How We Help Leaders Lead with Confidence
At Simia Business Development, we believe that great leadership is not taught in theory alone. It is shaped through experience, self-awareness and the courage to adapt. Our recent leadership training programme delivered over two immersive sessions for a leading financial institution illustrates the power of combining practical leadership tools with experiential learning to equip managers with lasting skills for change, performance and teamwork.
This bespoke leadership development journey was designed to strengthen both coaching capability and change leadership across two levels: senior management and emerging leaders. Delivered over a three-month period, the programme included two tailored sessions titled Coaching for Performance and Leading Through Change, offering structured time and space for meaningful reflection, experimentation and application.
Developing Leadership Skills Through Coaching Conversations
In the first workshop, participants explored how effective coaching builds trust, clarity and accountability across teams. Using practical frameworks such as GROW and SPIKES, both senior and junior managers learnt how to navigate developmental conversations with confidence. These leadership training courses were not only rich in techniques but also firmly grounded in the real challenges leaders face, such as holding performance discussions, balancing directive and coaching styles, and managing expectations in evolving systems.
Interactive activities such as goal mapping and structured scenario labs brought the frameworks to life. Participants practised designing open ended questions, addressing tough feedback situations with empathy, and aligning their approach with organisational performance goals. The day closed with a powerful board break activity where leaders made personal commitments to a more intentional and coaching led leadership style.
Leading Through Change with Clarity and Empathy
Three months later, participants reconvened for a deeper dive into leadership behaviours during change. This second session shifted focus from individual coaching skills to organisational change leadership. Participants engaged with the SCARF model to examine the emotional impact of change, identify resistance patterns, and co-create strategies for maintaining psychological safety and motivation.
Incorporating LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, the session encouraged hands-on thinking to explore personal leadership journeys, motivators and adaptive strategies. Participants reflected on what effective leadership looks like during uncertainty, adjusted their models in real time based on live scenarios, and developed action plans with peer accountability.
These immersive activities helped translate theory into practice and provided a psychologically safe space for teams to discuss organisational culture, emotional triggers and the importance of communication in maintaining team momentum.
Results that Reflect Real Growth
The staggered structure of the programme allowed time for experimentation and reflection between the two sessions. Participant feedback highlighted increased confidence, improved clarity and a shared understanding of what leadership looks like in action.
Key outcomes included:
- Increased coaching capacity. Managers reported stronger skills in guiding developmental conversations using GROW and SPIKES. They felt better equipped to manage difficult discussions and support team members more intentionally.
- Stronger goal clarity. Leaders demonstrated a clearer understanding of how to set and align individual and team goals within the new performance management structure.
- Commitment to change leadership. Especially at the senior level, there was a noticeable shift towards modelling the behaviours needed to lead change with empathy and clarity.
- Improved communication and teamwork. Participants developed a deeper awareness of how to build trust and drive collaboration across functions, even when facing complex or shifting organisational demands.
Addressing Common Leadership Challenges
As with any meaningful leadership training, this programme surfaced not only strengths but also challenges. Managers shared concerns about morale, over-reliance on quantitative KPIs and inconsistencies in goal setting across teams. Junior leaders raised issues around managing stretch, while senior leaders questioned system adaptability and cross-department alignment.
These insights provided a valuable roadmap for further development. Recommendations included embedding coaching into daily routines, supporting cross-functional dialogue, continuing senior leader engagement and sustaining momentum through structured action planning.
Creating Impact with Leadership Training Courses that Work
What made this programme effective was its blend of structure and flexibility, combining recognised coaching and leadership frameworks with experiential, hands-on activities. Simia’s approach to training for managers and leadership development goes beyond the textbook. It is tailored, interactive and grounded in the realities of modern workplaces.
Whether supporting established managers or emerging leaders, our management training courses aim to build leadership skills that are practical, relevant and impactful. We help organisations move from intention to action, building leadership capacity that drives both performance and culture.
Ready to Strengthen Your Leadership Team?
Simia Business Development delivers bespoke leadership training programmes designed to meet the needs of dynamic organisations. From teamwork and coaching conversations to leading through change, we equip leaders with tools and mindsets for lasting impact.
If you are looking for leadership training courses or management training that delivers results, we would love to explore how we can support your leadership goals. Get in touch to find out more about our programmes or to co-create a solution that fits your organisation’s unique needs.