As part of the next steps in my leadership development, I am very keen to take part in the American Express Leadership Academy. This programme is designed specifically for leaders in the non-profit space who are intentionally striving to be better equipped to respond adaptively to challenges and keep going in the face of adversity – in turn becoming resilient changemakers.
The programme is not classroom-orientated but rooted in the real world. It combines hands-on, experiential learning with intimate access to high-calibre leaders and real-life leadership challenges, meaning it provides real-world strategies that can be applied quickly to our organization.
The experience will provide me with several important learnings:
Heightened self-awareness and confidence: Impactful and changemaking leadership goes hand-in-hand with a strong sense of self, and this programme will provide me with practical tools to develop the skills, mindset and knowledge to lead with conscientious, inclusive impact.
Increased levels of resilience & grit: Taking change forward is tough, not only because you need to bring people with you but because you need to manage yourself in the process, and this programme will enable me to develop greater resolve and stamina for leading change, particularly in times of uncertainty.
Better connection to audiences: Storytelling is essential in trying to find ways to connect with people at a deeper more human level, and this programme will help me to develop a greater ability to connect with others using the power of storytelling.
A broadened understanding of key issues within our sector, and how to address them: As our landscape evolves and changes, we need to adapt quickly – and that starts from the top. This programme will provide me with a deeper understanding of key challenges we face, especially as it enables new opportunities to connect and share stories with other like-minded leaders, thus deepening my understanding and equipping me with the knowledge to address issues successfully.
Also, Common Purpose themselves are a leading global leadership development organization of both in-person and online programmes. With over 30 years of experience, they have worked with over 110,000 alumni in that time across the world, and with some of the world’s leading organizations to develop people who can cross these cultural, social, and institutional boundaries.
If you’d like more information they would be happy to set up some time for us all.