Work study #6 - Designing and Delivering the Inspire! Aspiring Leader Programme for a County Council
Building Future Leaders at a County Council in the South East of England, UK
Learn how Philip collaborated with a County Council to design and deliver a bespoke Aspiring Leader Programme. This initiative provided emerging leaders in the Highways, Transport, and Planning (HTP) Directorate with the skills and experiences needed to step confidently into future leadership roles…….
Training that helps participants become great leaders.
Max Talent delivery transforms learning with engaging, flexible methods that suit all styles: Activist, Pragmatist, Theorist, and Reflector.
Background
As part of its commitment to developing internal talent, the County Council identified the need to nurture potential leaders within the HTP Directorate. The aim was to provide selected individuals with a structured programme that would not only enhance their leadership capabilities but also align with the unique needs and strategic goals of their respective teams.
In response, the Inspire! Aspiring Leader Programme was developed by Philip, targeting twelve participants from the HTP Directorate. This bespoke six-month initiative, running from January to July 2024, combined practical leadership training, guided self-reflection, and personalised coaching (founded on Gallup Strengths Finder insights) to prepare participants for future leadership roles.
Learning challenge
The primary challenge was to design a programme that balanced the diverse development needs of the participants with the business requirements of the HTP Directorate. The goal was to create a curriculum that was both structured and flexible enough to cater to different learning styles and development objectives and provided opportunities for individual coaching and personal self-reflection.
Approach
Philip planned, designed, and delivered the Inspire! Aspiring Leader Programme working closely with key stakeholders.
Each module was delivered through a combination of in-person workshops, interactive discussions, and open learning workbooks, which provided key insights and reflective exercises for participants. In addition, each delegate received five one-on-one coaching sessions throughout the programme, ensuring a personalised development journey aligned with their specific goals.
Programme Delivery: Philip facilitated every module, creating an engaging and inclusive learning environment. He also ensured that the training materials were highly relevant to the participants' roles, incorporating real-world scenarios from the HTP Directorate to bridge theory and practice.
In his coaching role, Philip supported each participant in identifying their strengths, addressing areas for improvement, and setting actionable goals for their leadership journey. His focus was on empowering the delegates to take ownership of their growth, fostering a mindset of continuous learning and self-reflection.
Results
The Inspire! Aspiring Leader Programme was delivered successfully over a six-month period, with each module and coaching session scheduled every other month. T he feedback from the first cohort highlighted its effectiveness in fostering leadership skills and self-awareness among participants.
Key outcomes included:
Improved Self-Awareness: Participants gained a deeper understanding of their leadership styles, strengths, and areas for growth, allowing them to lead more authentically and effectively.
Enhanced Team Leadership: The programme equipped participants with tools to better manage team dynamics, communicate with impact, and create a positive team culture.
Personalised Development: The coaching sessions enabled participants to receive targeted support, ensuring that their individual goals were met while remaining aligned with the HTP Directorate's priorities.
Key Take-aways
Custom-Built Programmes Drive Impact: A tailored approach to leadership development can address the unique needs of both the organisation and its future leaders.
Blending Training and Coaching for Growth: Integrating structured modules with one-on-one coaching provides a powerful combination that promotes both skills development and self-reflection for personal growth.
Continuous Feedback Enhances Programme Quality: The positive feedback from the initial cohort offers valuable insights for refining the programme, ensuring even greater impact for future participants.
Building a Leadership Pipeline: By investing in the growth of aspiring leaders, the County Council has laid the groundwork for a strong and capable leadership pipeline within the HTP Directorate.
To discover how Philip from Max Talent can design and deliver impactful leadership development programmes for you book in for a virtual coffee through this website or you can email philip@maxtalent.co.uk.
