Fellowship Programme Content (Cross-Sector)

Fellowship Timeline Overview

Cross-Sector Fellowship Sample Programme Overview

Leaders Plus Cross Sector Programme Overview

The Leaders Plus Fellowship is designed to support ambitious working parents who are passionate about progressing their careers, and being there for their family. We believe no one should have to choose between being a CEO and a parent.

The Fellowship programme provides the time and space for Fellows to identify a bold vision (for 5 or 10 years time) and take action towards achieving it. The structure is centered around this developing vision and blends research evidence in career progression, deep thinking, peer support and facilitated discussion, to support Fellows to overcome challenges in reaching their goals. We aim to challenge their thinking and encourage them to be bold and courageous in their choices. Our Fellows are trailblazers as the Fellowship supports them to find what works for them and drive change for others. 

There is a strong onus on taking action and experimentation, as we know from previous impact reports that Fellows who take action and experiment  are the one who see the highest impact. Each session will end with the Fellows being asked to think about the actions and experiments  they will take (and add them to their implementation log), and we use our community platform Ugenie, to continue momentum and hold them accountable. 

The Fellowship is inclusive and welcomes the diverse ideas of the group; excellent facilitation ensures all voices are heard and valued equally. We use principles from Nancy Klein's Thinking Environment to support this by giving Fellows complete attention and quality thinking time.

You can visit our FAQs section which answers common questions about the Programme.

PAGE CONTENTS (Scroll to view)

  • Blended Learning: Fellows attend 4 in person sessions and 5 online sessions
  • Online Learning: 12 online modules
  • Optional Sessions Open to All Fellows (online)

 

Blended Learning: Fellows attend 4 in person sessions and 5 online sessions

Module 1: Planning for Impact

In this session 

  • Fellows to share the impact they want the programme to have for them. 
  • We also share what we know from our impact reports and experience of previous fellows that makes the biggest impact. 
  • We introduce the Leaders Plus values and expectations we have of Fellows.
Module 2: Vision, Negotiation and Liberating Assumptions (1 day workshop, face to face)

In this session:

  • We invite Fellows to create deep connections by sharing memories that shaped them. We know that creating deep connections as a peer group plays an important role in the impact the Fellowship can have. To be brave and courageous Fellows need to have the space to share opening, think deeply and experiment with new thinking and actions. 
  • We also look at limiting and liberating assumptions; what thoughts and perceptions hold us back and how can we reframe them into something positive. 
  • Fellows start to explore the idea of a vision for their family life and career in 5 or 10 years time. 
  • Fellows learn about what the research evidence says about successful negotiation and have the opportunity to practice negotiating something that will help their vision become a reality.
  • Fellows explore ideas around how to successfully set boundaries and say no; sharing what has worked for them in the past and thinking about what they could put in place for the future.
Module 3: Meet Your Senior Leader Mentor (3h, online)

In this session:

  • Mentors and Fellows explore how to create impactful relationships and  meaningful conversations 
  • Fellows are introduced to their senior leader mentor for the first time. They opt into the relationship to ensure commitment and then spend time to agree on a way forward (contracting).

Previous Mentors have included:

Module 4: Thriving as a Working Parent - Your Vision, Setting Boundaries and Communicating with Authority Where It Matters (1 day workshop, face to face)

In this session:

  • Fellows share their vision for their family and career in 5 or 10 years time. 
  • We explore how communicating with authority can help you move closer to your vision. 
  • Fellows practice flexing their communication style and discuss how being able to flex has an impact on their career progression.
  • We look at imposter syndrome and how to deal with it, including a focus on self compassion as a key tool.
Module 5: Internal promotion and managing upwards (2 hrs, online)

In this session:

  • Fellows look at what works when managing upwards and the impact this has on career progression, specifically internal promotion. 
  • Fellows share what has worked for them and discuss the pre work worksheet which outlines questions to ask of your manager as to how they like to work. 
  • In the second half of the session a panel of HR professionals join the session to answer questions on internal promotion.
Module 6: Networks, sponsors, self promotion and managing reputation
(1 day workshop, face to face)

In this session:

  • Fellows look at how different types of networks (strategic and operational) have a high impact career progression. 
  • Fellows understand what sponsorship looks like and how to identify one.
  • Fellows explore how a sponsor can play an important role in helping them to achieve their vision. 
  • Fellows look at the art of self promotion and why it matters in career progression. They start to think about how they can share their achievements and what they want to be known for.
Module 7: Inclusive Line Management

In this session:

  • Line managers of fellows attend the first part of the session learn about the latest research about what causes career progression, specifically how to be an inclusive Line Manager for underrepresented groups in senior leadership.
  • Fellows join the session and share with their line managers how they can support them with their vision for career and family life.
Module 8: Action and implementation (2hrs, online)

In this session:

