I still remember my first few months in a leadership role, although a while ago now. The excitement of being successful in gaining a promotion, even with the inevitable leadership element, and then the reality of having got the job! I was equal parts confident (I knew my stuff, the team and even had qualifications!) and terrified (What leadership skills did I have?!). I muddled through but didn’t feel prepared. I had a great team and we got things done but I always felt there was a skill set I was missing. I enrolled on a part-time Master’s leadership programme. I watched other leaders and learned from my mistakes and theirs. It was not easy, juggling a demanding job, studies and childcare – but, don’t get me wrong, it was exhilarating. I could just have done with some support to ease the transition into leadership, and to get me thinking and acting like a leader sooner, to avoid some of the struggle. I didn’t realise it then, but I needed a coach.
Later in my career, once I was a senior leader, I had a coach. She helped me to recognise my thinking patterns and the impact they had on every part of my work and life. I became far more self-aware as a person and a leader, and more effective in my work life. So, at knowledge-weave, when we started to develop our latest programme Empower for new, aspiring and returning leaders, I wanted to do just that, empower people through coaching during those important early months of transition to leadership. We’ve included training too such as webinars, videos, live Q&A sessions and a community space, giving new leaders the tools to, for example, think strategically, build vision, work collaboratively, think creatively, plus networking opportunities – but, the real game-changer is the focused, tailored support during regular, one-to-one coaching sessions. We have put all the best ingredients of a senior-leadership programme into Empower, while recognising the support needed and specific context of new leaders.
