New for Spring 2016, two all-day workshops from IFLAS

New for this year, we are excited to be offering two brand new IFLAS workshops, to be held in Ambleside to coincide with the completion of our Robert Kennedy College MBA/MA student residential modules.

Firstly we have:

Creating Partnerships for Sustainable Development - Dr David Murphy

A one day workshop on ‘Creating Partnerships for Sustainable Development’ will be delivered by the Deputy Director of the Institute for Leadership & Sustainability (IFLAS), Dr David F Murphy on Saturday 21 May at the University of Cumbria, Ambleside.

The workshop will offer participants a range of tools, frameworks, scenarios and cases to enhance knowledge and skills to develop and implement effective multi-stakeholder partnerships linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The day will include refreshments and a buffet lunch.

Dr David Murphy was formerly with the UN System Staff College and has vast international experience in training senior executives. In 1997 Dr Murphy and Jem Bendell co-wrote the first book on sustainability partnerships. David is the course leader for the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Leadership.

To book on this one day workshop, please use our online shop

Then, on the 25^th June 2016, we will have:

Presentation Master – Jo Chaffer

 A one day course to master presenting effectively to any audience. Develop the insights and mind-set to become the presenter you want to be; adopt tactics, perfect the skills, confidence and know how to make this happen. This bespoke course is highly experiential – present, practice, critique, learn and grow.

Course Content

Presentation Master’s foundations are a simple, robust but challenging strategy and tool kit for audience analysis and goal setting, fine-tuning our critical thinking skills. Knowing what our audience needs, their objectives and ours we can create a key message and outline frame.

We go on to identify the key components of effective presenting – our building blocks for the rest of the course.
The next step is to generate content that meets the audiences’ needs and organise this into a coherent, cohesive structure.  Opening and closing in a memorable, effective manner are crucial to this.
Throughout the course we play and practise with a range of non-verbal and vocal skills and techniques.

Finally we consider how to work with notes efficiently and the range of visual aids available to us.

The course ends with a presentation from each participant critically reviewed by the group.
All presentations and content will be made available to participants after the course along with other online support and resources.

 

Your trainer: Jo Chaffer

Part of the IFLAS team, Jo also works globally as Development Trainer, Coach and Consultant with private, public and third sector organisations. Jo brings theory into practice and draws on a wide repertoire of skills and experiences. She has supported the professional development of people from C-suite Executives, research professionals to budding entrepreneurs.

Jo was previously the Lead Trainer for the British Council’s Researcher Connect – a global professional development program for researchers and academics. Researcher Connect is now supported by the Newton Fund and rolled out in more than 15 countries.
Previous Clients include: BMW; Philip Morris; Vishal Group; Thamserku group; Barclays; Deutsche Bank; Higher Education Commission, Pakistan; UNDP; UNHCR; Qatar Foundation; IIT Mumbai; Ministry of Higher Education, Uzbekistan.

For more information www.korakoru.com or LinkedIn

Again, to purchase a ticket for this one day workshop, see our online shop

These workshops will also provide an opportunity for networking between our overseas MBA/MA students, and a range of local participants working in different sectors. The cost for either of these workshops is £149 per person.

 

For a full overview of all IFLAS events and courses, please see our website, follow us on Twitter (@iflasinfo) or join us on Facebook

Enquire Now for a New MA in Leadership Development

Do you work with future leaders?

Do you want to learn the latest approaches for enabling leadership learning?

Do you want to contribute to a movement of professionals transforming economies towards fairness and sustainability?

Do you want to study a Masters degree that can fit around your existing career, with intensive week-long residentials and online study?

Do you like the idea of those residentials being in the most beautiful part of the UK and sharing time with top leadership development practitioners?

We are now accepting applications for the new MA in Sustainable Leadership Development, which commences with a residential in September 2016.

The Masters builds on the successful PGC in Sustainable Leadership, which attracts students from organisations including PwC, Impact International, Boston Consulting Group, Earthwatch, BBC and Forum for the Future.

Here is what some students on that course have said:
"This course was profound and life-changing. It has informed my practice, relationships – even my way of being."
"This was the most in-depth, conscious, and profound course I have ever participated in."
"This first module has been the most powerful formal education experience of my life. The range of experts, both internal and external, brought a truly inter-disciplinary approach to exploring the challenges of leadership and sustainability."

To arrange a time for Programme Leader Tony Randall to call you to discuss your needs, please email tony.randall@cumbria.ac.uk

For more detailed information on the course or to apply immediately visit the course page.

Leading Wellbeing - a new one-day event in April, and a must for sustainability professionals

Janine John

 

 

It doesn't seem like five minutes ago that I was attending the Leading Wellbeing Festival in the fabulous setting of the grounds at Brathay Trust, just outside Ambleside. In fact, it was July last year!

