied and informative course with plenty of room to develop your own leadership style.”
“This course offers a broad range of insights and skills that you can apply when managing volunteers. The trainer's experience and expertise, combined with the small number of participants, left plenty of room to bring in our own cases, which makes it directly applicable in practice.”
“The course was very comprehensive, excellent in terms of content and certainly applicable in practice! Plenty of practice with the camera on, which leaves a lot of room for feedback, self-reflection and deeper insight into your own behaviour and skills. Highly recommended!”
"'An enjoyable and instructive course that gives you a great deal of insight into your own qualities, while also offering tips for dealing with your weaknesses.'"
"Enjoyable, instructive course. Clear explanations and plenty of opportunity to ask questions."
“It is a course that gives you plenty of practical tools.”
“I found the Leading Change and Reorganisations course instructive. The trainer phoned every participant before the course and asked which topics were important to them. She shaped the course around these topics, among other things. This made the course more targeted. In addition, there were four of us in total, so our learning objectives were covered intensively. Definitely a good course!”
"'An enjoyable and instructive course that gives you a great deal of insight into your own qualities, while also offering tips for dealing with your weaknesses.'"
“A very varied and informative course with plenty of room to develop your own leadership style.”
Training formats
Classroom
2 days€ 1300,-- Pleasant venue with a good trainer
- Small groups
- Inspiring and motivating
In-company
Bespoke trainingOn request- 100% for your group
- Bespoke training
- At your place or ours
Workshop
Up to 4 hours for groupsOn request- Suitable for events
- Interactive and inspiring
- Large groups too
Private training
At our place or yoursOn request- 100% just for you
- Achieve a lot in little time
- Whenever you want
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel free of charge?
Yes. Up to four weeks before the first day of the course you can cancel free of charge, without giving a reason. You then receive a credit note or, if you have already paid, a refund. If you cancel later, you pay part of the course fee: 25% between four and two weeks before the start, 75% in the two weeks before it and 100% in the final week. Moving to another start date is free of charge up to two weeks before the start, after that 50%. Sending a colleague in your place is always possible. Read the cancellation terms.
What does the Exploring Leadership course cost?
You can find the current price at the top right of this course page, along with the schedule, location and delivery format. For in-company or bespoke courses we are happy to provide a quotation on request.
Do I need prior knowledge or management experience to take part?
No, experience as a manager is not required. The course is specifically intended for people who are in two minds or who are just starting out. What does help is having a concrete situation in which a leadership role is coming your way or will do so. Without that context it is difficult to practise with your own examples.
Who is this course intended for?
For anyone considering a leadership role or who has just started in one. That could be a senior employee thinking about becoming a team leader, a project leader who is taking on a team, an expert wondering whether leadership suits them, or a newly appointed manager who wants to fill the role deliberately. Doubts are welcome; in fact, they are the starting point of the course.
What exactly will you learn in this course?
You learn what leadership really involves in terms of tasks and responsibilities, which leadership styles exist and which one suits you. You work with the Situational Leadership model and practise the core skills: delegating, giving feedback, holding a coaching conversation and tackling a difficult conversation. At the end, you draw up a personal development plan.
Is the course classroom-based, or can it also be followed online?
This course is delivered in a classroom setting, in a small group on location. That is a deliberate choice: much of what you learn comes from practising with role play and reading non-verbal signals. That works less well remotely. For organisations, we also offer the course in-company, so that you can work with your own team or colleagues.
Do I receive a certificate on completion?
Yes, afterwards you receive a certificate of participation from Learnit. This shows that you have taken the course and worked on your orientation towards managing people. It is not an exam certificate, as the course focuses on reflection and skills rather than on assessment.
What do the working methods look like?
You alternate between reflection assignments, short blocks of theory and plenty of practice. The practice takes place in role plays based on situations that participants bring in themselves. The trainer gives direct feedback on what you say and do and on the effect it has on the other person. You also receive feedback from fellow participants, who often add valuable observations from their own practice.
Why take this course instead of reading a book on leadership?
A book gives you knowledge, this course gives you experience. You can read everything about giving feedback, but only once you have held a difficult conversation in a safe setting and received direct feedback do you know what it asks of you. The combination of reflecting on yourself and practising with your own cases is not something you get from a book.
Can I apply what I have learned in practice straight away?
Yes, that is the starting point. During the course you practise with situations from your own work, so that what you learn is already linked to your context. Your personal development plan gives you a concrete starting point for the weeks that follow. Some participants also use the plan in conversations with their own manager or HR to give further shape to their development.
Is there a follow-up if I do actually take on a leadership role?
Yes. If you decide after this course to take the step into a leadership role, Learnit offers several follow-up options. Consider courses such as Leadership for Beginners, Coaching Leadership or Situational Leadership, which go into more depth on style and conversation techniques. In your development plan, you discuss with the trainer which direction makes the most sense.
I am a subject-matter expert considering a management role. Is this course suitable for me?
On the contrary. Many participants are experts who are good at their profession and wonder whether they are also suited to managing others. During the course you explore what you need to let go of in your expert role in order to make room for your team. You gain insight into how leadership and subject-matter work relate to each other and what that means for you.
What if, after the course, I conclude that a leadership role isn't right for me after all?
Then the course has done its job too. Consciously choosing not to become a manager is a valuable outcome, certainly when that choice is based on what the role really demands and not on an assumption. You have got to know yourself better, you know what you do want to develop and you have a well-founded case to put to your employer. Better to have clarity now than to spend a year in a role that does not suit you.
Next start date: Thu 4 & Fri 5 February 2027 in Amsterdam
Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so you can secure a place now.