September 2022 - Above Difference

'Leading & Engaging Strategically for Inclusion with Cultural Intelligence'

March to November 2023

For Chairs, CEO’s, Directors and Assistant Directors in the Public Sector

An Above Difference Executive Leadership Advanced Growth Journey

Develop your capabilities as a Culturally Intelligent and Intentionally Inclusive Leader. Lead and facilitate inclusive organisations and networks where inclusion works for everyone.

Programme Details

Dates:
15 & 16 March 2023 (in-person)

May Date TBC (virtual)

July Date TBC (virtual)

September Date TBC (virtual)

November Date TBC (virtual)

Format:
Hybrid modular programme of six, full-day sessions delivered over six months

Investment:
£4,995 +VAT

Enrol by:
End January 2023 to secure your place on this exclusive cohort

I developed this programme to help leaders move from “what’s wrong” to “how we make it right” when it comes to the inclusion agenda. Come join me on a leadership transformation journey that will change the way you engage with the Inclusion agenda and show you how to #LeadDifferenceDifferently.

Programme Overview

Are you a leader who wants to lead difference differently? Do you want to enhance the narrative around the Inclusion agenda and learn how to use your leadership skills to engage your workforce in creating a real sense of belonging and Inclusion in your organization where everyone feels valued, seen and heard?

When leaders lead well, they lead all people well and we believe everyone deserves to be well led and supported to be the very best in their workplaces. At Above Difference we are committed to equipping leaders with a unique set of skills and capabilities that enable them to create inclusive spaces where all feel valued.

Our Programme is an Inclusive leadership growth journey, designed to create leaders who are equipped to transform their organization’s culture and intentionally work to identify and remove the systematic barriers that make anyone feel ‘less than’.

Incorporating Inclusive Leadership with Cultural Intelligence, proven principles of change management and strength-based leadership, this is much more than an EDI programme.

Join Jennifer for this unique experience and come find out why it has been described by one leader as “the best training experience I have had in 20 years of working as a leader in the NHS.”

Who it is aimed at?

Our unique ‘Leading & Engaging Strategically for Inclusion with Cultural Intelligence’ Programme is specifically aimed at public sector leaders with responsibility for leading large organisations, systems and diverse teams across the public sector landscape.

It will be particularly useful for Chairs, CEO’s, Directors and Assistant Directors.

Designed specifically to wrap around the needs of busy senior leaders this programme is delivered over six months in a hybrid modular structure.

Modules

The programme will focus on five key modules:

Values Based Leadership for Inclusion

Strength Based Leadership for Inclusion

Culturally Intelligent Leadership for Inclusion

Change Management Leadership for Inclusion

Leadership that Influences and Engages for Inclusion

The Programme Journey

Above Difference has developed a unique learning pathway for leaders that involves a number of activities and programme elements delivered over a six-month period.

Our programme is designed to teach, equip, challenge, and engage with participants hearing from internationally renowned experts as well as learning from ongoing case studies.

Masterclasses

Attend Cultural Intelligence and Inclusive Leadership Masterclasses and Masterminds

Coaching

Receive one-to-one coaching from Cultural Intelligence and Leadership Certified experts

Leadership Experts

Learn from Maxwell Leadership certified leadership coaches and learn what it takes to “shift the dial” transforming your landscape into a more equitable and inclusive workplace

Interactive Leadership Development Hubs

Engage in Cultural Intelligence and Inclusive Leadership Labs with peers to design and implement new solutions designed to tear down the barriers to inclusion for the workforce and community outcomes

Leadership Network

Form part of a unique Inclusive Leaders Collective designed to support, enable and empower participants as they implement their learning in their organisations

Our Approach to Creating Inclusive Cultural Change

Participants will be supported to develop a robust approach to shifting the dial for the Inclusion agenda, identifying and breaking down systematic barriers to inclusion and discrimination.

This is an innovative approach to equipping leaders with a unique set of skills, knowledge and capabilities delivered by a faculty of experts each chosen specifically by Above Difference to provide a new perspective on leading for inclusion, while challenging and changing organizational cultures.