The event was organised by teams at Brathay Trust and IFLAS (The Institute for Leadership and Sustainability) at the University of Cumbria, and saw leadership, wellbeing and communications professionals from across the world descend on the Lake District for three days of thought-provoking discussion, debate and reflective activity. I met and chatted with a huge number of fascinating people, and the best bit was that it was happening on my own door step!

 

  Panel discussion at the Leading Wellbeing Research Festival 2015 Photo credit: No Routes Found

 

Because of the work IFLAS has been doing since it was founded in 2012, Ambleside is fast becoming known as an innovative hub for learning, discussion and enquiry around sustainable leadership, and it regularly brings together students and sustainability professionals from all over the world. If you live and work in the area, you should consider going along to some of its open lectures, which are all free and listed online. It's great to hear from IFLAS that another wellbeing festival is planned for 2017, but you don't even have to wait that long!  

 On 9 April 2016, IFLAS has organised an interim event 'Leading Wellbeing: From Theory to Practice', which will take place at the university campus in Ambleside. This one-day event (with additional informal activities taking place in the Lakes on the Sunday, if you'd like to take part) is designed as both a follow-up for attendees of last year's festival, and as a place for like-minded individuals to gather and explore the complex challenges of social, environmental and economic sustainability through 'sustainable leadership' (and if you're not entirely sure what 'sustainable leadership' entails, I've been given a definition):

'ways of relating that promote change that is mutually beneficial, for individuals, communities, organisations, and the world at large'.

 If you didn't attend last year's festival, don't worry, as I am told this event is to take on a completely new format and will appeal to a broad range of people. You'll be interested in attending if you are involved in coaching, leadership training, or are a sustainable leader or wellbeing practitioner yourself. You may simply have a professional or personal interest in any of these issues, as I have - I'm particularly interested in the communication of sustainability and environmental issues.

The day is designed to provide space and the energy for conversations on community, local and global thinking, and will be hosted using the 'Open Space' format, in which participants are encouraged to bring their own unique perceptions and solutions - the idea is that through a creative process of participation and dialogue, new connections and knowledge will emerge.

I am told that Open Space is a technique successfully used on all scales - apparently it is as effective within international networks of NGOs as it is for small groups exploring local practices such as biodiversity protection and complementary currencies. There was a session devoted to Open Space at last year's festival, and I can clearly see the benefits of allowing participants to set the agenda rather than just an 'elite' of speakers (as a fellow participant succinctly put it!). You will have the option of offering your own workshop or activity or, if you don't feel comfortable doing so, you could instead pose a question for discussion, or join in debating the ideas offered by others.

Some of the workshops on offer so far include an interactive game on Sustainable Money (Professor Jem Bendell, IFLAS), a talk about 'Wellbeing in the Workplace' (Richard Little, Impact International) and a walk in the surrounding landscape, using poetry as a tool for thinking (Jamie McPhee, Nigel Dykes and Georgina Wingfield-Hayes, University of Cumbria). Although optional, the day will be rounded off with a locally-sourced dinner from Ambleside's Nick's Kitchen, and live music and dancing.

The cost for the whole day is just £25 (£20 for the day activities only), so very good value for money. For more details about the event, and for booking, visit IFLAS online - you can also read more about how OpenSpace works, and the sessions already suggested. I hope to see you there!

 

 

Janine is a freelance communications consultant at Blooming Good Communications, based in Windermere, and is particularly interested in the communication of environmental and sustainability issues. You can find her on Twitter using @janinemjohn.

 

Click Here for Growth: Is Digital Cash a Solution to Recession? London Lecture April 13th

An evening lecture in London, 530pm April 13th, by the Founder of the Positive Money campaign

With the impending ‘death of cash’ and the rise of digital currencies (such as Bitcoin), there are strong arguments for central banks to start issuing “digital cash” – an electronic version of notes and coins. Done well, such digital cash might create additional purchasing power and stimulate the sluggish economy. But this raises a number of questions: how would central banks get new digital cash into the economy, and how would the public use it? Would there be any impact – positive or negative – on financial stability?

Ben Dyson is the co-author of Modernising Money: Why our monetary system is broken and how it can be fixed. He argues that a design flaw in the banking system, which allows banks to effectively create more than 97% of the money that our economy runs on, is responsible for the financial crisis, unaffordable housing and the government’s reliance on unsustainable debt-fuelled growth. The proposals were recently featured in the Financial Times. He is the founder and Head of Research at Positive Money, a campaign for a banking system that works for society.  More information at http://www.positivemoney.org


5pm to 7pm, 13th April 2016 (talk starts 530pm)
London Campus of the University of Cumbria
58 E India Dock Rd, London E14 6JE
Nearest DLR station: Westferry Road
Map

Places are limited so book ahead via Martin.Pyrah@cumbria.ac.uk

If lost on the day SMS: 07584191972

This lecture organised by IFLAS is given as part of the residential of the Certificate of Achievement in Sustainable Exchange and also provides an opportunity for participants in the Money and Society free online course to meet eachother.

