In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving work environment, effective leadership is more crucial than ever. Gone are the days when managing people was simply about giving orders and expecting compliance. Modern workplaces thrive when leaders foster genuine communication, mutual respect, and teamwork. This is where Thomas Gordon’s Leader Effectiveness Training (L.E.T.) program steps in, offering transformative tools and techniques for managers and leaders who want to inspire and bring out the best in their teams.
What is Leader Effectiveness Training (L.E.T.)?
Thomas Gordon, a pioneer in the field of leadership and communication, developed the Leader Effectiveness Training program in 1977. L.E.T. is grounded in psychology and communication theory, focusing on equipping leaders with the skills to manage people by building trust, encouraging openness, and fostering a culture of collaboration.
The L.E.T. program emphasizes several core principles:
- Active Listening – The foundation of effective leadership, active listening helps leaders truly understand their team members’ concerns, perspectives, and motivations.
- Assertive Communication – Leaders learn to express their needs clearly and respectfully, reducing misunderstandings and fostering a more productive environment.
- Conflict Resolution – Through “no-lose” conflict resolution strategies, L.E.T. teaches leaders how to resolve disputes in ways that respect everyone’s needs and maintain team morale.
- Ownership of Problems – L.E.T. helps leaders identify who “owns” a particular problem, allowing them to provide the appropriate support without overstepping or neglecting necessary intervention.
These principles aren’t just tools for resolving issues; they are the building blocks of a resilient, motivated team that feels valued and empowered.
Why Leaders Need L.E.T. Now More Than Ever
Modern workplaces are more dynamic and diverse, with employees seeking more than just a pay check; they want a sense of purpose, recognition, and belonging. However, studies show that a significant percentage of employees feel disconnected from their organizations, often due to ineffective communication and a lack of trust in leadership. Thomas Gordon’s L.E.T. addresses these challenges head-on, providing leaders with the insights and skills they need to build genuine relationships with their teams.
The benefits of L.E.T. in the workplace are substantial:
- Increased Employee Engagement: Employees who feel heard and understood are more likely to engage and go above and beyond in their roles.
- Higher Retention Rates: When employees feel valued, they are less likely to leave, saving companies the high costs associated with turnover.
- Reduced Conflict: With open lines of communication and effective conflict-resolution strategies, workplace conflicts decrease, fostering a healthier work environment.
- Enhanced Productivity: Effective communication clears up confusion and aligns team members with shared goals, boosting productivity across the board.
Key Skills Taught in the L.E.T. Program
- Active Listening for Leaders – Unlike typical listening, active listening is an empathetic, responsive practice that involves understanding both the spoken words and the unspoken feelings behind them. L.E.T. teaches leaders how to listen in a way that makes employees feel respected and understood.
- Shifting from Power-Based to Influence-Based Leadership – Rather than relying on authority, L.E.T. emphasizes influence as a more sustainable and respectful way to lead. This means moving from directive control to collaboration, giving employees a sense of autonomy and shared ownership of outcomes.
- Conflict Resolution with Win-Win Outcomes – Conflict, while inevitable, doesn’t have to be destructive. The L.E.T. model uses problem-solving techniques to find solutions that satisfy all parties, rather than creating winners and losers. This “no-lose” approach is essential for long-term workplace harmony.
- Feedback Techniques that Build Rather Than Break – Feedback is a crucial part of employee development, but poorly delivered feedback can damage morale. L.E.T. teaches leaders how to give feedback that encourages growth and shows employees that their contributions are valued.
Success Stories: How L.E.T. is Transforming Workplaces
Organizations across the globe have adopted L.E.T., with leaders from diverse industries reporting significant improvements in team morale, communication, and overall performance. For example:
- Tech Startup: In a fast-paced tech environment, L.E.T. helped managers foster an open dialogue, reducing turnover and creating a workplace where ideas were openly shared, and employees felt empowered to innovate.
- Healthcare Organization: In a field where stress levels run high, healthcare managers used L.E.T. techniques to reduce conflicts and improve patient outcomes by creating a more collaborative team atmosphere.
Taking the First Step with L.E.T.
Whether you’re a seasoned executive, a manager, or a small business owner, L.E.T. offers you the opportunity to refine your leadership approach and build stronger, more effective teams. The L.E.T. workshops and training sessions, offered both in-person and online, provide hands-on, practical training tailored to real-world workplace challenges.
With Leader Effectiveness Training, leaders don’t just communicate; they connect. They don’t just manage; they motivate. If you’re ready to see a real impact on your team’s productivity and morale, it’s time to explore Thomas Gordon’s Leader Effectiveness Training. Start building a more harmonious, effective workplace where people thrive, trust one another, and work together to achieve shared goals.
- LET can be taught online or face-to-face. It is offered both as an in-house company activity and in groups open to individuals seeking to improve their communication, people management and leadership skills.
- An LET Course is typically taught over 3 days.
- Your LET trainer Brian Allen is the Director and Owner of Executive Seminars Pty Ltd. highly experienced Executive Coach and facilitator with decades of experience teaching the skills embodied in the LET program.
- Over the decades his client list has included organisations such as:
- Australian Institute of Management. Western Australia.
- Australian Jaycees – Townsville.
- Carmichael Ford – Townsville.
- City of Perth
- City of Stirling – Western Australia.
- City of Townsville – Queensland.
- Co-operative Bulk Handling – Western Australia.
- IBM – Western Australia.
- ICL Computers – Brisbane.
- NORQEB – Townsville (later Energex)
- Queensland Electricity Commission (QEC) CEO and Board level and into second and third levels of management.
- Widebay Burnett Board– Maryborough.
- Wormalds – Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth
Expressions of interest and questions to Executive Seminars Pty Ltd : brianallenassoc@yahoo.com.au or phone Brian Allen on 0449 798 909