How will the Programme work?

Through a unique combination of interlocking Action-Learning workshops, Masterclasses, Coaching and an extensive Leadership Network.

Action-Learning

Five half-day workshops will enable participants to enhance their own performance through facilitated learning, reflection and dialogue with others. Action-Learning will focus on translating theory into practice, with a strong emphasis on ‘actionable knowledge’: in other words knowledge that works. In particular the workshops will support participants in bringing their own change projects to successful outcomes through an exploration of relevant concepts and case studies, and through the sharing of knowledge and experience. Participants will join a small group led by two highly experienced facilitators. All five workshops will be held at a regional location convenient to participants.

Workshop I is focused on an action inquiry into participants’ own jobs and organisations, exploring learning and change needs, and identifying possible work-based projects.

Workshops II to IV will each include:

• exploring key issues (including those raised by the Masterclasses below) as a whole group;
• identifying the implications of these issues for participants’ own jobs and organisations;
• sharing experience and peer review of each participant’s work-based project.

Workshop V focuses on presentations of work-based projects, including results and learning outcomes.

Masterclasses

Led by experts of national and international standing, three half-day Masterclasses will be interactive, informative and entertaining. Participants will gain insight into the latest management research and leading-edge practice. In addition to expert presentations, panel discussions with managers and employee representatives of innovative companies will provide honest and open accounts from the frontline of workplace innovation. Masterclasses will also demonstrate a range of practical tools and approaches to support the assessment, planning and implementation of change.

Masterclass I The Future of Work and Organisations

Masterclass II Leading Sustainable Change

Masterclass III High Involvement Innovation

Coaching

One-to-one coaching will provide additional support and encouragement, helping participants to consolidate their learning, to address any particularly tricky problems, and to signpost further support or resources as appropriate. Coaching will be off-line, confidential and individually focused. Three two-hour coaching sessions will be arranged at convenient regional locations.

Leadership Network

Participants will join an extensive Leadership Network, including members of their own and other groups, which will last beyond the life of the programme. Regular events will reunite participants and update them on new thinking and practice.

2009 Programme

The whole programme comprises eleven half-day sessions over a twelve-month period, all sessions being led by experts of national and international standing. The action-learning workshops, one-to-one coaching and masterclasses interlock over the twelve months. A typical pattern is shown in the table below:

Participants will also join a UK-wide Leadership Network that will last beyond the life of the programme. Regular national events will reunite participants and update them on new thinking and practice.

Current regional locations for action-learning and coaching include London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Birmingham, Leeds. A rolling programme of other workshop locations will be announced, subject to demand. All workshops are subject to a minimum of 6 participants.