CASE STUDY
Supporting career development of under-represented groups
Our ELEVATE development programme provides support to women and people from under-represented groups who may face underlying barriers to their career progression and development, and therefore require additional support.
The programme aims to achieve greater diversity in talent and leadership by providing tailored support to participants and encouraging involvement in a range of learning activities including externally-run workshops, personal stretch projects, coaching or mentoring, job shadowing, e-learning modules, and platforms to network with likeminded, motivated individuals.
The aim is to identify participants’ strengths, help them overcome any challenges they face, and provide them with opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge, and behaviours to prepare them for the next steps in their career.
The programme also establishes a network of peers across the organization with whom they can seek support, engage in debate, and share encouragement, as well as leverage shared experiences to create a more powerful, collective voice.
‘What has struck me is almost everyone I've engaged with [on the programme] has been looking even more carefully at developing depth within their own sphere of influence and control, and how they would be able to be a better leader.’
Fathima Dada
Managing Director of the Education Division, and Programme Sponsor
Following the end of the first ELEVATE programme in July last year, 67% of the participants felt ready for next level roles and 40% of the participants had a change in role and responsibilities. Managers of the participants saw a clear shift in leadership behaviours, a display of strategic thinking and entrepreneurial mindset, and a significant increase in confidence amongst the participants.
We also launched an internal interview series called ELEVATEd, where programme graduates and current participants can reflect on their experiences, share how they have been empowered to develop themselves, and encourage others to take part in the programme in the future.
Here’s what some of our participants had to say:
‘ELEVATE provides opportunities to acquire leadership skills, behaviours, expertise, and knowledge to prepare for a career move when the right opportunity comes. The various elements - the occupational personality questionnaire, the stretch project, coaching or mentoring, the 'Thinking Environment' approach - help in charting out a development plan and redefining behaviour pattern.’
Vinata Lal
Head of Social Sciences (Product), India
‘ELEVATE has helped me to learn how to be truly confident, rather than just acting like I'm confident. There's been a multitude of factors and experiences on ELEVATE which have contributed to that, but mainly it's been about learning to let go of my self-doubt in favour of self-reflection.’
Sophia Matthew
Senior Media Manager, UK
‘I would definitely recommend ELEVATE. I think it creates a rare opportunity to connect and get to know a cohort of colleagues you wouldn't normally interact with from your daily work. This was a very interesting experience for me to learn from other people who have diverse skill sets and approaches to problem-solving.’
Sijia Wang
Communications and Public Affairs Manager, China
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