Boosting Middle Leaders is a practical leadership development programme run in collaboration with the Local Government Association and designed to strengthen both the capacity of, and connection between, councillors and officers from across the country. Now in its fourth cohort, it brings political and professional leaders together to build trust, test new ways of working, and develop the confidence and skills needed to lead change across systems. Its ultimate aim is to equip participants to deliver better outcomes for their communities – together.
What did the work set out to achieve?
The programme set out to equip councillors and officers to work together with greater trust and collaboration, while building the confidence and skills required to navigate the complex realities of local government leadership. At its heart are the real system challenges participants are working on – the issues that do not have straightforward solutions and which demand political acumen, professional expertise and a willingness to work across traditional boundaries. The programme creates space to explore these real-life challenges and apply practical tools and approaches that support progress in complex environments. A particular focus is placed on leading across roles and functions, unlocking outcomes that no single part of the system could achieve alone.
Who participated?
The programme has been designed for both elected members and senior officers working in local government. Officers have included Heads of Service, Assistant Directors and Directors, while councillor participants have typically been Cabinet members or committee chairs. It is particularly suited to those navigating complexity and working at the intersection of political, professional and community leadership and cohorts typically have around 25 participants.
Features of the programme
Boosting Middle Leaders is delivered through a blend of face-to-face sessions, online learning and both independent and group-based work. At the heart of the experience are the real-world challenges that participants bring with them, providing an immediate opportunity to apply new tools and approaches in practice.
In its most recent form, the programme has been enhanced with the development of three new elements:
- The first is the Game Changer Index, a tool that explores how individuals are energised to make an impact. Each participant completes the index, receives a one-to-one review with an accredited professional, and continues to work with their insights throughout the programme.
- The creation of personalised development plans. At the application stage, participants identify aspects of their leadership they want to amplify and areas they wish to strengthen. With sponsorship from their line manager and coaching from members of the faculty, these plans are anchored in real practice and tangible change.
- Finally, at the opening residential, participants collectively agree the leadership capabilities that will shape the programme, ensuring it remains responsive to the needs of the group while still being underpinned by shared capability goals.
What impact did the programme have?
The most recent cohort rated the programme 9.5 out of 10 on average. Participants consistently described it as confidence-building, eye-opening and highly practical. Many spoke of the value of working alongside both councillors and officers, deepening their understanding of one another’s roles and creating a shared sense of purpose.
“The programme built my confidence in approaching difficult challenges and I learned a huge amount from hearing other perspectives. One of the biggest benefits was having both officers and councillors learning together. It created a real sense of shared objectives and a better understanding of each other’s roles.” – Officer participant
“This course really helped me clarify what I wanted to achieve and gave me the tools I needed to do it. I feel like I’m a better councillor and a better person as a result.” – Member participant
To find out more about Boosting Middle Leaders or about our wider work with politicians and officers, please email info@leadershipcentre.org.uk