Turner Broadcasting are part of Time Warner and own brands such as CNN and Cartoon Network. We were already providing our exit survey, new employee survey and course evaluation survey service for them when they invited us to pitch for the development and delivery of a brand new leadership programme. We were successful and set about creating a tailored programme for them. ‘Leadership in Action’ is aimed at heads of department/directors so is a fairly senior programme. Many of the attendees had received some previous development, but this was quite inconsistent and, to be honest, they couldn’t really remember what they had previously learned.

We designed a 6-day programme consisting of three two-day workshops. The philosophy is to provide a blend of pragmatic input based on solid leadership thinking, lots of facilitated discussion, self awareness feedback including 360 degree feedback and the opportunity to work on real business challenges. In addition each attendee receives one-to-one coaching to support the implementation of their learning. 

The first programme ran in 2009 and programme four will run in 2011. 

Here's what one of the first workshop attendees thought: 

"The leadership course that i attended run by RWC was excellent. Everything was focused towards identifying and improving areas of leadership that are real and relevant to my day to day business. The course evolved with us across the 6 days to keep it as relevant as possible. Teh subsequent coaching sessions with Rachael have benn extremely useful, helping me to put into practice the specifics from the course".

Nicola Harrison - Turner Broadcasting

CACHE (Council for Awards in Childrens Care and Education) asked us to design and run a suite of management development programmes for all of their managers. We helped them by designing and delivering three core programmes. 

The first programme is a two-part four-day course called Essential Supervision, designed to equip Supervisors with the key skills required to interact effectively with their people. It provides the interpersonal building blocks for effectively dealing with the typical situations Supervisors face in doing their job. The programme recognises that good Supervisors are able to communicate and build strong relationships with their people and are able to assertively manage tough conversations and situations.    

The next level programme is a three-part five-day programme called Preparing for Management. It is designed for Supervisors who have been through Essential Supervision and have been recognised as having the potential to be promoted into a Managerial position. Preparing for Management is a modular programme that builds on the content of Essential Supervision, and it provides substantial personal feedback through the use of 360 degree feedback and self-diagnosis questionnaires, content on what leadership and management is all about and how to deliver results in a managerial role. It provides a blend of theoretical input, feedback, experiential learning and skills. 

The most senior level programme is a three-part five-day programme called Leadership in Action. It is designed to provide a practical focus on how to lead effectively. It enables participants to review their current leadership style in the context of leading a departmental team on both a daily basis and through periods of change. The programme also allows participants to apply their learning to a relevant business challenge.    

All three programmes make extensive use of self-awareness tools and learning transfer for Preparing for Management and Leadership in Action is aided by individual coaching for each attendee.

Here's what one of the first workshop attendees thought:

"I've been meaning to drop you a line to say thank you. The 4 days and the coaching have been really beneficial. In relation to managing my team - it is like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and i feel back in control again, so much self doubt has just evaporated. In relation to being part of the management team - much to my amazement I'm finding a voice and using it. Leadership in Action - it really works and I remind myself daily that I am the boss."

Lyn Alway, Facilities Manager, CACHE 

As the provider of their 360° feedback process, Aylesbury Vale District Council asked us to help deliver their ‘Be The Change’ programme for the top 60 leaders in the organisation. The programme comprises a series of one-day workshop where the morning sessions are delivered by external speakers. Our role is to facilitate the afternoon sessions with the aim of helping attendees translate the learning from the morning session into tangible actions.  We also provide 360 feedback for workshop attendees to supplement their learning.

One of the main outcomes from the first programme was to identify that one of the main issues facing the organisation was to improve the way performance issues were addressed. The group created several project teams to review some of their key people processes such as appraisal and their talent review process. The programme culminated in each group presenting their proposals with the result that some significant changes are now being implemented within the organisation.