Top Talent

Overview

Technology is changing the way we deliver public services.

Top Talent encourages you to focus on your unique qualities, develop confidence in your abilities, and to create impact through action: empowering those around you to the betterment of all. 

In these times of disruption, our sector needs leaders with vision, talent and insight. True leadership is about people, not processes. Effective leaders think critically, take risks, inspire others and innovate in order to affect change. 

This course is part of our Leadership Academy and is for people who have the talent and accountability to become outstanding leaders. Those who drive change through collaboration and passion.

Duration: 4 days plus a coaching session
Sectors: Public and private
Career level: All career levels
Points worth: 6 points*

*Our training workshops and courses are all worth a certain amount of points. Your membership package comes with an allocation of points to use throughout the year to suit the needs of your organisation.

Structure

This course is spread over approximately 10-12 weeks.

Top Talent is a collaborative experience. With your group you’ll:

• share ideas, insight and inspiration during a series of workshops
• benefit from tailored one-to-one coaching
• undertake a project challenge as a cohort

Using models, tools and case studies, you’ll work together to creatively devise dynamic solutions to real-life challenges, often set by third-party organisations who recognise the calibre of our Top Talent groups.  

The course concludes with a presentation at one of our events. This is when you’ll all present your research and conclusions to our delegates. 

One-to-one coaching session

This course includes a session with an experienced, specialist coach helps you explore what drives and defines your professional approach, helping you to sculpt a style of leadership rooted firmly in integrity.

What means the most to you professionally? How does it impact upon you personally? When did you last make time to reflect?

Group project

We work closely with agencies and organisations to create opportunities for team working and collaborative problem solving. As part of Top Talent, you’ll be set a group challenge and work together to develop a real-life solution that breaks new ground, challenges convention, and creates conversation.

Benefits

For you

• Become a more confident, effective and inspirational leader
• Identify and develop your unique leadership qualities 
• Fulfil your ambitions and realise your career vision more quickly and fervently. 

For your organisation

• Nurture, develop and retain leadership talent creating better outcomes 
• Drive behavioural and sustained cultural change affecting positive engagement
• Meet and fulfil targets more rapidly, holistically and satisfactorily. 

Requirements

It is important to note that we encourage applications from all job functions and all levels in the public sector. All are key to service transformation; including finance, planning, course management, customer account management, social services, ICT, digital, HR etc.

We assume participants on the course will:

• Have some team leadership or management experience (we will accept applicants about to move into a first leadership role, depending on the sponsor support)
• Be motivated and ambitious to succeed as a leader of change
• Be willing to contribute to group discussions and presentations
• Be enthusiastic and open-minded
• Through their executive sponsor, be identified as a potential high-impact leader in the organisation

A commitment to the whole course is mandatory.

Participants must have good communication skills and be willing to contribute with enthusiasm and energy.

You will be expected to spend at least two hours in preparation time before each workshop.

Outside of the workshop modules, there will be a requirement to engage in a one-hour personal coaching session.

The course is designed to minimise travel costs and time away from the office.

Course materials, refreshments and lunch are included.

Travel and any accommodation required is the participant’s responsibility. Overnight stays between consecutive workshop days are expected for networking and project work.

If any part of the course cannot be attended, then the candidate will not graduate (exceptional personal circumstances will be considered of course).