Business leaders in Bermuda are invited to participate in a director development course that provides opportunities to explore strategic leadership issues both within and beyond their businesses. Run by the Bermuda branch of the Institute of Directors, “leadership for directors” will be held on March 9 and 10 from 9am until 5pm each day at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club.The course is a module in the IoD certificate in company direction designation programme.An IoD spokesperson said: “Effective leadership is fundamental to the successful realisation of an organisation’s vision. This module provides an opportunity for delegates to explore strategic leadership issues both within and beyond their businesses. “Delegates will evaluate a range of decision-making techniques and their applicability to individual organisations.“There are key competencies associated with leading at board level. This module explores director competencies and provides opportunities for delegates to develop and practice their skills.“The module introduces a more personalised approach to leadership, encouraging each delegate to develop self-awareness and emotional intelligence. “It also encourages the development of an awareness of the motivations and behaviours of others and explores how doing so can contribute to inspirational leadership that helps to build and sustain high-performing teams.“Increasingly, corporate directors and business leaders are seen as the creators of corporate and perhaps community culture. Therefore, the module also addresses how leaders create influence and impact within and beyond the organisations they serve through effective stakeholder relations and understanding the organisation in its wider context.”The course will be led by Murray Eldridge, a chartered director and member of the IoD for more than 15 years. Mr Eldridge has 40 years of international experience in shipping, offshore oil and gas, telecoms, water and international consulting, the IoD said.A board-level operator for 20 years, he has held marketing, sales, strategy and commercial roles as executive director, as well as managing director and non-executive roles with companies such as Smit International, British Telecom, Cable & Wireless and Global Crossing. Mr Eldridge also has extensive experience in setting up and managing international joint ventures and alliances in the United Kingdom, China, Japan and Indonesia. He is also a qualified British Rowing sports coach and author of Leading High Performance (Crimson Publishing 2014).The cost of the course is $1,850 for IoD Members, and $2,350 for non-members.Online registration is available on the Bermuda Insurance Institute website at www.bii.bm. Click on services, and then on seminars/classes