Corporate leadership training
Innovation and Leadership Training Course in Germany
Help your leaders challenge the status quo, uncover disruptive opportunities and build teams where creativity and experimentation are part of the job, so new ideas become sustainable growth, sharper strategy and better ways of working, through hands-on, practical training.
- In-person, virtual
or blended - Customised for
your organisation - Delivered worldwide,
including Germany - For executives, managers
and innovation leaders
Course overview
What Is Innovation Leadership?
Innovation leadership is the capacity to keep questioning how things are done and to build teams that do the same. This course equips leaders with the strategies and methods behind it, including design thinking and lean approaches: uncovering opportunities, developing creative options, trying them out on a small scale and shaping a culture of creativity in which promising ideas are carried through to implementation.
Through hands-on activities, simulations and real-world case studies, with feedback at each step, participants apply problem-solving frameworks to a challenge of their own, reflecting the situations faced by leaders in Germany.
Drawing on the cultural nuances, regulatory framework and socio-economic factors that shape business in Germany, the course helps aspiring entrepreneurs, mid-level managers and seasoned executives challenge the status quo, foster creativity in their teams and drive sustainable growth in a global marketplace.
Why it matters
Why Innovation Leadership Matters in Germany
Organisations in Germany compete in a global marketplace where business and technology keep evolving. Leaders who challenge the status quo, foster creativity and turn ideas into strategy help them grow sustainably.
Problems without old answers
Fast-changing markets and technology raise problems that established methods were never designed to solve.
Ideas need a safe home
Staff rarely question the status quo unless leaders invite experimentation and accept some misses.
Ideas alone are not enough
An idea creates value only once it is evaluated, refined and carried through to implementation.
Building for the future
Organisations that innovate steadily help Germany sustain growth in a global marketplace.
The Knowles leadership approach
From Insight to Impact
Participants trace an innovation from first signal to everyday use, learning a six-step cycle grounded in design thinking and lean principles that their teams can repeat for every new challenge.
Innovation leadership in action
- 1. OpportunityWhere could we do better?
- 2. InsightWhat do users need?
- 3. IdeasWhat could we try?
- 4. PrototypeHow can we test it cheaply?
- 5. LearnWhat did the test show?
- 6. ScaleHow do we roll it out?
Key benefits
Why Organisations Choose This Course
This programme helps your leaders and your organisation to:
More Ideas, Better Ideas
Generate stronger ideas by inviting contributions from every part of the organisation.
Faster from Idea to Result
Lean, rapid tests reveal early where to invest and when to change course.
Smarter Risk-Taking
Take bold steps through small experiments with clear limits.
Focus on Real Problems
Use root-cause analysis to aim creativity at the issues that matter.
Teams That Speak Up
Give people the confidence to question how things are done.
A Culture of Improvement
Embed experimentation and learning in the way teams work every day.
Have questions about this course?
Our team is happy to help. Send us a message and we will get back to you within one business day.
Course curriculum
A practical and structured learning journey.
Twelve units in three stages build from an innovator’s mindset, through structured methods for testing ideas, to the leadership needed to sustain a culture of creativity, with hands-on activities, simulations and case studies throughout.
- Unit 1
Innovation Mindset
- Distinguish incremental improvement from disruptive innovation and its impact on industries.
- Question the status quo and treat change as a source of opportunity.
- Notice the habits and structures that suppress new thinking.
- Unit 2
Spotting Opportunities
- Scan your organisation’s ecosystem for disruptive openings.
- Connect market trends and customer needs to a clear challenge.
- Study how successful disruptors built their strategies.
- Unit 3
Testing Assumptions
- Expose the beliefs that keep current practices in place.
- Use root-cause analysis to look beneath the obvious symptom.
- Spot the thinking traps that make change look risky.
- Unit 4
Diverse Perspectives
- Bring experts, peers and other departments into the conversation.
- Hold group discussions where competing insights are tested openly.
- Factor in customer behaviour and partner views when shaping ideas.
- Unit 5
Generating Ideas
- Set up a clear process for producing new ideas.
- Use creative problem-solving to escape established patterns.
- Hold back criticism while ideas are still taking shape.
- Unit 6
Design Thinking
- Combine design thinking with lean methods to solve problems for users.
- Use active listening and empathy to learn users’ needs.
- Summarise what you learn as a precise challenge.
- Unit 7
Selecting Ideas
- Evaluate concepts with analytical tools and clear criteria.