For the IFLAS Open Lectures in Cumbria see here. 

Join us April 9 for a "Leading Wellbeing" Event

Leading Wellbeing: from theory to practice is just one month away! We look forward to reconnecting during the weekend of April 9th and 10th and feeding what was kindled on the shores of Windermere last July.

Open Space Event

At our open space event, anyone can host a session, or just come along and enjoy what is on offer from 930 to 530! Sessions already on offer include:

Leadership for change: who, me? with Charles Ainger, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

Sustainable money with Prof. Jem Bendell, IFLAS (University of Cumbria) and Matthew Slater (Global Ecovillage Network)

Yoga dance with Sarah Pike

Wellbeing in the workplace with Richard Little (Impact International)

Renewable energy in Cumbria with Mark Cropper (Ellergreen Hydro)

Music in your nature with Amy Boud

Poetry & seeing, who’s eyes are you looking through? with Georgia Wingfield-Hayes, Jamie McPhee & Nigel Dykes (University of Cumbria)

Places are limited and booking is essential.

The Party!

In the evening we will gather at Ambleside Parish Centre at 6.00, for a delicious dinner all from locally sourced, seasonal food from the fabulous Nick’s Kitchen. Then there will be live music from Don’t Tell Suzy and Uncle Carbunkle, who will get us all dancing with their funky blues vibe!

Tickets:

Open Space £20

Evening party £15

Or both for just £25!

Booking is essential, so please buy a ticket now.

Many participants will be staying on to go hiking or museum-visiting together on the Sunday 10th April, so please arrange your weekend to allow for you to join that if you so wish (weather very unpredictable). Arrangements will be self-organised and discussed on the Saturday. Please arrange your own accommodation. If you would like advice on accommodation please email martin.pyrah@cumbria.ac.uk. Also tell Martin if you are arriving on the Friday night, as we may be able to connect you with others.

You can extend this invite to friends and colleagues who you would like to connect with the spirit of Leading Wellbeing. You can use our Facebook group to tell people you are coming and invite others https://www.facebook.com/leadingwellbeing

Unfortunately no children’s programme is offered for this smaller gathering. As the next full Leading Wellbeing Research Festival will be next year, joining us next month is a great way to stay engaged.

To recap:

Date 9th April, 2016

Open Space: 9.30 - 17.30 at the University of Cumbria, Charlotte Mason Building, Ambleside Campus, off Low Nook lane, Ambleside, Cumbria.

Evening party: 18.00 - Midnight at the Parish Centre, Vicarage Road, Ambleside (food at 19.00)

If lost on the day, call Georgia on 07971 631699

If you would like to study leadership development in the way we explored it at the Festival, have a look at our new MA in Sustainable Leadership Development and do ask tony.randall@cumbria.ac.uk if you have questions.

We look forward to seeing you in Ambleside.

Leander Bindewald,

Georgia Wingfield-Hayes,

Katie Karr and

Jem Bendell with the team at www.iflas.info

Looking forward to Spring with the IFLAS Open Lecture series

As the snow clings defiantly to the fell tops, and the black ice covers the morning commute, it's time to turn thoughts to (slightly) warmer times to come, and find out what the Institute for Leadership and Sustainability at the University of Cumbria has to offer as another series of free Open Lectures takes shape.

First up with the daffodils on the 15th March we have Lynne Franks: How Big Data and Intuitive Creativity Combines in Today’s Cutting Edge Business Messaging

Lynne is considered one of the founders of modern day PR and communications, has launched WYZE, a new consultancy with one of the world’s top data scientists. Using their very different skills sets, they are advising major corporations on engagement and  relationship building with consumers, staff and other stake-holders, based on values-led business strategy.

Lynne will share how the WYZE Consultancy is combining teams of behavioural psychologists, story tellers, artists, data analysts, wellbeing experts and community engagement experts to design cutting edge business strategy.

Lynne will also share her new circular leadership system together with her ‘Me, We, Us’ philosophy, the basis of her new book, The POD (Power on Demand) Effect. Lynne believes that using traditional story telling methods combined with modern technology, is creating awareness of positive change on a personal, community and societal level that resonates on a national and global level.

