Innovator's Mindset
Vicky Woodjetts, Organisation Development Manager at Halton and Warrington Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "I can be negative in my approach and we don't work in an environment where it is okay to get things wrong. We need to acknowledge the 'try' and celebrate the good work that has been done, as opposed to focusing on the problems. Being positive requires constant prodding.
My team's innovations have come from trying to provide the same quality learning experience, but remotely. There are new tools that we would never have thought of pre-pandemic, but you don't get it right first time.
I really liked the diversity of professionals on the programme and how we had completely different views on the same topic. It opened up new pockets of the health system that I didn't know about".
Strategies for Spread and Adoption
Mental health in the workplace
Innovative leaders
Creative leaders: Taking a (re)freshed approach
Jackie Kerr, Primary Care and System Leadership Development Co-ordinator at NEYLA, said: “I am very task driven and focused on getting the job done. However, after attending the first two workshops, I realised not only the importance of stepping back and allowing yourself some “thinking” time but it also reminded me of the familiar saying: 'If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got' and how easy it is to fall into this trap.
Natalie Latham, the workshop’s facilitator is very knowledgeable and engaging. Participants have been introduced to various models and tools and then given the opportunity to discuss and apply these in breakout sessions. The workshops have been very well received and I look forward to learning more about how to be more creative and think differently.”
The Coaching Academy was commissioned by the NHS North East and Yorkshire Leadership Academy (NEYLA) to deliver “Creative Leaders”, a series of four virtual bite-size workshops for health and care leaders at all levels, anywhere in the country, to learn about and apply creative leadership tactics to post-pandemic renewal and recovery challenges. The programme combined engaging personal reflection, interactive workshops, group coaching and an opportunity to collaborate with other leaders through an online community of practice.
Coaching for aspiring leaders
Helping people from protected groups get a seat at the board table
"The future I envision is one where we can change the dynamics of traditional boards, better represent the world we live in, and demonstrate that diverse boards are much more than a check-box exercise and a real source of corporate strength,” said Natasha Odita, Workforce Programme Manager/Strategic Workforce Lead at Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, and a Merseyside resident.
"I’ve had a very diverse career path and I know I have a lot to offer as a NED. This programme has provided me with a community of practice where we can grow and achieve our aspirations together. It has given me confidence to know I am not alone. I also value being provided with space to clearly think about my strengths, and undercover strengths I didn’t realise I had and how to maximise them.”
To help people like Natasha see this vision become reality, NHS England and Improvement North West commissioned the Coaching Academy to develop a leadership development coaching programme in Cheshire and Merseyside to support people who identify with protected groups to take the next step in their career by becoming a non-executive director or board chair in health and care.
The focus on this level of leadership was because of the potential to have a ‘trickle-down’ effect on recruitment from protected groups at all other levels and make a significant impact to how whole organisations engage with both staff and service users who are members of protected groups. The Coaching Academy was pleased to have over 50 people come forward for the 10 spaces available in the programme. The programme featured: group discussions to strengthen professional networks and break down barriers, one-to-one coaching, a leadership assessment and guest NED speakers from local heathcare boards sharing experience and advice. Because of the level of interest and quality of applications, a second cohort is planned for early in 2023 with members of the first cohort helping shape 'phase 2' content.