- Align each idea with your vision, values and strategic goals.
- Choose a shortlist to develop and set the rest aside.
- Unit 8
Testing Ideas Fast
- Apply lean principles to test ideas with minimum effort.
- Define the evidence a pilot must produce before it starts.
- Let pilot results decide whether an idea is improved, scaled or dropped.
- Unit 9
Vision and Inspiration
- Clarify a vision that links creative work to long-term goals.
- Deliver compelling messages about why innovation matters.
- Help people stay resilient through uncertainty and change.
- Unit 10
Room to Experiment
- Encourage experimentation by making it safe to speak up.
- Respond to a failed test with curiosity, asking what it taught the team.
- Fix time and resource limits so risks stay manageable.
- Unit 11
Collaborative Teams
- Assemble teams whose skills and experience complement each other.
- Hand teams real responsibility for the ideas they develop.
- Give visible credit for contributions that advance a project.
- Unit 12
From Pilot to Practice
- Build a strategic plan to take a proven idea into routine use.
- Persuade executives and affected teams to back it.
- Leave with an actionable plan for continuous improvement.
Course agenda
Two-day course agenda.
A sample agenda showing how the two days run, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The final agenda is agreed with you.
Welcome, objectives and introductions
The innovation mindset
Morning break
Spotting opportunities
Lunch
Challenging assumptions
Diverse perspectives
Afternoon break
Generating ideas
Day one reflection
Close
Recap and goals for the day
Design thinking
Morning break
Selecting and testing ideas
Lunch
Vision and inspiration
Room to experiment and collaborative teams
Afternoon break
From pilot to practice
Innovation action plan and next steps
Close
Participant resources
What participants receive.
A practical set of resources to support learning during the course and application afterwards.
Course Workbook
Content, summaries and activities for every unit.
Templates and Worksheets
Ready-to-use tools to apply learning at work.
Action Plan Template
Turn learning into clear next steps.
Job Aids and Quick Guides
Key models, checklists and frameworks for daily use.
Digital Resources
Additional materials to revisit after the course.
Certificate of Completion
Recognition of the training completed.
Practical application
From theory to real workplace impact.
Participants take a live problem from their organisation through the full cycle, from analysing root causes and customer needs to presenting a tested concept, in hands-on activities and simulations reflecting what leaders in Germany encounter.
Opportunity Hunt
Pinpoint challenges and disruptive openings in your own area of responsibility.
Ideation Sprints
Develop many concepts in short rounds, then combine and strengthen the best.
Prototype Challenge
Create a simple model of a concept and gather reactions from the group.
Pitch Practice
Deliver a compelling case for your concept to a mock executive board.
Who should attend
Designed for leaders who want new ideas to succeed.
Built for forward-thinking professionals, from aspiring entrepreneurs launching a venture and mid-level managers inspiring their teams to seasoned executives in a global marketplace, as well as public sector, NGO and education leaders.
- ExecutivesNavigate a global marketplace with a culture of innovation.
- Team LeadersInspire their teams to propose and test improvements.
- Government OfficialsApply new thinking to the services citizens rely on.
- NGO LeadersTry new answers to persistent social challenges.
- EntrepreneursLaunch ventures built on genuine customer needs.
- EducatorsBring innovation into teaching and school leadership.
Course format and delivery
Flexible options to suit your organisation.
Choose the format and duration that fit your schedule and learning needs, whether at your workplace in Germany, online or a mix of both.
In-Person Training
Delivered at your organisation in Germany or at a suitable venue.
Virtual Training
Interactive, engaging live online delivery.
Blended Learning
A combination of in-person and virtual sessions.
Customised Training
Tailor case studies, organisation focus, delivery mode, modules and duration. Explore Customized Training
- Typical Duration2 Full Days9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also available as a 1-day, half-day, 90-minute or 60-minute session.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites and experience level.
No prior experience is required. The course suits anyone who wants to lead new ideas, whatever their sector or role, and works well for mixed groups.
No formal prerequisites
Open to anyone who wants to bring new ideas into their work.
All experience levels
From first-time managers to senior executives.
Designed for mixed groups
Different sectors and roles bring the varied views that spark ideas.
Bring a real challenge
Come with a problem at work you would like to solve.
Course framework
A structured approach to developing leaders.
Our framework cycles from understanding the principles of innovation, to applying them to a live challenge, to reflecting on feedback, and finally to leading the change in your own organisation.
