A group of the region's future business stars have emerged from their peer group cohort after two years of Vistage support.
The Emerging Leaders peer group assists companies with talent management and retention, supporting their future leaders with challenges, assisting with career development, the benefits reaped from staff retention and the engagement from a team who are working within an encouraged learning culture.
For future leaders, the curriculum led programme lifts rising stars to their next level of performance, developing them into high performing managers able to align to personal and company goals.
All managers with a bright path to becoming decision makers, the eight individuals to emerge from this latest graduating intake were signed up to the cohort by the directors of the companies they work for. It was facilitated by Andrew Marsh, chair of Vistage for the North East and Northumberland.
He said:”This was the first cohort in the North East for Emerging Leaders and it has been a great success. These individuals now have strengths in their own performance that will benefit their own careers and the organisations that they work for. We have covered a broad spectrum of business topics, had some impactful speakers and have created a tight knit support structure for each person.”
The cohort was made up from a range of business across the North East, and they focused on developing 12 core leadership competencies within four key areas: personal, interpersonal, team and organisational leadership. They each received mentorship and peer group encouragement, and some even achieved career advancements thanks to being in the programme. At the end of the two years, each of the cohort gave feedback and thanked Andrew for his support.
Oliver Warren of Excelpoint Limited is a Chief Operating Officer who is now having a bigger impact in his role in the senior leadership team.
He said:”There hasn’t been a bad speaker or a session where I haven’t taken something away. It has personally helped me grow as a leader and given me skills and techniques which I can apply at the right time in the business.”
Citizens Advice Gateshead had two of their managers in the cohort, John Pearson and Arianne G. Whilst progressing through the Emerging Leaders program, John was promoted to Contact Centre Manager and now looks after multiple national contracts and 120 staff. His CEO Alison Dunn arranged for the pair to join, as she is part of Vistage herself.
John said: “I started this process as a team leader and thanks to what I have learnt and putting it into practice I am now contact centre manager. I learn something at every session, but my favourite session was Martin Childs as it made me understand of the importance of self-awareness. I totally recommend joining the cohort if you are serious about progressing your career.”
Another organisation that had two members in the cohort is DurhamLane. Managing director, Jake Spence and Head of Service, Lee Maughan agree that the biggest impact is always having something to take away and implement. Jake said: “Being on the Emerging Leaders with Andrew has made me realise my strengths and have confidence but more importantly, has highlighted the areas where there is room for development. Which is pretty much everywhere! The speakers have been excellent and really make you think about how you can do things better or differently. The organisation is so impressed that they have signed two more of our team up for the next cohort in June.”
Penny Stewart, Business Director of Re:heat Renewable Technologies Ltd, has an allencompassing role in her company. Sometimes that can include firefighting and making sure that things happen. She said these skills have been sharpened by joining Emerging Leaders:
“I have looked forward to every monthly session, it has helped me look at my personable skills, and has given me time to be reflective, thinking about where I can take our own business. The personal benefits also benefit the business, so I recommend it to any managers who have some rough edges but aspire to be a better leader.”
Andrew, who looks after eight Vistage groups, as well as other peer groups across the UK, concluded: “Presenting the cohort with their certificates was bitter sweet. It has been very enjoyable working with this group and I am proud of their development. I hope some go onto another of my peer groups, in time. It is also exciting as a new cohort launches in June, with new challenges and a new dynamic! There are a few spaces left, so if you have a manager or SLT member who is ready for the next step, then get in touch to find out more.”