Leadership development with no limits!
The client approached us to help them identify, recruit and grow internal talent from middle manager positions into tomorrow’s potential senior leaders of the organisation through a bespoke Leadership Development Programme (LDP). Additionally, it was hoped these individuals would not only flourish in the organisation, but would also have a major impact on growing and developing their local community and it’s future goals - helping to remove constraints on personal, organisational and cultural development internally and in the local community.
Working alongside the Chief Secretary and representatives from HR & organisational development, the OPC identified, assessed and recruited a small cohort of middle managers that were to be the organisation’s first to experience the new Leadership Development Programme. Working with this small group of individuals the OPC devised and delivered the programme from scratch. The organisation’s aim was to then review the success of the LDP and roll this out on an ongoing basis in the future.
What it takes to be a good leader
Alongside our Chartered Psychologist the group explored what it takes to be a good leader. Nothing was off-limits! They covered topics such as: internal communications; team roles and working; goal setting; change management; listening skills; motivational and coaching skills; learning processes and styles; memory; stress management; mindfulness and thinking; decision-making styles.
The programme involved:
- a weekly workshop
- on the job learning and evidential logging of their personal development and future goals
- 1:1 time with a qualified Psychologist
- group tasks
- support from mentors from different areas of their organisation
- working on a business-critical project to help improve the organisation’s internal communications that required significant employee qualitative data compilation and analysis
Challenges of a remote geographical location
The project was made slightly more challenging by the remote geographical location of the client, but this didn’t stop the OPC. Utilising modern communications technologies and innovative meeting methods, the OPC Chartered Psychologist, worked on the project almost totally remotely for 2 years. Except for a face-to-face stage midway through, the remote working methods gave the client huge cost, time and productivity benefits.
“I loved working with the same group of people for such an extended timeframe. We got to change people’s career development progress, improve organisational opportunities and see a real operational day-to-day difference.”
OPC psychologist
“The Leadership training and workshops were really well received by all the Future Leaders. They all graduated successfully, leaving the programme equipped with new tools and confidence to be really effective leaders and the majority of the cohort have progressed to new, more senior roles in the organization. The Future Leaders spoke highly of the OPC’s specialist training and remarked that having an external consultant added credibility to the programme and a real sense that their organisation had invested in them as young professionals.”
Organisational Development Manager leading the programme
Benefits and outcomes
This piece of work delivered numerous benefits and outcomes for the client:
- The development and delivery of a Leadership Development Programme (LDP) they can replicate
- Upskilling of local talent
- Development of new skills and learning opportunities within the organisation
- Career progressions and development for all the candidates into more senior roles
- Growth in the individual’s performance and independence
- Internal employee development, plus an aspirational desire from other employees to be recruited for the LDP
- External recognition as a good employer within the local community
- The potential to influence local domestic growth and affluence
Due to the success of the project, a second phase of the LDP is soon to commence with a new cohort of leaders.
If you are an Organisational Learning and Development Manager, a small business CEO or a Corporate Responsibility Manager and would like to hear more about the work the OPC does, then contact us to find out more.