Practical and Actionable
Strategies and tools ready for your next team meeting.
Relevant to Germany
Reflects the cultural, regulatory and market factors organisations in Germany work with.
Learning by Making
Every concept is modelled and tested hands-on, then improved through feedback.
The innovation learning cycle
- 1. LearnCore leadership principles
- 2. ExploreCase studies and discussion
- 3. PractiseRole-plays and simulations
- 4. ReflectSelf-assessment and journaling
- 5. ApplyReal-world projects
- 6. GrowMentoring and peer support
Key learning outcomes
From knowledge to lasting leadership impact.
By the end of this programme, participants will be able to:
- 01
Spot opportunities
Identify disruptive opportunities and unmet customer needs in your organisation.
- 02
Generate ideas
Apply structured problem-solving frameworks to develop a range of creative solutions.
- 03
Choose wisely
Assess concepts with analytical tools before allocating budget or people.
- 04
Test and learn
Run lean experiments and use the results to adapt.
- 05
Make it safe to try
Foster a culture where teams experiment and recover from setbacks.
- 06
Make ideas happen
Secure support and turn a validated concept into standard practice.
Innovation thrives where leaders question the obvious and give every small experiment a fair chance to teach something.
Example exercises and tools
Learn by doing.
Hands-on activities, problem-solving frameworks and real-world scenarios let participants uncover opportunities, shape concepts and test them before committing serious budget or resources.
Hands-on activities and simulations draw on situations leaders in Germany may face, from spotting a disruptive opportunity in their own market to applying design thinking or lean methods to a stubborn process problem. Participants take a challenge from their own organisation from first idea to tested proposal, receive feedback on their approach and leave with an actionable plan to put it into practice.
User Interviews
Use active listening to interview a colleague acting as a customer and find the real need.
Assumption Busting
Trace the beliefs behind a process and challenge those that no longer hold.
Rapid Prototyping
Build a basic version of a concept quickly and test it with the group.
Idea Pitch
Deliver a brief, compelling pitch and handle probing questions.
Assessment
Assessment and learning progress.
A mix of steps before, during and after the programme keeps learning relevant and turns it into action.
Before the training
Share your goals and team context.
Agree the objectives and focus areas.
Confirm the format, timing and group.
During the training
Role-plays, simulations and practical exercises.
Feedback from experienced leaders as skills develop.
Group discussion and reflection.
After the training
A personal action plan for the workplace.
Self-assessment and guided journaling to track progress.
Ongoing learning through peers, mentors and the alumni network.
Workplace application
Relevant to your context.
Participants put the concepts and tools to work on real business challenges, from lean process improvements to new offerings shaped around customer needs, in organisations across Germany.
- Process ImprovementApply lean thinking to remove waste.
- New ServicesShape offerings around customer behaviour.
- Pilot ProjectsRun limited trials before a full rollout.
- Team BrainstormsFacilitate idea sessions with clear outputs.
- Growth OpportunitiesSpot disruptive openings in your market.
- Social ImpactAddress social challenges with fresh thinking.
Let’s discuss your requirements
Request a Customised Leadership Programme.
Talk to our team about how this course can be tailored for your organisation in Germany or other locations worldwide.
- Share your priorities
- Receive a tailored proposal
- Explore delivery options
Adapting for Germany
Adapting the programme for German organisations.
We tailor the course so it reflects your people, your sector and the context you work in.
Local case studies
Examples and case studies drawn from leaders in Germany.
Cultural awareness
Content that respects cultural nuances and builds inclusive environments.
Community focus
Projects that address real local and community issues.
Industry and organisation focus
Examples, terminology and scenarios from your sector.
Delivery worldwide
Flexible delivery across Germany and worldwide.
We deliver this programme in Germany and in other locations worldwide, with flexible formats and options to suit your organisation.
- In-person
- Virtual
- Blended
At Your Workplace
In-house sessions at your office in Germany.
A Venue You Choose
Delivered at a training venue that suits your team.
Live Online
Interactive virtual sessions wherever your people are.
Across Countries
Programmes coordinated across several locations worldwide.
Client experiences
What our participants say.
Word-for-word feedback from participants at organisations in Singapore. Read all reviews
Learning how to translate high-level company strategy into clear, measurable operational targets for our teams.
Yes definitely, since it teaches a fresh, highly constructive approach to problem-solving and team collaboration.
