Real-time Leadership Simulations
Impact are experts at creating Real-time Leadership Simulations - complex, multi-media scenarios with striking accuracy and realism. These simulations operate live - they are not computer-based. Participants must collaborate effectively to reconcile competing stakeholder demands, deal with ambiguity, manage ethical dilemmas and solve real business problems under intense deadline pressure and executive presence.
A simulation replicates a “day in the life” of the client organization and presents participants, acting individually or in teams, with a series of interlinked leadership challenges. Such challenges, although fictional, are typically ones which are likely to arise for the organisation in the near future, and which are unlikely to be manageable by applying old world thinking or patterns of behaviour. These complex challenges become a vehicle for producing leadership action.
A real-time simulation typically lasts for around 24 hours. Each of the challenges is researched to be entirely realistic and organisation-specific. Generally they culminate in major event such as a crucial presentation, meeting or decision. Actors, journalists, film crews and client board members contribute to the realism and excitement of a process in which participants become totally immersed and engaged.
Why we work like this
The primary purpose of these simulations is to produce leadership action and behaviour which can be captured and analysed in review, feedback and coaching sessions that run in parallel to the action and then follow its completion. Additionally, there is often much collateral learning for participants about the business, its pressing challenges, and its place in the economic, social and political landscape. Certainly the fact that "real" issues are being tackled makes the medium powerful and appealing to those who are less comfortable working with metaphor and analogies - additionally the leadership action, behaviour and skills discussed are directly relevant to the future challenges the business might or will face.
Simulations can greatly broaden participants’ world-view and test their leadership skills to the full in dealing with diverse stakeholders and challenges. The client company’s executives can also play roles in support of the scenarios – providing senior leadership exposure and coaching to the key talents.
