Location:
Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham Brindley Place
Start Date:
18/11/2026
Cost:
£2,400.00 (VAT included) per delegate
About This Programme
How we “show up at work” significantly impacts our organisations—both intentionally positive and unintentionally negative ways. Increasing our awareness of this enables us to enhance our leadership effectiveness, well-being, authenticity, and the impact of the teams we lead.
Leading Authentically is a groundbreaking senior leadership development programme designed specifically for senior leaders in the further education sector. Rooted in systems psychodynamics and drawing on the expertise of sector leaders, psychoanalysts, and organisational consultants, this programme equips participants to understand themselves better, their leadership, and their organisations.
Over the course of five in-person workshops, delegates engage in experiential learning and reflection, embarking on a transformative journey to elevate their leadership practice and foster healthier, more authentic teams.
Who Is The Programme For?
This programme has been designed for senior leaders in the education sector, including CEOs, Principals, Deputies, and those responsible for service delivery in educational organisations. To maintain a comfortable environment for open discussion, we usually allow only one participant per institution.
Programme Features
- Five In-Person Workshops
Deep-dive, interactive face-to-face sessions exploring unconscious dynamics, leadership identity, organisational change, inclusion, and more—rooted in systems psychodynamics and practical leadership applications. Group Networking Opportunities
Collaborative spaces throughout the programme to connect with fellow senior leaders across the education sector, fostering peer learning, shared insights, and lasting professional relationships.
Programme Details
Price: £2,400 (VAT included) per delegate
- Module One – What is Really Going on in Organisations: An Introduction to the Unconscious:
Wednesday 20th January 2027 - Module Two – Why Change is so Difficult and What Change Can Evoke in us:
Wednesday 3rd February 2027 - Module Three – How is Oedipus Relevant to me:
Wednesday 10th March 2027 - Module Four: Identity – Who am I Anyway and How do I Bring all Competing Parts of Myself Together:
Wednesday 28 April 2027 - Module Five – Final Programme Conference and Reflections:
Wednesday 26 May 2027
Your Programme Team
Paul Wakeling
Paul has over twenty years of experience as a senior leader, including as Principal/CEO of a successful college. He now works across sectors supporting organisational improvement. Paul attended ‘Chaos, Conflict and Crisis’ at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and, in return, embedded ideas of adaptive leadership into his practice. He has worked as an Associate for Warwick Business School, contributing to programmes for the Cabinet Office. He has published his ideas on leadership and learning in Wakeling, P. & Mackay, F. Leading & Learning in Challenging Circumstances in Challenging Professional Learning, ed. Crowley, S. Oxon. Routledge, 2014.
Sarah Miller
Sarah is an Organisational Consultant and Psychoanalyst with over twenty years’ experience supporting senior leaders across a wide range of sectors. She is a Visiting Consultant at INSEAD and part of the Faculty for their flagship coaching programme. Sarah leads the Foundation and Pre-Foundation courses at the British Psychoanalytic Association and also teaches on the organisation’s full Psychoanalytic Training as a seminar leader. With particular expertise in organisational dynamics, she has held Director and staff roles at various Group Relations Conferences. Her published work explores themes such as leadership and laterality in the workplace.
Gain Professional Recognition
As a programme graduate, you will be eligible to apply for Associate Membership of CIFE, gaining:
- Formal recognition of your leadership journey and achievements
- Professional status with the UK’s only Chartered body for technical and professional Further Education
- Access to a prestigious network of sector leaders and peers committed to advancing excellence in the further education sector.
Make a Booking by Credit Card
To make a booking, select the number of places required, add them to your cart and you will be directed to our online checkout to pay by credit card.
If you require assistance in completing your online booking, please contact Jack.Moriarty@fea.co.uk
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