Yes, because it really highlights how our daily business decisions directly impact the local community and the environment.
The course allowed me to identify the area where errors could occur and the various steps to identify and reduce the errors. Case studies were also provided to give a real-life experience instead of theoretical lessons.
Yes, definitely. because it offers highly practical insights that help you navigate your role and better manage relationships within your team.
Yes, I definitely would. The program teaches you exactly how to approach closing deals and handle tough discussions with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this course.
What is the main focus of this course?
It equips leaders to drive innovation: recognising disruptive opportunities, developing and testing ideas with frameworks such as design thinking and lean methods, and fostering a culture of creativity, applied to real challenges in Germany.
What topics does the course cover?
Twelve units in three stages: thinking like an innovator (innovation mindset, spotting opportunities, testing assumptions, diverse perspectives), from idea to experiment (generating ideas, design thinking, selecting ideas, testing ideas fast) and leading innovation (vision and inspiration, room to experiment, collaborative teams, from pilot to practice).
Who should attend this course?
Aspiring entrepreneurs, mid-level managers, seasoned executives, team leaders, educators and recent graduates who want to lead innovation and drive change.
Is the course suitable for new or first-time leaders?
Yes. New managers learn simple ways to invite and test ideas from day one, while seasoned executives gain strategies for leading change across a business.
Is the course practical or theory-based?
Strongly hands-on. Participants apply design thinking, lean methods and problem-solving frameworks to a real challenge, supported by simulations, case studies of successful innovation and feedback.
How long is the course?
The standard course runs over 2 full days, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It can also be delivered as a 1-day, half-day, 90-minute or 60-minute session.
Can the course be customised for our organisation?
Yes. We can adapt the content, examples and format to your goals, industry and team. See Customized Corporate Training for how we tailor programmes.
Can we use examples from our own industry?
Yes. We design and deliver our courses with subject matter experts in each field. Tell us about your industry, context and terminology when you enquire, and it will be taken into account.
Can we combine this course with other topics?
Yes. We can combine related topics into one programme or build a learning pathway across several sessions and levels.
Is this course available outside Germany?
Yes. We deliver this programme in other countries worldwide, in person or live online, and can coordinate it across several locations.
What delivery options are available?
In person at your workplace or a venue you choose, live online, or a blend of both.
What kind of exercises and activities are included?
Customer interviews, assumption challenges, idea-generation rounds, quick models, compelling pitches, simulations and real-world case studies, ending with an actionable plan.
Do participants receive mentoring during the course?
Yes. Participants receive mentorship and constructive feedback from experienced leaders throughout the course.
Will participants build a professional network?
Yes. Participants connect with fellow participants, build mentoring relationships with facilitators and guest speakers, and can join an alumni network for ongoing learning.
How does the course support personal growth?
Through regular self-assessment and reflection, guided journaling to track progress and set goals, and techniques for mindfulness and stress management.
Is the course relevant to the German context?
Yes. It is designed for leaders in Germany, with case studies and exercises that consider the cultural, regulatory and socio-economic factors shaping business and customers in the German market.
Which cities in Germany can the course be delivered in?
We can deliver it in cities across Germany, including Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Düsseldorf, and other cities on request. We also offer a full range of leadership courses in Germany.
Can we download a course brochure?
Yes. Download our course brochure for an overview of our training programmes.
How do we request a proposal?
Share your goals and requirements through the enquiry form on this page. Our team replies within one business day with suggestions and a tailored proposal.
Who can we contact about this course?
Email [email protected], call +65 6714 6663 or use the enquiry form on this page. We reply within one business day.
Next steps
From enquiry to delivery.
A simple, transparent process from your first message to the training day.
- 1
Enquiry
Share your training needs and priorities.
- 2
Consultation
We discuss and refine the scope with you.
- 3
Proposal
Receive a tailored proposal with delivery options.
- 4
Confirm
Review, adjust and agree the details.
- 5
Delivery
We deliver the programme for your team.
Get in touch
Get in touch about this course.
Tell us about your team and goals, and we will recommend the right format for your organisation in Germany. Fill in the form or contact our team directly.
- Email us[email protected]
- Call us+65 6714 6663
- Quick replyWe get back to you within one business day.
- Ask before you commitTalk to our team about the right course and format for your needs.
This course is customisable
We can tailor the content, examples and activities to your team’s industry, goals and workplace context. Explore Customized Training
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