What is The Leadership Circle?
The Leadership Circle is a 9 week virtual programme where 10 purpose-led women come together to explore what leadership looks like for them. The belief that underpins this circle is that everyone has the potential to lead, but many of us don’t see ourselves in this way. The programme aims to address this gap. By providing a safe, creative and collaborative space, we will move swiftly past the theory of leadership, and dive deep into what leadership looks and feels like to us as individuals. Using a mix of embodiment, breath work, visioning, self-reflection and group discussion, we connect with what values-driven, powerful, authentic leadership is to us.
Why this Programme?
"Every single crisis the world faces right now from the climate to inequality, is also a crisis of leadership. meaningful change is impossible if we don't change the sort of people who are in charge."
Arwa Mahdawi, Author ‘Strong Female Lead.
We need a diversity of leaders. We need representative leadership. Which means we need people who have not previously felt enabled, for whatever reason, to lead.
You want to be a leader. Or maybe you already are a leader. But what actually is leadership? How do you feel about leadership? What do you think about leadership? And most importantly of all how do you feel about you as a leader?
For some people leadership can feel uncomfortable, for others it can feel completely out of reach. Maybe because we don’t see leaders who look or think like us in society and the media. Or maybe because we don’t feel good enough, capable enough, skilled or knowledgeable enough, etc. To support you to feel more like a leader, lots of leadership programmes will help you to get to grips with the theory of leadership - following the wisdom that to feel more capable or comfortable as leaders we might *think* about leadership. Which is useful, but it excludes a major component of what leadership encompasses - our bodies!
The difference in this programme is we will explore leadership holistically - drawing on various sources of theory AND taking time to consider what these ideas mean for us. We will bring in our bodies (through breath, thought, emotion, and physical sensation) to explore how different aspects of leadership feel and how we can shift our bodies and mindsets to change that feeling. Put it this way - we know we need greater female representation at management and decision making levels, especially in government, climate and other purpose led-spaces. Yet women are disproportionately affected by imposter syndrome and not feeling good enough, meaning we are much more likely to get in our own way and hold ourselves back from taking risks, being bold, and essentially, being leaders.
What to expect from this programme:
The content of this programme is inspired and informed by the many brilliant sources of leadership theory from Brené Brown to Arwa Mahdawi and Simon Sinek. It is backed up by more than 10 years of personal experience working as a coach with purpose-led leaders and managers. That said, this journey is not about (one size fits all) answers! Instead we will be asking you lots of questions which, individually and collectively, we will explore and experiment with so you can find your own answers. We see this Circle as a chapter in your leadership journey: In the safety of a small and supportive group of peers, we encourage you to use this opportunity to be curious and experimental with new or challenging areas of leadership.
There will be time to share personal experiences, questions and wisdom peer-to-peer which (in past circles) has often resulted in honest, rich, deep connection and ideas. This is an embodiment course which means we’ll be using our bodies, standing, sitting, breathing, and connecting with our senses in all the sessions - this is a long way from a theoretical dive into leadership. It will be experimental and for that we thank you for your trust!Leaving the circle you will have a more holistic, embodied sense of yourself as a leader. You will feel connected to what good leadership looks like for you, including having a greater sense of ease and flow when taking on leadership opportunities and facing challenges. You will also have a lesser sense of inner limitation and stuckness or imposter syndrome here. Ultimately that you are able to be your powerful self more consistently and enjoyably!
The aims of this programme:
To clarify what great leadership looks like to you, including an expansive future vision for yourself as a leader.
Identify your leadership inspiration - who is a great leader to you and why?
Support you in moving from fear to courage.
Explore the key elements to building strong and trusting relationships.
Embody leadership - connect with your felt sense of leadership. How do you stand, breath, and feel as a confident leader?
Work through the blocks that get in your way, using the breath, mind and body.
Understand your needs as a leader - what practices, and which people, will scaffold your journey and development as a leader.
Schedule:
The course will be run as follows:
4 weeks of in-person sessions via Zoom on a Wednesday afternoon, 3.30-5pm GMT. 4.30-6.00pm CET.
Session dates: 18th, 25th January, 1st & 8th February 2023.
1 week to connect with your buddy from the group: 15th February 2023
4 further weeks of in-person sessions via Zoom on a Wednesday afternoon 3.30-5pm GMT. 4.30-6.00 CET.
Session dates: 22nd February, 1st, 8th & 15th March 2023.
Total time commitment: approximately 3 hours a week: The in person sessions are 90 minutes long, and you will also need to allow 30-60 minutes a week for your individual reflections and journaling.
Included: a 1-1 virtual coaching session with either Joey or Sarah - both qualified, experienced coaches.
There will be no more than 10 participants in the group.
The group will be co-led by Sarah Hutchison & Joey Clifton.
This is for you if:
You are a purpose-led woman working in climate change, sustainability or social change, or some other purpose-led area.
You want to step up in your life and work as a leader. You want to be part of a supportive and kind community of peers.
You’re ready to do the work of becoming a leader - this circle will give you space to explore what leadership is to you.
Between the group sessions there will be ‘fieldwork’ for you to engage with. You can’t learn to cook by simply reading recipes, in the same way stepping into leadership requires action. As with all things the more you engage with this process the more you’ll get from it. We ask for your intentional participation in the sessions, commitment to the fieldwork, and engagement with the group, for the duration of the course.
You must have a good internet connection and access to Zoom. All group sessions will require you having video turned on.
This is not for you if:
You’re looking for advice and solutions to practical leadership problems.
You can’t attend the dates / times. Sessions will not be recorded. To get the most from this programme and community please check the times work for you.
You prefer to be given answers not questions.
What is included:
7 x 90 minute and 1 x 120 minute circle sessions with 9 other participants and 2 experienced facilitators.
1 x 60 minute 1-1 virtual coaching session with either Joey or Sarah, to support your journey
1 x buddy call with another member of the circle (you may choose to organise more)
A comprehensive workbook to support your exploration and reflection during this programme.
Participation in a private WhatsApp group - just for your circle - to have real time connection with your group.
2023 fees & enrolment:
Early-bird ticket £350 available until 14th December 2022.
Full price ticket £395 available until 5th January 2023 when enrolment for the next circle closes.
Bursary options available - please email for more information.
To book your place or for more information please email sarah@second-nature.consulting
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