Leadership is not just about occupying a position of authority; it’s about creating meaningful impact and fostering inclusive growth. Yet, the journey to leadership for women often comes with unique challenges and barriers that stem from deeply ingrained societal norms, limited access to networks, and the expectation to conform to traditional leadership styles. How do we address these systemic issues and empower women to lead authentically and effectively?
Drawing on my recently published research on Women-Only Leadership Development Programmes (WLDPs) (Sayers-Brown et al., 2024), our Further programme has been developed to provide a roadmap for advancing women leaders through targeted, evidence-based interventions. This research underpins the ethos and design of the programme, ensuring its alignment with contemporary challenges and opportunities for women in leadership. Here, we offer a glimpse into the key insights and strategies shaping this new era of leadership development.
Insights from the research
This research highlights the transformative power of these programmes in building two critical forms of leadership capital:
- Human capital: By focusing on personal growth, leadership identity, and self-efficacy, these programmes equip women with the skills and confidence necessary to lead effectively. Participants develop self-awareness, clarity of purpose, and the ability to navigate complex organisational dynamics.
- Social capital: Leadership development is not just about individual capabilities but also about relationships. These programmes foster the creation of strategic networks and alliances, enabling participants to build influence, share resources, and leverage diverse perspectives to drive success.
Harnessing strengths and intersectionality: building leadership capital
Central to the success of these programmes is their emphasis on strengths-based development and the concept of intersectionality:
- Strengths-based development: By identifying and leveraging their natural abilities, participants gain the confidence to navigate challenges with authenticity and resilience. Strengths-based approaches encourage women to focus on what they do best, fostering both empowerment and adaptability.
- Intersectionality: Recognising that women’s experiences in leadership are shaped by the interplay of their various identities (e.g., gender, race, socioeconomic background), these programmes help participants explore how their unique perspectives and lived experiences can become powerful assets in their leadership journey. This understanding enables women to lead in ways that are authentic to their values and experiences, fostering deeper engagement and impact.
The dual pathways of Further
The Further programme integrates individual and group learning paths to explore and harness these areas, delivered through a comprehensive development experience:
Individual pathway: unlocking strengths with Facet5 and coaching
The individual pathway empowers personal growth and leadership effectiveness through:
- Facet5 psychometric assessment: This tool provides participants with deep insights into their personality traits and natural strengths. Understanding these qualities is critical for maximising impact in leadership roles and supporting wellbeing when having to navigate contexts that already put participants at a disadvantage.
- 1:1 coaching sessions: Tailored coaching supports participants in exploring their unique strengths and aligning them with their personal and professional goals. These sessions create a space for self-reflection, enabling participants to build resilience, confidence, and clarity of purpose.
This focused approach equips female leaders to thrive in diverse professional environments, leveraging their strengths to overcome challenges and achieve meaningful outcomes.
Group pathway: building connections and shared growth
The group pathway focuses on fostering collaborative learning and building supportive networks. Participants engage in guided learning sessions that encourage the exploration of their unique strengths and strategies for resilience. These sessions also include practical tools for managing conflict, enhancing influence, and building strategic relationships that support leadership advancement. Additionally, participants refine their leadership brand and set actionable steps to achieve long-term career aspirations.
This dual-pathway approach ensures a holistic development experience, combining self-insight with collective empowerment to prepare women for the multifaceted challenges of leadership.
Find out more
Our webinar offers an exclusive opportunity to delve deeper into these findings and explore the strategies that make Further a game-changer for women in leadership. Whether you are a potential participant, a diversity advocate, or a decision-maker eager to support women’s leadership, this session will equip you with essential insights to drive meaningful change and help advance women in leadership roles. Join our session at 1pm on Thursday, 23 January 2025 to explore the transformative power of women-only leadership programmes.
