Lead at the next level
Is it ever too early to start developing leadership skills? The short answer is ‘no’, says Executive Career Coach Kim Vella.
‘It doesn’t matter whether you aspire to be the Prime Minister or are satisfied with a solid APS 5 or 6 position,’ says Kim. ‘Leadership skills in today’s work world are essential, especially with the Australian Government requiring leadership to be shown at every level.’
If you’re an APS 5 or 6 and don’t have anything in the pipeline for improving your core leadership skills, get cracking. To set your career on a strategic leadership plan, you need more than an occasional chat with colleagues over a coffee. You need more than a self-help book. You need more than reading the odd article on the Internet.
Dr Lisa Cowan, Senior Policy Researcher, in Victoria’s Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, signed up for Kim’s tailored, two-day ‘Leadership Essentials for APS5s and APS 6s’.
‘It was inspiring and gave me confidence,’ says Lisa, a content specialist who had just started in an acting policy position. ‘I wanted to broaden my skill sets to position myself to take on more generalised leadership roles. The course clarified the breadth of leadership skills and Kim helped me determine my strengths and how to build on them.’
Kim’s leadership essentials course is designed around the reality that today’s APS environment is complex. ‘The only constant is change,’ says Kim. ‘And the environment moves quickly so you need to be at the top of your game.’
The Leadership Essentials course is guaranteed to equip participants with the techniques needed to get to the next level. Kim works with participants to develop personal and practical action plans incorporating the strategies, tools and insights needed to lead, grow, flourish. As such, the course is built around:
- preparing you to grow beyond your current responsibilities
- teaching you how to lead and succeed in complex roles
- helping you develop awareness of your leadership style
- getting you ready for your next career move.
‘Kim’s evidence-based approach worked for me,’ says Lisa. ‘Kim did a great job in creating the right space and teaching us modern ways to think about leadership, all backed by evidence. I realised I was a good leader in the knowledge arena, having specialised in research, but I needed to learn to develop skills for leading people. The course really helped.
Another feature of the course, which Lisa describes as ‘powerful’, is the way Kim led participants through exercises on the styles and types of leadership. ‘It made me think differently,’ she says.
Dr Kim Vella is not just any career coach. She’s an Accredited Executive Coach who uses a down-to-earth and non-judgmental approach. Kim also gets what makes the APS tick, having worked in several professional leadership positions before starting her own business.
Kim guarantees that participants will walk away from this two-day workshop better and more agile leaders. Participants will be ready to inspire co-workers, staff and make their next career move with confidence.
The next Leadership Essentials for APS5s and APS 6s workshop is being held in Canberra on 16 and 17 May, 9am to 4.30pm. Participants receive a complimentary guide on building an amazing resume. Book today.
You can also subscribe to Kim’s newsletter, filled with useful information to help you achieve your goals. After signing up, you’ll receive the free ‘Balance of power’ e-checklist and the free e-publication ‘How to recover from perfectionism’.