This is one of the questions that James Morter, a partner at Hazlewoods, was considering when the company sought to put in place a new in-house training programme aimed at those with leadership aspirations and in leadership positions.

After speaking to others in the business, coaches and ICAEW, the Inspire training programme was born, closely aligned to ICAEW’s Developing Leadership in Practice (DLiP) programme. DLiP is aimed at helping participants develop, project and hone leadership qualities expected of someone in the role, or for new and aspiring partners. The DLiP training course is run over a four-month period at ICAEW, but can also be tailored as an in-house programme to meet the objectives of individual companies. With a number of Hazlewoods’ partners having previously completed DLiP, the company was familiar with the programme.

Hazlewoods already run a number of other training programmes in collaboration with ICAEW for their employees including a programme called Drive, a three-day tailored business development programme which includes sessions with business actors to rehearse client scenarios and coaching to overcome personal hurdles. Also, the talent development programme, which consists of seven course titles across the year for individuals in the firm to select as part of their skills and career development plans.

Morter says: “While we’ve always had a pretty sound appraisal process, and opportunities for individuals to talk with managers and partners, to meet other people in the business and to receive mentoring, I felt that more structure and direction was needed to help people see what’s possible and to give people space to think deeply about how they can make more of a difference.”

“We started by thinking about training, coaching and other activities that might help to achieve this, and felt that important aspects should include giving people a chance to get away from the business in a relaxed, thought-provoking setting, and to spend time with peers from different areas of the business, all with a view to promoting free thinking and challenge in a supportive environment. Structure and clarity were also felt to be important, to help people develop a real sense of purpose and direction.”

Similar to DLiP, the Inspire programme is pivoted around four practical workshops held off-site approximately a month apart. It also incorporates personal assessments, peer-to-peer learning and one-to-one coaching.

“Crucially, there's time between each session for people to reflect and maybe get together as peers and talk with managers and sponsoring partners,” explains Morter. “Also, within those gaps, there are one-on-one coaching sessions, which are a really important part of the programme and something which will be a new experience for most delegates. The coaching aspects have added quite a lot to the effectiveness from an individual's perspective."

Rhiannon Hooper, an associate partner in the business solutions team at Hazlewoods, who attended the programme in 2022, says the one-on-one coaching conversations helped her nail a presentation. “We’d probably only had one or two Inspire sessions by then. It gave me a lot of confidence… but what it gave me more than anything was direction. I was able to articulate where I wanted the team to go, where I wanted to be and how I as a leader fitted in.”

Reflecting on the programme more broadly, Hooper adds: “I learnt quite a lot about myself, my leadership style, and acknowledging how your leadership style needs to change, that one style is not always appropriate. And also to be yourself, be authentic.”

“One of the big things for me was realising that in order to be effective in my leadership, I needed to give myself time to be a leader. So making sure that you're delegating properly, that you're clearing yourself to have that time to do things that you need to do to be a leader.”

The Inspire programme covers many aspects of leadership, including the skills needed to build and inspire teams, develop strategy and help grow a firm. 

Stephanie Hayman, a director in Hazlewoods’ health and care team, who also attended the programme in 2022, says: “It’s focused around finding out who you are as a leader, investigating the different types of leaders and how you see that portrayed in your leadership skills. We also looked at the differences in the people in your team and how best to incorporate that in the way you lead. It was interesting to consider different approaches that may not come comfortably to you, but that you have to adapt to based on the type of team that you are leading.”

Although each session has an agenda, they are interactive and flexible, focusing also on what participants want to cover and achieve individually. Hayman says: “This did transition as we opened up more avenues. I think my objectives at the very start were different to where I got to at the end, but that was a good thing.”

“One of the key takeaways was having confidence in myself as a leader: I have come to where I am through my own merit and I don't have to imitate those who have come before me and have led me in my career. I can be my own person. I thought that was quite a strong takeaway. Understanding the value of what you can add and give to people you’re leading.” 

Through the programme, participants from different teams and offices have developed valuable internal networks. Morter says: “One of the key things I've noticed and have heard through feedback is that most people have found it incredibly valuable to be in the same room as their peers, to be able to share experiences and challenges, test out ideas and stretch each other’s understanding of what could be possible.”

The programme has given many delegates an opportunity to help clarify and then articulate their ambitions or the direction they want to take their career, and the belief that these ambitions can be achieved, says Morter. “There are many who have since really embraced the ideas which were formed during the programme and have since made great strides in making things happen outside of their day job. I think this reflects the increased passion, enthusiasm and confidence in the delegates for which in part, I believe, the Inspire programme has been a catalyst." 

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