Course overview
Each module focuses on real workplace application, giving you the skills and confidence to lead effectively, make better decisions and improve team performance from day one. Designed for current and aspiring managers, team leaders and professionals responsible for leading people, driving performance or supporting organisational change.
Top 5 reasons to join this programme:
Build a leadership programme around your goals
Choose from a range of leadership and management topics to create a personalised development journey aligned to your role, team and organisational priorities.
Apply learning immediately in the workplace
Every module focuses on practical application, helping you build confidence, improve decision-making and enhance team performance from day one.
Increase your impact as a leader
Develop the self-awareness, emotional intelligence, communication and coaching skills needed to influence others, build strong relationships and bring out the best in your team.
Think more strategically and prepare for the future
Strengthen your ability to tackle complex challenges, manage risk, make informed decisions and respond to emerging trends such as AI, digital transformation and the future of work.
Lead change with confidence
Build the skills to engage people, manage performance, drive innovation and successfully lead change, helping your organisation adapt and thrive in a fast-changing environment.
Course details
What you study
You tailor the programme to your development needs by selecting seven modules from the suite of leadership and professional development topics.
Insights Discovery
Develop greater self-awareness and strengthen the way you work with others. Using personalised profiling and practical exercises, you explore your strengths, communication style and leadership approach, helping you build stronger relationships, improve collaboration and maximise your impact at work. You gain a deeper understanding of how you respond under pressure, how others may perceive your approach, and how to adapt your style to communicate and work more effectively with different people.
Leadership v Management
Understand the difference between leading and managing, and learn when to apply each approach. Through practical activities, leadership models and real-world examples, you develop your leadership capability, improve decision-making and gain the confidence to lead teams and organisational change more effectively. You lso explore different leadership styles and learn how to create a clear vision that aligns people around shared goals.
Leading Self and Others
Build the self-awareness, emotional intelligence and coaching skills needed to lead with confidence. This practical session helps you understand your own leadership style, support the development of others and strengthen your ability to navigate challenges, build resilience and create positive working relationships. You also explore coaching and mentoring techniques, develop strategies for managing self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and learn how to support others to reach their potential.
Strategic Thinking and Decision Making
Develop the tools and techniques needed to think strategically, solve problems and make informed decisions. You explore approaches to planning, risk assessment and decision-making that help you align day-to-day activity with wider organisational goals and future opportunities. Using practical frameworks and real-world scenarios, you learn how to assess challenges, evaluate options and translate complex objectives into achievable plans.
The Future of Work
Explore the trends transforming the workplace, from AI and automation to changing workforce expectations and emerging skills needs. You gain practical insight into how organisations can adapt, innovate and build future-ready teams, while developing a roadmap for sustainable change. The session explores the impact of technology, flexible working, wellbeing and workforce demographics, helping you identify opportunities and prepare for the challenges ahead.
1-to-1 Mentoring
Receive personalised support tailored to your individual goals, challenges and development needs. Working alongside an experienced mentor, you gain practical guidance, fresh perspectives and the confidence to apply new approaches that support your professional growth and career progression. Sessions provide a confidential space to reflect on real workplace situations, explore solutions and develop actionable plans for success.
Accountability and Performance
Discover how to create a culture of accountability while supporting high levels of performance and engagement. This session explores effective delegation, performance management and leadership approaches that help individuals and teams achieve shared goals. You learn how to set clear expectations, monitor progress, provide constructive feedback and adapt your leadership style to support different levels of capability and experience.
Sustainable Organisation
Examine how organisations can balance commercial success with social, environmental and ethical responsibilities. Through practical examples and discussion, you explore sustainable leadership, responsible decision-making and the role of organisations in creating long-term value for people, communities and society. You also consider how sustainability, stakeholder expectations and social impact are shaping the future of organisational strategy and leadership.
Entrepreneurial Leadership
Learn how entrepreneurial thinking can drive innovation, opportunity and organisational success. Through real-world examples and practical application, you explore how leaders can embrace change, develop strategic agility and create environments where new ideas and initiatives can thrive. You examine the behaviours, mindset and decision-making approaches that help organisations identify opportunities, respond to challenges and deliver sustainable growth.
Effective Communication and Employee Engagement
Strengthen your ability to communicate with clarity, build trust and engage others effectively. You develop practical techniques for influencing, listening, storytelling and feedback, helping you create stronger relationships, more engaged teams and better organisational outcomes. The session also explores how effective communication supports change, collaboration and employee engagement, enabling leaders to create inclusive and high-performing workplace cultures.
Change Management Essentials
Build the knowledge and confidence needed to lead change successfully. You explore proven change management approaches, understand how to overcome resistance and learn how to engage stakeholders to deliver lasting and meaningful organisational transformation. Through practical exercises and discussion, you develop the skills to communicate change effectively, build momentum and support individuals and teams through periods of uncertainty and transition.
How you learn
The programme is delivered through a combination of on-campus workshops and dedicated one-to-one mentoring sessions. Interactive and highly practical, the sessions encourage discussion, reflection and real-world application, providing opportunities to learn from both experienced facilitators and fellow participants.
How you are assessed
With no formal assessments, this unaccredited course allows you to focus on developing practical skills without the pressure of exams, encouraging the application of knowledge directly in the workplace. You will however receive a certificate of completion and attendance as a result.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
You are expected to:
- be a Tees Valley resident aged 19 and over, and meet the relevant legal entitlement requirements
- have a clear development pathway within your employment, such as progression into a new or more senior role, increased responsibilities, salary progression, or developing skills to meet an identified business need
- commit to engaging with the programme and completing all required documentation and reporting.
Employability
Career opportunities
Our bespoke, employer-led programmes combine practical learning with real-world application, supporting positive outcomes for both organisations and employees.
These programmes are designed for employers with identified workforce development needs and employees who are being supported to progress within their role, take on additional responsibilities, address skills gaps, or prepare for promotion and career advancement. The focus is on enabling business growth, improving productivity, and supporting workforce progression through targeted skills development.