Collaboration for Future Success - A senior leadership development programme

Closing date for applications 6 February 2012

Public sector leaders and managers are experiencing levels of change unprecedented in modern times.  Unparalleled funding reductions, radical policy reform and a shift towards localism calls for a major step change in public sector leadership with a growing emphasis on developing resourcefulness, greater understanding of transformational change, being more commercially savvy and demonstrating entrepreneurial flair, all as part of a collaborative endeavour.

This 9-month programme aims to provide a solid basis to develop leaders to meet these challenges.  It utilises a blend of workshops, action learning sets, coaching, and a collaborative improvement project to ensure participants maximise learning opportunities.

The programme is centred around a number of leadership workshops, each of which will encompass a full day session.  Keynote speakers and top-level practitioners will share their experience and knowledge encouraging participants to reflect on, consider and address their own learning and development priorities in this context.  Whilst the programme will include leading edge theory and inputs from notable contributors it will ensure participants are able to reflect critically on the rapidly changing public sector landscape and context and help them make sense of this for their own roles and areas of responsibility.

Overall Outcomes for the Programme:

The development of leaders who:

• Are more open to exploring possibilities
• Are more able to collaborate effectively
• Consider future opportunities
• Are better able to handle complexity
• Can demonstrate belief in their team
• Have greater personal resilience and tenacity
• Have greater ability to create and sustain commitment
• Focus on results and outcomes
• Continually develop themselves

It is expected that participants would attend all 9 workshops covering areas of critical leadership competence.  Some of these modules will be open to other invited managers (up to maximum of 25) to attend in the morning session when a workshop leader would input to the larger group with the programme group continuing into the afternoon with a programme facilitator to "make sense" of, and "unpack" the input in order to be clear about their transferable learning. 

The programme groups will be formed into 2 or 3 action learning sets facilitated by trained North West Employers or Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service OD staff. Coaches will be supplied via the NW Employers' Coaching Network.  A networking "booth" will be established on NW Connex to support the group learning.

Programme Elements

The programme utilises a blend of workshops, action learning sets, coaching, and a collaborative improvement project to ensure participants' maximise learning opportunities.

The programme is centred around a number of leadership workshops, each of which will encompass a full day session.  Keynote speakers and top-level practitioners will share their experience and knowledge, encouraging participants to reflect on, consider and address their own learning and development priorities in this context.  Further information on module content and detailed programmes will be provided to successful applicants.

Two cohorts of the programme will run concurrently commencing in March 2012 and finish December 2012.

Application Process

Who Should Apply?

Applications are invited from senior managers or middle managers who have been identified as strategic leaders of the future, currently working in the public or voluntary sector. 

The programme could be right for you if you:

• Are currently operational and are either starting to or desiring to practice strategically
• Understand the role of leadership within the changing face of the public sector
• Can demonstrate strong evidence of personal growth and commitment to your own personal development and your role as a leader
• Appreciate the external influences across the public sector and the need for increased collaborative working
• Are committed in attending all elements of the programme

Places are limited and applicants will gain access to the programme via the completion of an application form.

For a full brochure and applications form email events@nwemployers.org.uk or ring Stuart Baguley 0161 214 7103.

Programme Commitments

Time commitments over a 9-month period commencing March are indicated below:

• Attendance at 9 one day workshops

• Participation in 3 x half day action learning set meetings

• Participation in 3 x 2 hour coaching sessions

• Contribution to the Collaborative Improvement Project

• If participating in the 360 degree review process - attendance at a 1 hour briefing session and 2 hour feedback session

• In total approximately 15 days attendance

Optional 360 Degree Review Process

Participants are strongly encouraged to participate in a 360 degree review process prior to commencing the programme.  It is considered to be a very useful starting point to your development journey to have a clear and recent view of your current leadership performance.  Clearly you will have your own view regarding this, coupled with that of your line manager however the gathering of views on your practice and approach from a cross section of colleagues, partners, clients and a wider staff group can greatly inform your understanding of areas of strength and areas for development. 

You may be able to access and use your own organisational leadership 360 process prior to joining the programme however if that is not possible North West Employers have developed a Collaborative Leadership online 360 tool which supports the programme and which is available to all participants. 

We strongly believe that anyone who undertakes a 360^o assessment should receive a written report of the results which is supported by a one to one feedback session with someone who has been briefed and understands the instrument. These one to one sessions usually last about one and a half hours and it is intended to help the manager interpret the results, make sense of key messages and identify some areas for action. This one to one, provided by experienced users of the tool will be provided by the programme leaders from North West Employers and would operate on a confidential basis and provides the manager with some space to explore issues in a non-threatening, open discussion.

The 360 degree tool gathers information and provides feedback on 10 elements of leadership practice including:

• Understanding context and developing strategy
• Influencing
• Handling complexity
• Adaptability and resilience
• Managing transitions
• Developing potential in individuals, groups and teams
• Outcome focused and action oriented

Those wishing to know more about or participate in the 360 degree review process will need to attend a short briefing session (maximum 1.5 hours) on Thursday 16 February at 2pm at North West Employers Offices.

Further information will be provided to successful applicants.

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