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New Leading for Inclusion with Cultural Intelligence 2-Day Masterclass Programme

How do I book a place?

Simply click on the button below, fill in the brief form and we will get in touch with you to discuss how you can secure a place for yourself or colleagues. If you are a public sector employee we are able to issue invoices and your place will be confirmed once we receive a Purchase Order Number

Do I get a discount if we book more than one place?

Yes, discounts are available and reduced prices for Community or Voluntary organisations. Place the number of participants you are looking to book and we will contact you directly with our best price.

Programme Details

Dates:
28 & 29 June 2023

Participants will receive:

Masterclass

Two full day virtual Masterclass facilitation sessions

Coaching

One Coaching/Debriefing Session with an Above Difference Expert Coach and facilitator

Interactive Leadership Development Hubs

Two Change and Develop Leadership Hubs

Ongoing Phone Support

Expert phone support

Leadership Network

Membership of the Above Difference #toseeandhearyou Leadership Network

Investment:
£1,500 +VAT per participant

Are you a leader who wants to lead difference differently in your organisation? Do you want to enhance the narrative around the Inclusion agenda and learn a new set of skills, capabilities and approaches that will help you lead and engage your workforce in creating a real sense of belonging and Inclusion in your organisation where everyone feels valued, seen and heard?​

We believe that when leaders lead well, they commit to leading all people well and we also believe everyone deserves to be well led. At Above Difference we are committed to supporting leaders by helping them find the “how” and enabling them to create inclusive spaces where all feel valued and well led.

We have developed a unique and acclaimed model that takes leaders on a journey of growth, development and change, introducing new models, evidence-based approaches that challenge and changing the traditional approaches to addressing the Inclusion agenda. Our aim is to develop leaders who are able to take a fresh and robust leadership approach and deploy their proven leadership and change management skills to deliver real, strategic and sustainable change for their workforce and stakeholders where it counts.

Drawing on proven leadership theories including Maxwell Leadership, John Kotter, Dave Livermore and Schein, this programme challenges leaders to view Inclusion as a leadership challenge echoing Lord Messenger’s recommendations that ‘EDI should become a universal indicator of how the system respects and values its workforce, and the provision of an inclusive and fair culture should become a key metric by which leadership at all levels is judged’.

The Programme – A Journey to Intentionally Inclusive Leadership

Our two-day Masterclass Programme will differ from anything you have attended before around Inclusion. You will be introduced to the Above Difference Model of “Leading Inclusively with Cultural Intelligence” – a unique mix of academic and evidence-based tools and strategies that will transform your ability to lead and facilitate Inclusive and Compassionate workplaces for those you lead and serve. 

Our model draws on the best of Cultural Intelligence, Change Management, Strength Value-Based, and Inclusive Leadership to create a unique programme that will challenge and change how you engage as a leader in the EDI space. It will equip you with new leadership tools while building your resilience and confidence in dealing with the challenges of leading diverse teams and organisations. Participants will:

  • Take a 360° Cultural Intelligence Assessment to help you understand how your cultural values, preferences, and norms shape how you engage with Difference.
  • Learn how to enhance and develop their Cultural Intelligence and work and relate more effectively across diverse teams and contexts.
  • Learn how to develop, enhance and deploy their Inclusive leadership skills and create inclusive cultures in their workplaces and teams.
  • Gain an in-depth understanding of the importance of a clearly defined Change Management approach to delivering sustainable change in the EDI agenda, drawing on Kotter’s change model.
  • Develop their understanding of Value-Based leadership and why understanding the “WHY’ matters to leaders leading Inclusion.

Participants who undertake this programme will walk away with:

  • A two-day virtual Masterclass hosted by Jennifer Izekor (Jennifer has been described by Dave Livermore , Author ofLeading with Cultural Intelligence as probably one of the best Cultural Intelligence facilitators in the World. She is a CQ fellow, A Maxwell Leadership Coach and an Advanced CQ facilitator).
  • A follow up “ Inclusive Leadership Coaching/Mentoring session” to support participants in developing their own Personal Leadership Action Plan.
  • Two follow on virtual half day Design, Innovate and Implement sessions providing an opportunity to apply learning form the Masterclass.
  • Access to the Above Difference Leaders For Inclusion Network.
“Was so impressed by our programme yesterday – a much richer approach to equality and diversity in the workplace than I’d ever seen before. Thank you Above Difference!”
“Highly recommend this programme to trust exec boards – learning about inclusivity together and also how we can create the environment for change through our leadership and the privilege we have in the posts we hold”
C. Alexander, NHS Barts Health Board Member
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Manage HR Magazine Award 2022

NEWS

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

“It all rises and falls with leadership, Leaders create the culture of organizations and those cultures determine how included people feel”

Jennifer Izekor, Founder and CEO of Above Difference, speaks with ManageHR Magazine about the Above Difference difference and how equipping leaders and organizations with the “how” is critical to achieving a visible impact on the lives of the people they work with.

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Create and Lead Inclusive Change Management

'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:

1

Values Based Leadership for Inclusion

2

Strength Based Leadership for Inclusion

3

Culturally Intelligent Leadership for Inclusion

4

Change Management Leadership for Inclusion

5

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