We are really excited that two of our managers here at Orwell Housing Association, Dawn Edwards and Mike Penman have recently completed a leadership development programme – Eastern Leaders, Fit for Future run by Greenacre, and found it an inspirational and valuable experience.
The programme is designed for emerging leaders in the housing sector, and encourages participants to think creatively and innovatively, and consider and reflect on their individual leadership styles to develop the confidence and resilience required of future leaders.
“The programme has provided me with a valuable opportunity to reflect upon and update my leadership approach.” Said Dawn, Orwell’s Development Manager. She continued “I gained insight into the wider aspects, current priorities and best practice in delivering housing services in the Eastern region. Most beneficial of all it enabled me to connect with like-minded housing professionals from other organisations and other specialisms during a difficult time; creating supportive relationships which I hope will last for years to come.”
Property and Construction Manager, Mike Penman said: “The reason I took part was because it offered CPD (Continued Professional Development), network development and helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses with a chance to positively develop on both.
It was a great way to review your own management style, understand different approaches and watch others at similar levels to establish how they do things. It also offers the ability to collaborate to deliver a project and draws out skills necessary to create and deliver a project from start to finish.”
Greenacre commented: “There was a strong emphasis on regional collaboration and innovation, with well researched solutions to identified problems and a clear understanding of the changed environment and how communities and organisations are evolving post-Covid."
The programme culminated in a final session when participants came together (virtually) to deliver collaborative group presentations to a panel, who scrutinised and questioned the approach to identifying problems and risk, and how the groups considered and proposed solutions. This enabled participants to demonstrate the knowledge and skills gained throughout the programme, which Dawn and Mike bring back to Orwell to help shape our future and support other aspiring leaders.