On April 12th, our second speaker is Mark Drewell: Creating relevant and profitable organisations fit for the 21st Century - insights from a global inquiry into purpose driven business

 

Mark spent the past 18 months conducting a global inquiry amongst executives and thought leaders from businesses around the world on what is coming next - purpose led business. He will share insight from this inquiry in which it was clear that very few organisations successful in the 20th century believe they are set to thrive over the long run in the 21st Century. And that the challenge to work out what to do about it is engaging senior leaders everywhere. 

Mark, MA (Oxon) FRSA, is a global thought and practice leader at the interface between business and society. He is a Senior partner in the Stockholm-based ForeSight Group, he is also the former Chief Executive and Chair of the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative, a global coalition of 100 companies and business schools developing the next generation of globally responsible business leaders.
Mark spent 20 years in South Africa where for a decade he was the head of Corporate Affairs for Barloworld and has extensive business experience as a change agent and catalyst for responsible business. He lives in the UK and serves on the advisory boards of the Institute For Leadership and Sustainability at the University of Cumbria as well as the Business School of Lausanne in Switzerland and the Wuppertal Institute’s climate and renewable energy initiative in Berlin.

Then onto May, specifically the 17th, and just in time for the climax of the football season we have head of the Liverpool Football Club Foundation Andrea Cooper: The power of sport to make a positive contribution to the world

Andrea will share her views on how Liverpool FC and sport more widely can make a positive contribution to communities, and how she is progressing that opportunity in her role as Head of the LFC Foundation. 
Andrea joined Liverpool FC Foundation in 2014 bringing a wealth of charity and community experience.
Andrea was brought up in Liverpool and has operated as a trustee on three charities including six years with Street League. Before joining Liverpool FC Foundation, Andrea was Chief Executive of UpRising - a youth leadership development organisation, and has other business and operational experience including work on various major projects at the BBC. Andrea has overall responsibility for all aspects of the Liverpool FC Foundation including the strategic direction, operations and fundraising.  

Then finally for this series, and hopefully coinciding with the soaring temperatures (we can all hope!) on the longest day (21st June) we have Erica Martin: International labour standards and the promotion of sustainable global supply chains

Erica is a lawyer specializing in international labour standards. She has worked at the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations agency focused on the world of work, since 2009. Originally from Canada, Erica is currently based at ILO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and her advisory work has taken her all over the world. Her work focuses on the international legal instruments related to child labour, forced labour, labour inspection and occupational safety and health, with a focus on special complaints procedures.

The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights describe the responsibility of business enterprises to respect internationally recognized human rights, which include at a minimum the principles concerning fundamental rights set out in the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

The talk will examine the fundamental principles and rights at work (the eradication of child labour, the elimination of forced labour, equality of opportunity and treatment, and freedom of association), and the tripartite development of international labour standards. It will explore the implications of these standards for business and their role in corporate social responsibility initiatives, as well as the increase of labour clauses in trade agreements and the impact of these provisions on enterprises and workers.

So as you can see, we have a veritable smorgasbord of fascinating speakers for you to enjoy for absolutely no charge whatsoever. All we ask is that you come armed with an inquisitive mind and a bucket-load of questions to get the most from your evening.

All the Open Lectures will take place in the Percival Lecture Theatre on the Ambleside campus, and will begin at approximately 5.30pm each evening. You will also get to meet and mingle with our overseas MBA students who will be on the second day of their five-day intensive residential module run in collaboration with the Robert Kennedy College in Zurich.

To book a place on any of these free Open Lectures, please contact us with your name and company/organisation details to iflas@cumbria.ac.uk

(All attendees will be added to our database for future events unless you state otherwise)

To find out more about IFLAS, our future courses and events, visit our webpages on the University of Cumbria website, or follow us on our Twitter page @iflasinfo and Facebook

The Impasse in Leadership Scholarship

Books on leadership are flying off the shelves and managers are flying in to leadership courses around the world. Is this helping them, their organisations and wider society? Or might some of the advice and training do more harm than good?

More research on leadership is exposing some of the limiting assumptions of mainstream ideas and teaching on leadership and its development. This is coming to be known as “Critical Leadership Studies” (CLS).

IFLAS Founder, Professor Jem Bendell, presented a summary of CLS and what it could mean for non-Western scholarship and training at the Lead in Asia conference in Indonesia on Jan 21st. He wrote the paper with Richard Little of Impact International and Dr Neil Sutherland of Bristol Business School. 

You can download the pdf here: Leadership Impasse. Some of the leadership courses at IFLAS draw upon these ideas, including the PGC in Sustainable Leadership and the new MA in Sustainable Leadership Development. Feedback welcomed, especially via the Sustainable Leaders group on LinkedIn.