What is Leaders At All Levels?
Leaders At All Levels offers on-site training in fundamental leadership, communication and  teamwork skills to all employees throughout NIB's network of associated agencies. In 2005, NIB piloted Leaders At All Levels as part of the nationally recognized Business Leaders Program, which includes the NIB Fellowship and Business Management Training, and is dedicated to providing business and leadership skills to people who are blind. 

How can Leaders At All Levels benefit my agency?
Leaders At All Levels promotes opportunities for skills training to employees at all levels within the agency, enhancing interpersonal and communication skills, professional development and team cohesiveness. Agencies develop a common vernacular and skill base within their workforce that will positively impact the workplace.  Agencies who have hosted Leaders At All Levels have reported increased morale and improved productivity.

Who should attend Leaders At All Levels?
As its name implies, Leaders At All Levels is for everyone at the agency.  The classes teach skills that are as beneficial to the most senior manager as they are to the newest employee. When management and staff participate in the training together, communication and efficiencies are fostered.  All in all, agencies recognize the value of having as many employees trained as possible.

Is there a fee to have Leaders At All Levels implemented at my agency?
There is no direct cost to the agency to have the Leaders At All Levels modules delivered -- NIB provides the materials, instructor and instructor travel-related expenses.

What are the five modules?
Each of the modules focuses on one or two of the following fundamental leadership skills: team effectiveness, change management, individual development, problem solving and communications.  Below is a summary of the five, 1 to 1½ hour modules called Work Skills: 

What is the training schedule like?
Each module uses videos, group discussion, small group exercises and games to present a set of skills, taking only 1 to 1½ hours. About 12 to 18 people can participate in a class at one time, and multiple classes of the same module can be scheduled in a day, over a period of several days. After training in one module, a few weeks to practice the new skills is often allowed before a subsequent module is delivered.  While the training schedule is primarily determined by the agency, the general timeframe for all five modules covers a period of three to five months.

Does everyone need to attend all of the modules?
Your agency can determine which modules best suits your needs, but hosting all five modules for all employees is recommended for the greatest impact. 

What have past participants said about Leaders At All Levels?
Leaders At All Levels has received praise from both agency executives and staff. Below is some feedback that NIB has received about the effectiveness of the modules:

Who are the Leaders At All Levels instructors?
NIB currently has six Leaders At All Levels facilitators who have been certified by the international education and training company, AchieveGlobal, which designed and developed the Work Skills modules. Instructor certification included intensive train-the-trainer sessions, teach-backs and NIB orientation.  The NIB instructor pool is a talented group of experienced people who are legally blind and who have been effective in the classroom.

Who to contact for more information:
Please contact Sandy Smith, NIB Training and Development Specialist at (703) 310-0506 or via e-mail ssmith@nib.org. Sandy will be able to answer your questions, help plan training implementation and tailor the modules to meet your agency’s unique needs.


 

 National Industries for the Blind is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.