  • Fellows start to consolidate their learning from the programme by way of an action plan. 
  • Fellows reconnect to their vision and use the experience in the group to start to hone their long term action plan.
Module 9: Taking the learning forward (2hrs)

In this session:

  • Fellows share their light bulb moments from the Fellowship and what they will take forward.
  • Fellows share their action plans.
  • We share the ways in which they can keep in touch and continue to drive change for others.
  • We celebrate their progress and completion of the Fellowship.
    Fellows hear from a panel of senior leaders about how they progressed to leadership positions whilst being a present parent.
Senior Leader Roundtable: What Working Parents Tell Us About How To Be A Top Employer For Working Parents
  • You will be asked to invite your senior leaders to a roundtable event so they can learn from Leaders Plus experts about best practice for retaining and attracting working parents. 
Final Face to Face Event

Online Learning: 12 online modules

Module A: Planning for Impact

In this session 

  • Fellows to share the impact they want the programme to have for them. 
  • We also share what we know from our impact reports and experience of previous fellows that makes the biggest impact. 
  • We introduce the Leaders Plus values and expectations we have of Fellows.
Module B: Courageous Visions and Liberating Assumptions

In this session:

  • We invite Fellows to create deep connections by sharing memories that shaped them. We know that creating deep connections as a peer group plays an important role in the impact the Fellowship can have. To be brave and courageous Fellows need to have the space to share opening, think deeply and experiment with new thinking and actions. 
  • We also look at limiting and liberating assumptions; what thoughts and perceptions hold us back and how can we reframe them into something positive. 
  • Fellows start to explore the idea of a vision for their family life and career in 5 or 10 years time.
Module C: Share your Visions and Communicate what you need to Achieve them

In this session:

  • Fellows share their vision for their family and career in 5 or 10 years time. 
  • Fellows practice flexing their communication style and discuss how being able to flex has an impact on their career progression.
Module D: Mentor Introduction

In this session:

  • Mentors and Fellows explore how to create impactful relationships and  meaningful conversations 
  • Fellows are introduced to their senior leader mentor for the first time. They opt into the relationship to ensure commitment and then spend time to agree on a way forward (contracting).

Previous Mentors have included:

Module E: Deepen your Visions and Negotiate where it Matters

In this session

  • Fellows start to continue to explore their vision for their family life and career in 5 or 10 years time. 
  • Fellows learn about what the research evidence says about successful negotiation and have the opportunity to practice negotiating something that will help their vision become a reality
Module F: Finding People to Advocate for You

In this session:

  • Fellows look at how different types of networks (strategic and operational) have a high impact career progression. 
  • Fellows understand what sponsorship looks like and how to identify one.
  • Fellows explore how a sponsor can play an important role in helping them to achieve their vision.
Module G: Self promotion and Imposter Syndrome

In this session:

  • We explore how communicating with authority can help you move closer to your vision.
  • Fellows look at the art of self promotion and why it matters in career progression. They start to think about how they can share their achievements and what they want to be known for. 
  • We look at imposter syndrome and how to deal with it, including a focus on self compassion as a key tool.
Module H: Internal promotion and managing upwards

In this session:

  • Fellows look at what works when managing upwards and the impact this has on career progression, specifically internal promotion. 
  • Fellows share what has worked for them and discuss the pre work worksheet which outlines questions to ask of your manager as to how they like to work. 
  • In the second half of the session a panel of HR professionals join the session to answer question on internal promotion.
Module I: Action planning, setting boundaries

In this session:

  • Fellows start to consolidate their actions plans (linked back to the vision). 
  • Fellows explore ideas around how to successfully set boundaries and say no; sharing what has worked for them in the past and thinking about what they could put in place for the future.
Module J: Inclusive Line Management

In this session:

  • Line managers of fellows attend the first part of the session learn about the latest research about what causes career progression, specifically how to be an inclusive Line Manager for underrepresented groups in senior leadership.
  • Fellows join the session and share with their line managers how they can support them with their vision for career and family life. 
Module K: Action Planning and moving forward

In this session:

  • Fellows share their action plans and explore how they will keep momentum towards their vision.
Module L: Taking the Learning Forward
  • In this session:
    • Fellows share their light bulb moments from the Fellowship and what they will take forward.
    • We share the ways in which they can keep in touch and continue to drive change for others.
    • We celebrate their progress and completion of the Fellowship.
    • Fellows hear from a panel of senior leaders about how they progressed to leadership positions whilst being a present parent. 

Optional Sessions Available to All Fellows (online)

Dads Connect
  • This session is for the dads in the cohort to connect across their small groups.
Partner Sessions
  • Fellows in a partner relationship attend with their partners to explore their visions and how they can work together towards achieving them.
Diversity and Inclusion
  • An opportunity for fellows that identify as form an ethnically minoritised group to hear from senior leaders who have also navigated career progression as a parent through the intersectional lens.
Solo Parents Workshop
  • This session is for solo parents in the cohort to connect across their small groups and explore career progression as a solo parent.

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