The Ambition
To transform the leadership culture within an important government agency who were facing a highly sensitive and fundamental shift in focus to their remit.
The department has a good reputation and wants to continue to be an organisation that is highly regarded by other government departments and by customers.
Our Response
The ′Be the Change′ advanced leadership programme.
This was a bold undertaking, set up to support over 100 managers to be highly effective leaders so they in turn can lead their own people to deliver the department’s vision of change. Premised on the belief that organisational change is underpinned by personal change, this programme creates environments for individuals to explore their options for the personal changes required by a changing business context.
Be the Change advanced involves:
- Consultancy on leadership development
- A series of intensive learning events for cohorts of 12 including:
- Half-day launch
- 3 day intensive residential workshop
- 1 day follow-up
- Action Learning
- Corporate leadership projects defined and supported by board champions
- Coaching support to executive board members in their role as project champions
Be the Change is designed around the learning cycle; a programme rather than a one-off intervention that caters for diversity and different learning styles or ‘thinking differently together’. It focuses on the individual and the organisation to deliver business benefits.
Outcomes
Independent evaluation found the programme delivered in four key areas:
Inspiration
The vision for leadership is now understood across senior staff. They share its
values and a common frame of reference for doing business together.
Perspectives have changed, with participants more engaged and committed. All now
think about their options as leaders in a bigger and in a more visionary way.
They see their own capacity for influencing and taking control.
Connection
Participants now enjoy better communications at a senior team level with less
hierarchical divisions. They are aware of different needs and preferences, the
importance of mutual respect and the benefits of enhancing relationships.
Action
Participants are energised. They want to ‘make something happen’. The innovative
programme provided shared experiences, structured reflection and exposure to
possibilities and tools to enable participants to plan for action.
Confidence
Participants have greater self-confidence to build on their own unique leadership
style and feel reassured they do not have to squeeze into a corporate leadership
mould.
Feedback
“The calibre of design and facilitation of this programme is excellent, consistently delivered by a team of highly skilled professionals from Faraday.”
“What was really good were the exercises. They were designed to build up in intensity and the structured feedback, which built in cumulative learning. We all learned from everyone’s task and were able to build on what we had seen.”
“I now know how I want to be as a leader.”
“I have renewed enthusiasm for my job, knowing I can do it my way.”
“He was positively different in himself, he was – yes, - shining more!”
“I’m going to open up and be more human with my team.”
“The feedback was very honest; where else do you get that in real life?”
