“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” – John F. Kennedy, former US President
We are often told that the greatest leaders are those who support others to approach challenges creatively, solve problems independently and reach their own leadership potential. But where do these great leaders go for support when they need it themselves?
In her book Leading So People Will Follow, popular Forbes blogger Erika Andersen writes that “great leaders don’t do it alone”, but find “friends for the journey” who will help them reflect and develop.
With this is mind, and in response to continued requests from within the sector, ACWA has developed a new program aimed at offering high-level peer support or ‘friends for the journey’ to CEOs and leaders in the child welfare and wellbeing service areas, particularly those providing early intervention, family preservation, permanency support, residential care and leaving care services.
The Reflective Practice for Leaders program is designed to provide a safe and confidential environment for the sharing of experience and learning to inform quality improvement in an ever-challenging, high-risk sector.
Bringing together the combined expertise of Roger West from WestWood Spice and Dr Wendy Foote, Deputy CEO of ACWA, this program will deliver a unique perspective that marries experience in program reviews and evaluations, strategic planning, NFP governance assessment and training, complex investigations and mediations, leadership coaching, consultation and forum facilitation with a deep understanding of the sector, its current challenges and the critical importance of collective problem-solving.
Through this program, Roger and Wendy will facilitate the provision of a dedicated collegiate space for leaders within the sector to:
- Contribute to continued professional development through peer support and learning
- Provide mutual support
- Participate in facilitated practice reflection and collective problem solving
- Develop greater leadership agility in a shifting environment
- Articulate ‘key learning’ that can be shared with the whole sector.
Spaces in this unique program are limited and expressions of interest are now being sought from established sector leaders wishing to access this new addition to ACWA/ CCWT’s suite of leadership development opportunities.
Entry into the program requires a commitment to attending five scheduled 4-hour sessions over a year and to maintaining a strict code of conduct, particularly in terms of confidentiality.
The sessions will be scheduled to coincide with other ACWA events where possible to enable regional participation, commencing with an initial 2-hour co-design workshop* on Tuesday, November 20.
* This workshop is free of charge and open to anyone who might be interested in joining the program with no obligation to commit. Please click here to let us know your level of interest in attending.
To enrol in the full program download an Expression of Interest form, or email sharon@acwa.asn.au for more information.
Further reading on leadership, reflection and the need for mutual support: