Who is this course for? 

This leadership development programme is specifically aimed at senior management – the paid professional leaders of organisations in the community and voluntary / nonprofit sector. 

Programme Content

The programme is designed in four overarching modules, each covering a key leadership competency: 

1. Module 1: Personal Leadership Model Building - The first module focuses on enhancing effective leadership through a combination of personal and shared reflection, as well as practical skills development, theoretical inputs and group practice. 

2. Module 2: Understanding and Leading Change - This module examines the complexities of advocating and leading change, including internal communications, fostering leadership in others and working with frameworks for change to develop a personal vision for leadership. 

3. Module 3: Systems Change – Working Creatively with Complexity - the third module provides a model for understanding organisational culture and how it relates to leadership, working creatively with conflict, exploring complexity theory and its relevance to leading systemic change.

4. Module 4: Building Strategic Alliances - The final module widens the learning to include skills development in collaborative working, working with power dynamics, as well developing a personal leadership plan and network for the future. 

How the Programme is delivered:

• Each participant will complete the Kantor Behavioral Propensity Profile (BI). This on line psychometric assessment helps individuals and groups discover the typical ways that they interact with other individuals, with groups and in their organisations. This tool will be used throughout the programme including an individual coaching session for each participant prior to module 1; 
• Reflective practice supported by learning journals; 
• Creative media e.g. drama, story-telling, poetry; 
• Small and large group work. 

What you will take away as a leader from this course 

• You will understand the Development of a personal leadership style and values; 
• You will have an increased capacity to find, ignite and develop leadership in others; 
• You will have greater communication competencies to transform individual and team relationships, organisations and whole systems; 
• You will learn innovative approaches and skill sets to lead change in a complex and turbulent environment; 
• You will develop a strong network of leaders within the sector. 

If this sounds like something you and your organisation could benefit from, please read on for details on how to apply. 

How is the course accredited 

On completion of the course, you will receive a Professional Certificate in Community Education & Equality Studies NUI Level 8, Maynooth University.

When and where will the course be delivered? 

The course will be held in the beautiful Sophia Wisdom Centre, 25 Cork Street, Dublin 8.  

What is the investment? 

For members of The Wheel: €1,650. 

For non-members of The Wheel: €1,950. 

Fees include registration with Maynooth University. 

Who will I be learning with? 

There is a strict selection criteria for this course with only 18 applicants accepted per year. You can see more about how applicants are chosen in our Selection Process.

SEE FULL DETAILS

If you have any queries, please email Jennifer - Jenniferarkins@canaction.ie. 

Bronagh O'Neill

Bronagh O’Neill has over 25 years of leadership and change management experience in the Community and Voluntary Sector operating both in management and governance roles primarily in a youth work context.  

In CAN Bronagh’s work includes leadership and organisational development within a human rights framework with a focus on intercultural community leadership, interagency collaborative practice and active citizenship. Bronagh has a strong background in group facilitation, personal development, organisational change, and strategic planning. 

Bronagh has a keen interest in group and organisational dynamics and how collaborative leadership across stakeholder groups can transform people and systems and can progressively realise social change and equality of outcome.   

Bronagh holds an MSc in Group Analytic Psychotherapy, an MA in Applied Social Studies, and a Diploma in Group Work Practice. She is trained in ‘Changing Behaviour in High Stakes’ using Structural Dynamics to navigate group settings. Email Bronagh at Bronagh@canaction.ie

Monica Manning

Monica Manning has worked for CAN for over 20 years.  She has extensive  experience of  providing leadership support to leaders and activists working in the not-for-profit sector . She has many years’ experience of the  Transformative Leadership having been involved in its original design. Her qualifications include Youth and Community Work and an MSc (University of Bath) on sustainability and change issues. She is an accredited Dialogue Facilitator, Leadership Coach and Change  Interventionist with The Kantor Institute and Dialogix UK.

Email Monica at monicamanning@canaction.ie.

On the personal development facilitated by the Transformative Leadership Programme:

“brought me back to my own core values and helped me reflect why I work in the NFP sector"

“No words could explain the impact this course has made on my personal and working life – I have entered into a personal journey of reflection, acceptance and acknowledgement .... the learning has been outstanding.

“It has brought me a new awareness in my role as a change-maker, how I impact on my team, and my interactions with my Board and external partners." 

“It was life-changing for me. I have more confidence in my role at work too."

On specific programme content, participants highlighted particular elements that were valuable:

The BPP Tool:

“wonderful “.  “The BPP has given me a better understanding of how others work and made me more accepting of their methods”

Complexity theory:

“...has helped me deal with the challenges we are facing at work and most notably how we can measure our work.” 

... discovering complexity theory and how it explains and can underpin the work of community development is important ... it validates our values and will help us to justify our work.”

“Very useful for understanding where other people are coming from and using this as a tool within the workplace"

Advocacy & enquiry:

“I am more reflective with different situations and more aware of my skills of advocacy and enquiry which I am trying to implement on a daily basis.”

Collaboration and participation:

“very relevant to the sector"

Dialogue exercise:

“.... very good.... fields of conversation, gives very clear structure that can be applied personally and professionally"

On the practical application of learning:

“Practically – it has changed the dynamic in team meetings.”

“The timeframe (6 months) drove me to implement the project that I had proposed but never started.”

“In my organisation [there is] more of a change in myself and my approaches, which is being reflected in my interactions with staff I manage and with colleagues in the management team.”

“I am already taking a wider view of issues which is impacting on my decision-making and actions."

On the quality of course facilitation:

“This course expects more of you – you have to fully commit and to the credit of the facilitators we were supported to do this."

On the diverse curriculum:

“... perfect balance between substantial theory and academic content..and... the many learning tools used practically consider and apply that theory and learning.”

On the group spirit and trust:

“...there was trust, openness, respect, we had fun and everyone engaged so well – that made the course a unique experience"

On the Impact on the participant's organisation: 

“Understanding structural dynamics in terms of both individuals and systems has been extremely useful in thinking about how our change initiative might succeed – how we might win allies, win people to our vision, and achieve something really important.”

“Started networking and collaborating with other services on a wider scale to address issues – course has helped me to do this.”

Participants suggesting who would benefit from programme:

“Anyone interested in becoming a better leader."

"Anyone in a leadership role in the community and voluntary sector with an interest in or commitment to equality.”

“I would recommend the programme to other managers or those in senior roles within the community and voluntary sector who have leadership roles.”

“...this course would be most beneficial to those who are open to new learning experiences, who are not afraid to be challenged in a positive way.”