Women in Leadership: Master Class

CONCEPT NOTE

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP: MASTER CLASS

COURSE BACKGROUND

The Environmental Capacities and Sustainability (ECAS) Institute is committed to fostering inclusive leadership and empowering professionals to drive sustainable development. Recognizing the crucial role of women in leadership, ECAS has designed this master class to equip women with the essential skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead effectively in diverse industries.

Despite growing awareness and progress toward gender equity, women continue to face structural barriers, biases, and limited access to leadership opportunities. This course aims to bridge that gap by providing women leaders with strategic insights, mentorship, and practical tools to navigate leadership challenges successfully. It covers essential aspects such as strategic decision-making, negotiation, emotional intelligence, and executive presence while addressing the unique hurdles women encounter in leadership roles.

Through interactive training methodologies, real-world case studies, and networking opportunities, participants will develop the competencies needed to lead transformational change within organizations and communities. This program is aligned with ECAS’s broader mission to promote sustainability, diversity, and equity in leadership, ensuring that women can contribute meaningfully to economic, social, and environmental development.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

This course is designed to empower women with the leadership skills and confidence needed to excel in decision-making roles. It focuses on equipping participants with strategic tools, enhancing their influence, and overcoming challenges in leadership. By the end of the course, participants will:

1. Develop a strong leadership identity and executive presence.
2. Strengthen strategic thinking and decision-making capabilities.
3. Enhance communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
4. Build resilience and confidence to navigate workplace challenges.
5. Foster inclusive leadership by promoting gender equity and diversity.
6. Expand networking opportunities and professional collaborations.
7. Improve emotional intelligence and adaptability in leadership roles.
8. Learn effective work-life integration strategies for sustainable leadership.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Participants will gain a deep understanding of leadership principles, gender dynamics, and strategies to excel in senior leadership positions. Key learning areas include:

• Understanding leadership styles, self-awareness, and building a strong leadership presence.
• Mastering high-level thinking, risk management, and long-term planning.
• Strengthening public speaking, persuasion, and negotiation techniques.
• Addressing biases, advocating for oneself, and navigating workplace politics.
• Leveraging professional connections and positioning oneself for career growth.
• Managing stress, adapting to challenges, and leading with empathy.
• Promoting an equitable and inclusive work environment.
• Balancing leadership responsibilities with personal and societal impact.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is designed for women professionals, executives, managers, and emerging leaders across various industries who aspire to advance into leadership roles. It is ideal for women in corporate organizations, government institutions, non-profits, and entrepreneurial ventures who want to enhance their leadership impact. The program also benefits HR professionals, policymakers, and advocates working to promote gender diversity and inclusion in leadership. Additionally, women in mid-career or senior positions looking to refine their executive presence, negotiation skills, and strategic decision-making will find this course invaluable.

TRAINING STYLE

This master class adopts a highly interactive and experiential learning approach to ensure participants gain practical leadership insights. The training includes expert-led lectures, case studies of successful women leaders, group discussions, and role-playing exercises to enhance real-world application. Participants will engage in leadership simulations, mentorship sessions, and peer networking to foster collaboration and shared learning. The course also incorporates reflective exercises and personal development plans to help women craft their unique leadership path. By blending theory with practice, the training ensures participants leave with actionable strategies for immediate implementation in their careers.

TRAINING MODULES

This course is designed to equip women with the essential leadership skills, strategic thinking, and confidence needed to excel in leadership roles. Each module provides an in-depth exploration of critical leadership topics, supported by real-world case studies, interactive discussions, and practical exercises.

No	Module	Details
1.	Understanding Leadership Identity and Personal Strengths	This module helps participants define their leadership identity and leverage their strengths for success. Exploring Leadership Styles: Understanding different leadership styles and identifying your own. Building Self-Awareness: Assessing personal strengths, weaknesses, and values in leadership. Developing Confidence and Executive Presence: Strategies to project authority and credibility. Managing Limiting Beliefs and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Recognizing and addressing self-doubt. Creating a Personalized Leadership Development Plan: Setting goals for leadership growth.
2.	Strategic Thinking, Decision-Making, and Problem-Solving	Effective leadership requires a strategic mindset, adaptability, and sound decision-making skills. Understanding Strategic Thinking: How to develop and implement a leadership vision. Decision-Making in Complex Situations: Techniques for making informed, high-impact decisions. Crisis Management and Risk Assessment: Leading effectively during challenges and uncertainty. Problem-Solving Strategies: Frameworks for addressing business and leadership challenges. Building a Resilient Leadership Approach: Managing pressure and leading through change.
3.	Mastering Communication, Negotiation, and Influence	Strong communication and negotiation skills are key to leadership success. Executive Communication Skills: Techniques for persuasive and impactful speaking. The Art of Negotiation: Strategies for securing promotions, salaries, and leadership positions. Conflict Resolution and Difficult Conversations: Managing workplace disputes with confidence. Building Influence and Credibility: Establishing authority and leading effectively. Emotional Intelligence in Communication: Using empathy to connect and lead with impact.
4.	Overcoming Gender Barriers and Leading with Confidence	Women leaders often face unique challenges in leadership roles. This module addresses key strategies for breaking barriers. Understanding Gender Bias in Leadership: Identifying and addressing workplace biases. Overcoming Workplace Barriers: Strategies for career advancement in male-dominated industries. Advocating for Yourself and Other Women: Building networks of support and mentorship. Navigating Power Structures and Workplace Politics: How to position yourself strategically. Developing a Resilient Leadership Mindset: Staying motivated and overcoming professional setbacks.
5.	Networking, Personal Branding, and Career Advancement	A strong professional network and brand can significantly impact career success. The Power of Networking: Building strong professional connections for career growth. Creating a Strong Personal Brand: Positioning yourself as a thought leader and expert. Leveraging Social Media for Leadership Visibility: Enhancing your online presence. Mentorship and Sponsorship: The role of mentors in career progression. Strategic Career Planning: Setting long-term goals and securing leadership roles.
6.	Work-Life Balance, Resilience, and Emotional Intelligence	Leadership success requires resilience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to balance personal and professional responsibilities. Developing Emotional Intelligence for Leadership Success: Understanding and managing emotions effectively. Building Resilience in Leadership: Coping strategies for stress, setbacks, and challenges. Effective Time Management for Leaders: Prioritizing tasks and improving efficiency. Work-Life Balance Strategies: Achieving harmony between personal and professional responsibilities. Leading with Empathy and Authenticity: The role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership.
7.	Inclusive Leadership and Diversity Advocacy	Leadership success is closely tied to creating inclusive workplaces and championing diversity. The Importance of Diversity in Leadership: How diverse leadership teams drive success. Unconscious Bias and Inclusive Leadership: Recognizing and addressing biases in decision-making. Creating Inclusive Workplace Cultures: Strategies for fostering diversity and inclusion. Leading Diverse Teams Effectively: Encouraging collaboration and equitable leadership. Advocating for Women in Leadership: Driving change through mentorship and empowerment.
8.	Sustainable Leadership and Legacy Building	Long-term leadership success requires vision and a commitment to making a lasting impact. Defining Your Leadership Legacy: How to create long-term influence in your industry. Sustainable Leadership Practices: Ethical and responsible leadership approaches. Coaching and Mentoring Future Leaders: Empowering the next generation of women leaders. Ethical Leadership and Social Responsibility: Leading with integrity and making a positive impact. Developing a Future-Focused Leadership Plan: Mapping out long-term career and leadership goals.

GENERAL NOTES

• Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
• Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
• We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
• Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.