Leadership Development
Leadership Programme
We designed an empowerment module as part of a leadership programme for a public sector organisation to support and develop black and minority ethnic middle and senior managers to take on top leadership positions. Our work here involved identifying and building on participants’ existing strengths, and encouraging them to be proud of their unique contribution and perspective, as well as helping them to develop new skills, more positive attitudes and increased business understanding as appropriate. We commissioned an independent evaluation study, which showed that participants reported significant successes in achieving promotion to senior management positions, and in building relevant capabilities for such roles.
Following the redesign of the programme, BCL were retained to provide support on all elements of the programme including the assessment and selection process, the design and delivery of the development modules and the provision of coaching for participants. Our approach to delivering the development programmes is particularly effective because it focuses on both the ‘hard’ tangible aspects of leadership and organisational functioning together with the ‘soft’ emotional responses generated by working with and managing people. We also bring a real passion for the value that understanding and drawing on individual identity brings, encouraging participant stories of success and cultural uniqueness.
Of our twenty seven participants who completed the Programme in 2007, seven achieved promotions while participating on the Programme, including one from a temporary position to a more senior permanent post. This represents a promotion rate of 26% over a period of ten months. Of these, one attained a position at director level. Furthermore, five participants made lateral career moves and nineteen applied for new positions. Those who haven’t yet applied all agreed that they would within the next three months. In addition, all but three of the participants reported undertaking additional responsibilities.
Executive Development Programme
We have designed and are delivering an executive development programme for high potential senior managers from across a large financial services organisation. The overall aim is to enhance their strategic thinking and execution capability and to refine their leadership style. This will help to ensure the business has a cadre of leaders capable of driving future growth.
We are working in close partnership with Board members and the head of Learning & Development on the design and delivery of this strategically important programme. Following an intensive assessment process, which tested the degree of potential and aspiration shown by the candidates, the first cohort were selected and benchmarked against similar managers in other organisations. The assessment process highlighted key development areas as being leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence widely across the business. These needs were then tested and refined through consultation with key stakeholders, prior to the detailed design of the programme. The programme aims to be stretching and challenging and to take participants’ performance to new levels so the design reflects this aim.
Outcomes include:
- All six strategic projects undertaken by programmes 1 and 2 have signed-off by the ExCom and are being executed
- Savings of £292,500 have been made on consultancy spend on strategic projects
- 70% of graduates from the first 2 programmes are now in roles of greater responsibility
- 75% of EDP participants have been inspired to access coaching and training in coaching skills to further enhance their leadership capabilities
