Building confident women leaders
PCCs new programme for women developing in a leadership role in health and social care focusses on growing the confidence to work across the system and the influence to reach across organisational boundaries. Asserting yourself as a leader – at any stage of your career – can feel like a bit of a mountain. Our programme, building confident women leaders, is designed to help. Delivered online by an experienced executive coach to a small group, the programme provides a safe space to talk, share, listen, learn and to come up with constructive ways forward. The programme is based on the principles of action learning sets and four of the six sessions are facilitated accordingly – offering space for individuals to talk through issues and challenges and for others to help them find their solution and make a plan.
In the first session, we will introduce the programme and what to expect and agree ways of working together. We’ll spend some time looking at imposter syndrome, confidence and the challenges of being women in leadership roles. Participants will be asked to identify what they want to work on over the coming sessions. The final session includes a review of the programme, and each participant will be asked to talk through their development over the last few months (an informal, short presentation). Outcomes from the programme include:
- An opportunity to practice coaching skills (including self-coaching)
- Enhanced listening skills
- Ideas and tools to work on imposter syndrome
- A sustainable network of supportive women
- Space to talk through fears and challenges with a view to problem-solving
- Confidence and support to develop your leadership skills and your career
The programme is facilitated by Helen Ellis, an experienced executive coach who has a special interest in working with women leaders, supporting them to work through challenges, actual and perceived, to achieve more and fulfil their ambitions. Focussing on a way forward and challenging where appropriate, she has trained groups of leaders and coached women from across the system who have benefitted from her warm and creative style. Sessions are delivered via Teams to groups of 8 participants and are three hours (including a short break
Recent feedback includes: “My approach to leadership has already changed and I have certainly developed my practice. I have also reflected on my career progression and made some big changes”.
“It was a great opportunity for us to talk in a space that was safe and not be judged. Supportive and great for development for each other, I loved that I was able to learn from every session.”
“What a wonderful opportunity to have Helen Ellis coaching us through each of these sessions. We were all afforded the chance to speak openly and honestly and be supported through the sessions. We have shared and supported one another and got a lot out of the whole experience.”
