Innovative format for new leadership development pop-up course

Pop-up Leadership has been one of the wins for this year.  It came about because we often get enquiries for leadership programmes from an organisation with just one or two individuals wanting to participate. Our model offered leadership as a group cohort, so we saw the need to change things.

2020 has definitely been a year of change. A focus for Upskills has centred around exploring online modes of learning, whilst still harnessing the learner-centred, active learning principles that make our training sessions uniquely successful.

11 participants from a range of manufacturing backgrounds are the trailblazers for our first Pop-up Leadership group. The experience gives more flexibility and consists of regular weekly Zoom sessions with the group and three full-day face-to-face wananga over the six-month period. The advantage of the online Zoom sessions is that they are short, punchy content learning bites in combination with a related self-directed online learning module on our learning platform, Intuto.

Participants cover key leadership essentials, from time management to personal SWOT analysis tools, conflict management, constructive feedback, and effective communication. Graduating participants will achieve the Level 3 NZ Certificate in Business (Team Leadership), in partnership with our Industry Training Organisation partner, Competenz.

Upskills Director Sarah Balfour says delivering the programme in this way makes it more accessible for people to attend. When learning is delivered in small bites, geographical barriers disappear.

“People enjoying the blended learning approach. The key learning takeaway from each session is really specific, tangible and easy to apply back at work,” says Sarah.

Here’s what our participants had to say

“I’m taking a couple of things away and incorporating them into what I do daily at work. For example, time management and how to use that tool effectively.”

“Honest communication with my staff.  I’m always really busy so coming back to the communication and making time for it is key.”

“Handling interpersonal issues. Trying to improve your relationship with that person through communication.”

“I really enjoyed learning about big rocks (priorities) and the circle of conscious competence. It’s a good understanding to have.”

We are currently taking enrolments for the next course intake.

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We also run a public leadership course for kaimahi Māori working in operational roles He Muka Tangata.