This programme has been designed to challenge but enable participants to:

Move beyond empathetic ‘allyship’ to strategic and proactive leadership of the agenda across their organisations

Be well equipped to redirect their existing skills and leadership expertise while being introduced to worldwide perspectives and expertise on creating and leading Inclusive organisations

Reflect on the strategic leadership of the Inclusion agenda in their organisations

Align and integrate inclusive leadership into their organisation’s commercial and leadership strategies

Examine their strategic leadership of the Inclusion agenda through the lens of tried and tested leadership and organisational development perspectives

Develp a unique set of skills and expertise that will enable them to facilitate and lead the strategic delivery of sustainable and effective changes to the lived experiences of their workforce, customers and stakeholders

Upon completion of the programme, leaders will walk away with:

A set of unique leadership tools and practices to drive forward the Inclusion, Belonging and Wellbeing agenda in your organizations and lead your leadership teams through a deep reaching culture change management journey

The ability to use your enhanced Cultural Intelligence and Inclusive leadership skills to go beyond traditional EDI approaches to identify and remove barriers to inclusion and full engagement for individuals with protected characteristics across the workforce, stakeholders, and communities

Ongoing access to a comprehensive package of worldwide, evidence-based leadership resources to support your ongoing professional development as a Culturally Intelligent and Inclusive Leaders equipped to add value to your leaders and workforce

An extended network of leaders across the UK who are learning to lead difference differently, creating real and lasting change in their organization and committed to sharing good practice and making Inclusive workplaces and services a reality in your workplace and the communities you serve

What our partners say...

“The Above Difference approach aligns to all the strategic aims of the organisation and provides the delivery vehicle to achieve sustainable cultural improvement.”

Tim Couchman, Head of EDI, ULHT and NHS WRES Expert

“Above Difference shone a light on a way of working, valuing difference and setting out a process in which we would be supported and guided to identify and make the changes needed.”

“Perhaps most importantly a trusted partner that gets it, that wants us to succeed and is bought into the benefits for our staff and communities as much as we are. Developing a system-wide solution and changing the way that we deliver HR services.”

“Our project is a game changer.”

Jaki Lowe, Director for People and Inclusion, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

About Jennifer

Jennifer Izekor is an Advanced Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Trainer and Facilitator and also a Certified Leadership Coach, Trainer, and Speaker with the John Maxwell Team.

She is the Founder and Leader of Above Difference Limited a fast-rising new organisation in the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion landscape supporting leaders and managers across the public sector to embrace Culturally Intelligent (CQ) and Inclusive Leadership as a key to delivering Inclusive workspaces where all are valued and diversity is leveraged to produce innovative and inclusive services.

Jennifer brings a wealth of public sector leadership experience as a Senior Civil Servant, Public Appointee, CEO, Trustee, and Public Sector NED to her facilitation and training. This and her lived-in experiences as a BAME Woman Leader provides her with depth, knowledge, and understanding of the challenges for Inclusion and Diversity facing senior leaders of all backgrounds in the public sector.

Jennifer is an exciting, innovative and engaging speaker and facilitator and has been described by Professor David Livermore, President of the Cultural Intelligence Institute USA as ‘one of the best CQ trainers and facilitators on the planet’ and a public sector Leader recently described the Above Difference ‘Leading Inclusively With Cultural Intelligence Leadership Masterclass’ as “the single best training, development, reflection time I have had in over a decade”.

In 2022 Above Difference was awarded ‘Top Diversity and Inclusion Services Provider in the UK’ by ManageHR Magazine.

“Above Difference, led by Jennifer Izekor, is doing some of the most innovative, effective work in building inclusive, culturally intelligent organisations.”

David Livermore, Thought Leader in Cultural Intelligence and former CEO of The Cultural Intelligence Centre

Above Difference Awarded Top 10 Diversity & Inclusion Provider UK 2022, ManageHR Magazine