Program Description

Program Title: Leading Forward – 12 Month Individual Development Program

Program Description

A coaching and learning content journey for workplace leaders.

Leading Forward gives frontline, experienced and senior leaders twelve months of structured coaching, customised learning and online support, all applied to the real work in front of them. Eight coaching sessions set the direction. Monthly activities build the habits. Your organisation sees the progress.

The coaching starts the conversation. Leadership grows over time.

Many leaders are promoted for their technical strengths, then expected to lead people without much support. A one-day program can spark good intentions, but without time, practice and feedback, day-to-day pressure usually wins.

Leading Forward is built to close that gap. It keeps development going for twelve months, ties it to goals that matter in the leader’s own role, and involves the organisation along the way.

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What is Leading Forward?

Leading Forward is a twelve-month development program that combines personal coaching with customised learning content. It runs in four quarters. In each quarter, the leader and their coach agree goals, choose the learning and activity that will move those goals forward, and review what worked.

Between sessions, an online platform keeps everything in one place: customised content and materials, milestones, reminders and progress. A sponsor from the leader’s organisation is part of the process from the first meeting and will received ways they can support the participant through the process.

The program is designed for a variety of target groups, from frontline leaders to senior executives and board directors, so an organisation can use one approach across its leadership pipeline.

The program at a glance

Duration: 12 months, in four quarters
Coaching: 8 coaching sessions of 1.5 hours each, two per quarter
Learning: Customised content and activity between sessions
Platform: Online progress platform and materials
Insight: Profiles and feedback tools, including 360-degree feedback can be added as required
Reporting: A report to your sponsor after each quarter, and a formal coaching report and debrief at the end
Levels: Five tiers, from Mate to Manager through to Board Directors

How the journey works

The journey has a clear start, four quarters of focused development, and a formal close and next steps.

Inside every quarter

Each quarter follows the same six steps, so leaders always know what is happening, what is expected and how they are progressing.

1. Pre-session. Coaching intent and goals are developed in the online platform.
2. Coaching Session 1. Review goals, and identify learning content, support and activity for each of the three months ahead.
3. Customised content and activity. Content is released each month to align to each leader’s learning goals.
4. Milestones, nudges and monitoring. Online nudges and progress tracking keep momentum between sessions.
5. Coaching Session 2. Debrief the content and the lessons learned from activity and projects.
6. Quarter evaluation. A report to the sponsor, including ideas for further support is provided.

Then the cycle begins again, building on what the leader has learned and needs at that time along the journey.

Built for every level of leadership

Leading Forward is customised to each participant’s needs. These example topics show the kind of content each tier explores.

1. Mate to Manager
Mate-to-manager transition; getting to know your team; changing relationships; boundary setting; delegating well; team dynamics

2. Emerging Leader
Leading self; leading a team; giving feedback; managing performance; leading as a coach; managing time and priorities

3. Experienced Manager
High performance teams; motivation and engagement; communication and collaboration; group dynamics and culture; direction and alignment; managing up

4. Senior Managers
Build organisational culture; business planning and strategic thinking capability; drive execution; optimise business outcomes; managing change

5. Board Directors
Governance and director duties; board dynamics; risk and strategy; legal and finance; board effectiveness and evaluation; CEO relationships

The sponsor meeting at the start of the program is where the right tier and focus are confirmed.

Tools and content that keep learning moving

Coaching sessions are supported by a mix of tools and content, so learning continues between them.

Reflect and plan
– Reflective logs
– Online surveys and reflective questions
– Action plans in the online platform

Learn
– Targeted and custom-designed content
– Recommended reading lists
– Recommended TED talks and online videos

Understand yourself and others
– Profiles and feedback tools
– Online DiSC portal and content
– 360-degree feedback tools

Stay on track and supported
– Online platform content and activity nudges
– Coach support and assistance
– Supervisor support ideas and updates

What leaders gain

– A clear focus. Goals are set each quarter with your coach, built around your role rather than a generic curriculum.
– Time to practise. Learning is built into monthly activity in your own work, so it is applied, not just discussed.
– Honest insight. Profiles and 360-degree feedback show how you lead and how others experience your leadership.
– Steady momentum. Milestones and online nudges keep progress visible between coaching sessions.
– Support around you. Your sponsor receives regular reports and is invited to offer practical support.

What sponsors and organisations get

If you are investing in your leaders, you should be able to see what that investment is doing. Leading Forward builds the sponsor into the program from the first meeting.

– A say from the start. A sponsor meeting before coaching begins, so the program reflects what your organisation needs.
– Regular reporting. A report to the sponsor after every quarter, including ideas for how you can support the leader.
– A formal close. A formal coaching report and debrief when the twelve months are complete.
– One approach, every level. The same structure works for first-time managers, senior executives and board directors, with content tailored to each.