Early last year we were asked by Yarlington Housing based in Yeovil to develop a new leadership training programme for their managers. The aim to engage emerging leaders and managers in a personal development programme which would not only extend their learning , build commercial awareness and would offer them new opportunities and a chance to develop a strong peer network, all of which would help them to excel as future leaders.
The programme brings individuals together from a variety of departments and supports them to learn and develop leadership skills, partly through delivery of a range of key leadership workshops delivered by our own CEO Julie Hawker. The programme also asks the individuals to plan and undertake a mini-project. The project asks them to select and visit a key leader who they recognise as someone with the ability to inspire their own development and help to inform Yarlington’s 20/20 strategic plan.
The programme also provides a mentor for each individual, and hosts a variety of guest speakers who provide insight on a range of personal and business reflections. These guest speakers have so far included, Andy Skarzynski (Mole Valley Farmers), Brownen Hewitt (Hannahs), Andrew Boomer (Flybe), James Mapstone (2nd Chance Project), Drew Llewellyn (Qballyhoo) and Rick Turner (The Big Sheep), all of whom bring great knowledge and expertise around a wide range of areas.
We are delighted to announce the completion of the first leadership programme this week. The programme has been designed with all of these individuals at its very heart. The programme has provided a wide range of opportunities to these individuals and really focused on what they need to help them grow.
Our CEO Julie Hawker reflects on the programme (so far) – “For organisations with complex processes and structures, working in fast-changing and demanding environments, and with key objectives to deliver business and social outcomes, these are highly challenging times. Therefore being able to invest in talent and develop leadership skills at various levels of the staff team makes very clear business sense.”
“When I was invited to design the programme I reflected on my own development as a leader, and in particular my learning journey and the elements which had the most effect and impact on me. I was committed to delivering the learning using a range of methods and approaches. I have been able to develop the programme with top quality content, presentations from a wide range of highly experienced and innovative leaders in their individual fields, and then to encourage these emerging leaders to experience and reflect on their own leadership by visiting other organisations and observing leadership. This approach has proved to be not only highly effective, but also genuinely a step-change in attitude both for individuals and potentially for the whole organisation.”
What the managers taking part had to say:
The programme gave me the chance to stop and reflect on how I was doing. It gave me a chance to work with peers and build a better understanding of the issues we are all facing to varying degrees”.
“The workshops were stimulating and challenging, the speakers were entertaining, informative and thought provoking”.
“A great learning opportunity, a course that will challenge, stretch you and provide an opportunity to work and learn with your peers”.
“I thought Rick Turner of the Big Sheep was quite a powerful speaker and enthusiastic. I found him inspirational as he conveyed a great balance between providing a fantastic service for his customers and employing the right people to deliver a service to the customer”.
“Overall my self-awareness has increased and I feel more in control now”.
As we say, the first group have completed their programme, but we are now working with three more groups to take them through this exciting journey. Yarlington have realised the importance of investing in future leaders, how will your business help grow this talent?