Lead Positive Programme Launch

A conscious leadership programme for aspirant leaders

On Wednesday 19^th and Thursday 20^th July, we welcomed 100 aspirant leaders from Black, Asian or other ethnic minority groups from across Greater Manchester Trusts to the first module of the Lead Positive Programme.

Working in partnership with the Greater Manchester Integrated Care System, this bespoke programme of development and support aims to address the barriers in the talent pipeline that exists at Agenda for Change bands 5 and 6 for NHS colleagues who are from a Black, Asian or other ethnic minority groups.

The unique programme provides an opportunity for Trusts across Greater Manchester to pilot a new approach in their organisation and start to address these barriers through a bespoke learner programme. 

The learner programme supports aspirant leaders through a bespoke leadership development programme, aimed at maximising their existing talent and capacity through building confidence and the ability to influence positive change. Alongside fundamental development support, the programme also sensitively considers participants’ lived experience. 

Following an introductory webinar held in late June, aspirant leaders came together across two days to complete their first face to face module of the programme. Over the coming months, participants will take part in a series of modules, group coaching and self-led learning to increase confidence, improve strategic thinking, improve ability to break through barriers and empower aspirant leaders. 

I was fascinated by the pragmatic learning approach, emphasising self-compassionate and self-care while diving into the learning zones. Most training plunges into content, isolating the person from the subject and its environment, theoretical academic learning even fails to connect to practice. As a result, those that gain learning from practice lack theoretical frame that guides the practice and those learning from academia cannot interpret theory into practice, creating a fragmented learning experience….I was excited that the programme has taken a pragmatic approach, rooted in John Dewy theory, because for one to observe the four principles; unity, interest, experience, and integration, one would have learnt consciously from the project-based learning strategies that focuses on topics relevant to participants’ lives.

Programme participant

We will share more learning and insights from the programme at our upcoming Festival of Leadership, on Monday 11^th September and in our next edition of Leader, our quarterly publication.