Agile Leadership in Practice

Description

Leadership is a continuous craft that requires development as much as any other skill. In a digitally-enabled, user-centred and (possibly) agile environment, leadership looks different than what we have traditionally been taught.

This 4-days cohort based programme, spaced out over 4 weeks, helps established and emerging leaders to think about their leadership, gain tools and experience embedding user-centred and agile ways of working, and connect with other public sector leaders who are facing the same environment.

Please note: only register if you are able to make it to all four sessions. This is an intensive programme where you will be given time to reflect on your own leadership characteristics as well as participate in mock scenarios to apply your learning, before trying these out in your own environment. We will be introducing you to a number of techniques and aim to leave you with a toolkit to improve your leadership.

What are the benefits?

During the course will look at, amongst other things:

• What makes good leaders, what a positive environment looks like and how we can foster it
• Examine your personal identity and leadership style
• Understand the dynamics of team leadership, delegation, conflict and communication
• Leadership behaviours suited to agile working
• Help create the conditions to help your teams develop and thrive

Delivery format

The course is conducted in a blend of in-person and online learning over 4 weeks, every Wednesday, between 10.00am and 3.00pm:
• 12th November (Scottish Digital Academy room, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh)
• 19th November (Online)
• 26th November (Online)
• 3rd December (Scottish Digital Academy room, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh)

The course is a reflective as well as an interactive programme: you will be asked to reflect deeply on firmly held beliefs and behaviours, and to work collaboratively with the other attendees and discuss topics.

How might I benefit from the programme?

Feedback from previous cohorts:

‘I’ll certainly be more self-aware of my leadership approach and how i can influence others to more of an Agile approach/mindset’
‘Very useful to learn more about personal identity and how that impacts the leadership journey. I thought all content was useful.’
‘Really good content, engagement of the group was really helpful ‘
‘Course leaders were well informed, enthusiastic and created a safe space for me to learn’

Additional information

Access information:

The in-person days will take place in the ground-level SDA delivery room in Victoria Quay. The entry of the building and foyer is wheelchair accessible and step-free; the room is lit from ceiling with standard government building lighting, and has padded chairs at standard height. We are able to accommodate induction loops or any other additional access needs (e.g. different seating, dim lighting, large print format etc).

If you come from outwith Scottish Government, we will ask you for some details for a visitor pass for the in-person days, and you will be met by a member of the team at the front desk on the day.

The online days will be delivered on Teams and Mural. We have a comprehensive access and tech document that you will be sent in advance, to make sure you’re able to make most of the accessibility features of the software.

If you need additional access staff (e.g. notetakers, interpreters etc), we generally expect you to have them in place before joining the course. If you do not/cannot do this, please let us know in advance (minimum 2 weeks from start of the course) and we will discuss arranging it for you.

Who is it for?

We are prioritising applications from leaders of and in digital teams in the Scottish public sector from the following bands and above:

• C1 (Scottish Civil Service)
• grade 7 (civil service)
• Grade 10 (Local councils)
• Grade 9 (university grade points)
• Band 8 (NHS)

Nonetheless, we recognise that leadership can be found at any level and we will consider applications from individuals 1-2 levels below the ones detailed above.
You will need to have completed the courses, or have equivalent experience for longer than 6 months:
• Why agile?
• Introduction to Scrum