Empower – Blueprint – Collaboration – Inspiring women in Leeds to become leaders of the future

A new three-year project has been launched at Leeds Beckett to build the leadership skills, capabilities and opportunities of women in the Leeds City Region, whilst boosting the resilience and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In this post, Christine Robinson, Employment Hub Manager at Leeds Beckett, explains what the project means to her, and the importance of empowering women to lead, inspire and work together to succeed.

The #WECAN (Women Empowered through Coaching and Networking) project is now live! And we are looking to engage with businesses who want to access funded leadership and management training qualifications for their women employees.

The project aims to improve leadership skills, knowledge and capabilities. In turn, improving business performance through empowering and motivating staff and nurturing existing talent.

It is fair to say the project team is excited about its launch, inspired to make an impact for the business community and encouraged by the feedback and interest we have received.

I was asked last week to write down three words that summarise my thoughts on our new #WECAN project. And I came up the following: Empowering, Blueprint, and Collaboration.

Empowering ….women and businesses

In 2020 I embarked on - and successfully completed - an ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) level 5 in Coaching and Mentoring. I had not done any formal self-development for a while and had always been interested in the power of a good question.

The course is the best piece of self-development I have ever done. The training days, assignments and coaching practice pushed me well out of my comfort zone, challenged my self-awareness and increased my skills, knowledge and competency levels. I learnt the benefits of asking a good open question, of really listening and of taking the time to reflect on experiences and situations to ultimately make them better next time.

But it was so much more than the sum of these parts. I continue to feel amazed at my increase in confidence and level of empowerment. I know it adds value to decisions I make, conversations I have and projects I create and design.

To gain my qualification I coached three women who I came to know and admire. I loved supporting them in identifying their goals and empowering them to achieve them. The feedback they provided was very humbling. Who knew that a good question and really listening could be lifechanging, change attitudes and ultimately make them feel empowered?

Blueprint …for the future

I borrowed this word from a business I work with in Calderdale. And it has taken on a new meaning for me for this project. I have become fascinated in embedding a blueprint for businesses taking part in the project. This is a document that can communicate:

• What a good project looks like;
• What steps a business can take to deliver change and benefits;
• How businesses can be involved in shaping and discussing the research and sharing their experiences to create solutions.

I believe it will be the sharing of stories, techniques and trials that will turn this project blueprint into a Blueprint for the future. A model and guidance that helps women employees seek leadership roles. That creates diverse and inclusive workforces. That supports businesses to maximise their business performance, engagement and communication.

Collaboration … is key

I know the project component parts will be successful. Over 1000 women will improve their leadership knowledge, skills and confidence by attending events and training. Over 400 businesses will be supported to identify their leadership strengths, skills needs, and improve their overall performance. Our academics will gather data and undertake research to inform and move this agenda forward for our region.

But, it is the collaboration between these component elements which I am excited to explore, and which will create the regional added value. How can the stakeholders inform, shape and challenge the project delivery to ensure it is fit for purpose? How can the businesses, women and researchers share their wider stories and experiences? And how do they all work together to identify the quick path to success?

We have built in lots of opportunities to be part of surveys, to listen to the research and experiences and to share stories and successes.

My three words. Empower, Blueprint and Collaboration. What are your three words?

If you:

• Want your staff to feel empowered, to drive effective solutions and decisions and take part in ILM Coaching and Mentoring qualifications;
• Want to implement changes and share experiences to be part of developing the blueprint for the future;
• Want to be part of this collaborative piece of work for our region…

Find out more and get in touch now!

#WECAN is a three year £1.7 million project part funded by the European Social Fund. Led by Leeds Beckett University and working with a network of partners including Edge Hill University and Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber, the project aims to support the next generation of women leaders in the Leeds City Region by building their leadership skills, capabilities and opportunities.