Programme overview

Graduates and Future Leaders

The programme has 2 groups which run at the same time and which follow broadly the same programme content. The groups are aimed at those working at different grades:

Graduates: E, F and G grades
Future Leaders: H and I+ grades.

It is important to note that there is no difference between the groups in terms of ability, performance or potential. The modules are run separately because challenges and application of learning will differ depending on the context of work and the level of experience. There are many opportunities for both groups to work together during the modules and in other parts of the programme - indeed, working together is expected.

Content

The main facilitated element of the programme is 4 x 2 day modules for both Graduates and Future Leaders in the areas of:

emotional intelligence
leadership
Hampshire in context
leading change.

The additional elements of the programme are:

individual 360-degree report and feedback
an induction day
individual coaching during and at the end of the programme
membership of the Chartered Management Institute and completion of a management qualification
access to online resources and materials
feedback on your assignments and your progress
a learning journal
additional workshops, eg presentation skills, project management
A RADICAL challenge set by a senior manager in the organisation, to be completed as a project group.

Please see the key dates and time commitments section of this site for details of the time commitment required from participants.

Here is a flow chart of how the programme elements fit together.

Benefits and outcomes

In addition to the module outcomes, you are encouraged to develop what you personally need to focus on. Key benefits from the programme that past participants have found are:

develop personal management and leadership skills
gain confidence and change your mindset
learn from peers and experts
be challenged to improve
experience leading edge thinking
experience a variety of activities to test out learning in a safe environment
be supported and challenged to apply your learning to make a difference
work on different areas of the business
access senior managers across the organisation and outside
raise your professional profile.

Outcomes from the modules

The modules are planned to link together and to build on each other.

Module 1: Emotional Intelligence

to increase self-awareness and confidence in working with others
to reflect on the impact we have on others and others have on us
to explore how to build trust in relationships
to examine situations from alternative perspectives.

Intended impact on practice:

to develop resilience to succeed in uncertain times
to demonstrate flexibility of approach to build strong, effective working relationships.

Module 2: Leadership

Learning outcomes:

to reflect on your personal strengths and weaknesses including the impact of your leadership style on others
to differentiate between leadership and management and how they link to each other
to explore different models of leadership and their impact
to determine appropriate leadership behaviour when leading in challenging circumstances and times of change
to evaluate approaches of raising your personal profile in order to be more influential and empowered, and to be able to influence without authority.

Intended impact on practice:

to find better ways of getting people (internal and external) to do willingly what needs to be done
to demonstrate authentic leadership
to use open, collaborative and inventive working practices inside and outside the council.

Module 3: Hampshire in context

Learning outcomes:

to reflect on what acting strategically looks like
to apply a strategic approach to a current corporate challenge
to promote positive ways of working between Members and Officers, stakeholders and partners
to explore the political environment in which we work and ways that you might influence this.

Intended impact on practice:

to develop and effectively use political intelligence with a big and small p
to apply strategy tools to improve leadership performance
to appreciate the ways that politics can be applied constructively and with integrity.

Module 4: Change leadership

Learning outcomes:

to experience what happens to people when things are changing and what leaders can do to lead people through change
to create a compelling vision and guiding principles to engage others in a change
to apply learning to a personal change challenge
to explore options for the future shape of our services and effective leadership actions to take
to examine types of change and approaches to change leadership (Graduates only)
to diagnose the elements of organisational culture in Hampshire County Council, what helps and hinders change and what can you do to mitigate / maximise these (Future Leaders only).

Intended impact on practice:

to identify and act on what is achievable within your own sphere of influence
to create an appetite for change and to support and guide people through uncertainty.

A message from Gavin Wright, Head of HR

This is a real opportunity for staff to develop their potential to become our senior managers of the future. This programme aims to encourage innovative, outside of the box/blue sky thinking; question and challenge individuals about current practices in order to improve services and systems and assist individuals to consider new or different ways of working. Through Hampshire Own Grown, leadership and management capacity will be enhanced and with the growth of these skills, excellent working practices will be embedded and shared across the organisation and cross departmental, collaborative working will become a natural way of working both internally and externally as we identify, develop and refine our services.

Working with like-minded individuals and sharing best practice, the programme will allow practical learning using real life situations - working on real challenges and problem solving real issues will ensure added value back in the workplace.

The Hampshire Own Grown programme links to Individual Performance Planning (IPP) and for those individuals who demonstrate the desire for management and leadership, this programme should become part of a personal development portfolio, linked to their future development plan. Hampshire Own Grown is about developing key skill sets, and participants will receive feedback on leadership skills, political understanding and process working, all areas that are critical strengths for a Senior Manager working for Hampshire County Council. The development and feedback gained from the programme will significantly contribute to preparing individuals for future key internal positions as succession planning is developed across the organisation.

The origin of the programme

Councillor Ken Thornber, the leader of the County Council, initiated the idea of Hampshire Own Grown, to help recruit, retain and develop Hampshire County Council’s leaders of the future. The Future Leaders and Graduate programme challenge individuals from middle and lower management to discover new ways of thinking, different ways of problem solving and develop fresh ideas to challenge established ways of working. These are the skills that senior County Council managers of the future will need to be effective leaders & drive performance to ensure Hampshire County Council's services and processes best meet the needs of the people of Hampshire

A message from Andrew Smith, Chief Executive of Hampshire County Council

Developing new leadership qualities is not a single one off task. Using your experience, different tools and judgement will all help to develop and establish leadership talent. This programme is an opportunity for you to develop your skills and potential to become a senior manager/leader in the future.

The benefits of effective leadership are well proven, along with its importance to an organisation and its future. One of the biggest tasks that the County Council faces is developing capacity in its managers for the future. This programme provides a significant contribution to that process.