Case example - individuals
Developing leaders of change
The client context: Make a Difference
The client, Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK), was the sector skills council responsible for developing the workforce across the further education system (which includes sixth-form colleges, further education colleges, adult and community learning providers and work-based learning providers). Recent government reviews have reinforced how critical the further education sector is for the competitiveness of the UK economy. They have also highlighted how the further education sector needs to improve substantially to meet the country’s needs. The government sponsored LLUK to recruit and develop a group of outstanding managers to help transform the further education system.
LLUK chose The Cognitas Group from a pool of 80 contenders to run the Make a Difference leadership programme for the 100 managers. We partnered with the Learning and Skills Network, who brought sector-specific expertise.
How The Cognitas Group helped LLUK
We put together a comprehensive one-year programme to accelerate the development of participants as outstanding leaders of change. We worked with participants to develop their abilities in: leading others; leading teams; leading organisations; and leading change. The aim was to help them become extraordinary leaders with the flexibility and courage to bring change to their organisations.
With the Learning and Skills Network, we provided a programme that mixed four face-to-face residential training sessions with other activities to help participants really apply and learn skills in their daily work. The other activities include coaching, business projects and a web-based community and learning portal.
We drew from far and wide to put together the best possible programme for these leaders of the future. Our programme had a foundation in adult development research, which helped us focus on what it really takes to become a strong and flexible change leader.
Results
Participants gave very positive ratings to the programme, giving it an average of above 5 (out of a possible 6) for value over all cohorts and modules delivered by Cognitas.
Example quotes from participants:
"A management eye-opener."
"Very perceptive and constructive feedback."
"Kind thanks for your sustained contribution to my personal development."
"Cognitas are challenging and sensitive true professionals!"
The targeted outcome was that participants were ready to move from middle management to senior management level within three to five years of joining the programme. Indeed, many of them were promoted during the programme.
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