An Above Difference Leading Inclusively with Cultural Intelligence Programme for CapitalMidwife
Welcome,
My name is Jennifer Izekor and I am the CEO and Founder of Above Difference Limited, one of the most innovative and fastest rising Inclusive Leadership and Cultural Intelligence consultancies and Top 10 Inclusion & Diversity Providers in the UK today.
Our approach is unique. We believe Inclusion is about everyone or it is about no-one so we work across the whole inclusion agenda. We want to enable leaders to lead all their people well, irrespective of where they come from or what specific barriers or challenges they may face.
We think Inclusion is a leadership challenge and on this programme our aim will be to create psychologically safe spaces in which you can develop a range of evidence-based tools, techniques, skills and capabilities to help you lead all your people well and be at the forefront of providing services that make all people feel valued, seen and heard.
For us it’s never about a single interaction or training session, its about a journey of personal and professional transformation that helps you become a better leader for all, while also building your resilience and professional toolbox.
We are really excited to be working with CapitalMidwife and to supporting Kate’s commitment and vision to deliver inclusive leadership within the organisation and through this, provide enhanced services for the customers and communities you serve.
Below you will find some details about the programme and your journey as a participant. Please do not hesitate to contact us at adprogrammes@abovedifference.com if you have any questions and I really look forward to meeting you.
Jennifer
Dear Colleagues,
London is one of the most diverse cities in the world and in maternity we are proud of that diversity and celebrate the richness and improvement that this brings to our services. However, we also know from many reports that we aren’t always getting care right for everyone. Only last year we saw at least four reports where trans people and Black and Asian women and birthing people described care that left them feeling disempowered, unheard and at risk. This coupled with the outcomes described in the MBRRACE reports we are all so familiar with, are the spur to us to really work at ensuring that our services are personalised and safe for everyone.
And everyone includes staff. We have all seen the stark disparities in careers that the WRES data shows, that means we all have to reflect and think about what our contribution is to a fair and just workplace for all. Furthermore, our staff have had a torrid few years, and many from world majority backgrounds have experienced that same disempowerment and discrimination that our service users have that has left them questioning if the NHS is the right place for them.
I know that the leaders in London want to act and make their services and work places the best that they can be. And many of you have sought to implement great changes in your services already. But also it is important to acknowledge that knowing what to do and where to start can feel daunting and at times overwhelming. That shouldn’t mean we don’t step up to the challenge!
CapitalMidwife has already begun the work we need to think about with the fellowship that you have all supported and the anti-racism framework. So the tools are starting to be there to use, and what we need now is further development of maternity leadership to be compassionate, focused and strong to help deliver the changes that I know we all want to see.
The Above Difference programme has been commissioned to support us all do just that; to reflect, learn and move to the action that will improve our services for everyone involved in maternity care.
Kate Brintworth
Kate Brintworth, Regional Chief Midwife for London
NHS England
Introduction
Why have you been invited to be part of this programme – what is it about?
The Above Difference ‘Leading Inclusively with Cultural Intelligence’ leadership programme has been described by Wessex Academic Health Science as;
“A valuable and commissionable intervention to support senior health system leaders enhance their cultural awareness. It effected a change in participants’ understanding, a change in their personal approach to leadership, and there were indications this would be sustained into the future.”
This unique programme for CapitalMidwife will offer participants an opportunity to:
- Develop your Cultural Intelligence, Inclusive Leadership skills and capabilities thereby enhancing your ability to engage, lead and relate with diverse peers, colleagues, patients and communities
- Gain a deeper understanding of how your own preferences and biases influence your leadership style and be introduced to a range of proven tools, techniques to help you lead and facilitate inclusive and compassionate workplaces and services
- Explore principles of a value driven, strength-based approach to Inclusive Leadership while learning how to create positive dialogues around inclusion, manage difficult conversations and create teams and departments where all feel valued, seen and heard
Programme Approach
I’ve done Cultural Awareness Programmes before , what’s different about this one?
This programme is a bespoke one developed by the Award-Winning Above Difference. It draws together 4 Models:
- Cultural Intelligence(CQ) which is the capability to work and relate effectively across diverse cultural contexts
- Value Driven/Strengths based Leadership which focuses on values, behaviour and attitudes while building internal resilience
- Inclusive Leadership
- Change Leadership
These carefully curated elements are designed to help you achieve your full potential as a leader and an individual. We will explore issues of leadership, influence , culture and personal effectiveness. Together you will learn new principles but also have opportunities through the workshops to apply these to specific challenges for inclusion in your workplace.
Programme Approach:
Your programme will consist of:
The Journey
At Above Difference we have developed a learner pathway transformational journey that is designed to equip you with new skills and capabilities and then offer you the opportunity to practice ‘flexing your CQ and Inclusive Leadership Skills’ in a safe learning environment. These are our design, dream and apply’ workshops which will help you become real change makers. The journey will differ slightly for each programme but at its heart is a tried and tested pathway that is designed to go beyond a ‘training programme’ and create a unique journey that will challenge, change and transform each participant.
Your Participant Journey
Introduce & Define
You are invited to attend a briefing session with Jennifer Izekor CEO and Programme Design and Facilitator, on 25th April 2023. You will hear about the programme and be able to ask questions about your engagement and journey.
Following this, you will be sent a link so you can take a CQ assessment and do some prework prior to the programme. You will also receive a Participant Personal Log Folder.
Equip & Upskill
You will be invited to attend our two-days, in-person Inclusive Leadership with Cultural Intelligence Masterclass on 10th May and 15th June.
Dream & Apply and Design & Innovate
These elements will be delivered as three half day Change Implementation virtual interactive workshops on 4th July, 6th July and 13th July (one workshop for each cohort). You will be working together on applying your learning to a very specific challenge.
Change Consultancy Support Programmes x 4
These sessions will offer a follow on opportunity to reflect on learning, strategies and plans developed and to put accountability, implementation and support structures in place for the future. Dates tbc.
Programme Schedule
Please find below a schedule of our sessions together
25th April 2023
Introduce & Define Virtual Webinar
Meeting ID: 353 856 076 842
Passcode: 4wkwZZ
10th May & 15th June 2023
2-Day in-person Masterclass in London
4th July 2023
Dream & Apply Virtual Workshop
6th July 2023
Design and Innovate Virtual Workshop
13th July
Design and Innovate Virtual Workshop
TBC 2023 (4 sessions)
Change Consultancy Support Programme
Your workshops will be facilitated by Jennifer izekor. CEO and Founder of Above Difference Limited and or an Above Difference Advanced Facilitator.
“Incredibly insightful session. It has completely opened my eyes in new ways, I feel far more confident to advocate for others and respectfully challenge inequity both inside and outside of work. My passions have been ignited, I feel stronger and more competent in my role as a result of these sessions”.
The Above Difference Programme Team
Lead Facilitator
Jennifer Izekor
Founder and CEO, Above Difference
jennifer.izekor@abovedifference.com
Senior Associate Facilitator
Andy Bennett QPM
Executive Leadership Coach
andypbennett@abovedifference.com
Operations
Kehinde Alisha Rees
Director of Operations
alisha.rees@abovedifference.com
Programme Projects & Contracts Lead
Flora Dele-Ojo
Programme Delivery Manager
flora.dele-ojo@abovedifference.com
Corporate Relations
Neyma Mildred Ali
Corporate Relations Manager
neyma.ali@abovedifference.com