top of page
s-l1200_edited.jpg

Team Workshops

None of us is as smart as all of us"

Ken Blanchard

Building on my experience as Course Director for the GEM Emerging Leaders Programme, I offer a structured and outcome-focused approach to group learning.

Heritage Thinking Differently: Team Workshops

​​Heritage Thinking Differently delivers both in-person and online workshops designed to support teams in developing confidence, insight and practical skills. Group learning is inherently collaborative: participants work together towards shared objectives, strengthening communication, problem-solving and decision-making while learning from the perspectives of others.

Working in groups also helps to build stronger, more trusting relationships. The diversity within a group introduces new approaches, challenges assumptions and reduces the risk of ‘groupthink’. This leads to more thoughtful contributions, better ownership of ideas and more effective engagement than is typically achieved through traditional, lecture-style formats.

Participants are more likely to take part actively, explore ideas with greater openness and translate shared learning into meaningful change within their organisations.

A Proven Approach to Leadership
bd5dca5b-9b09-4b0b-8efc-d2fd85187378_edi
a4cd941f-d4e9-4c1a-955a-66f029f590a3_edi

​​My Leadership Development Programme draws on a tested and respected methodology developed over many years by Dr Nick Winterbotham. This foundation, combined with my own experience in leadership, governance and organisational development, ensures a supportive, reflective and practical learning environment for emerging and established leaders alike.

My Training and Leadership Credentials

My experience in delivering training sessions dates back to the early 1990s when I was employed as a Training Advisor. During this period, I obtained the Institute of Personnel and Development Certificate in Training and Development. 

I have worked within the museum sector for more than 25 years and have held a wide range of leadership roles. 

In recent years, my most prominent leadership positions have included five years as Manager of Framework Knitters Museum, where my work was recognised with a European Award and a Best in Heritage Laureate, followed by seven years as Executive Director of Creswell Crags Museum and Archaeological Park. The latter role included responsibility for 50 staff and annual revenue of over £1 million. Both organisations required strong and decisive leadership to guide them through periods of transition, development and growth.

More recently, I have worked as a heritage consultant specialising in leadership training, mentoring, ten-year visioning programmes and commercial reviews. My focus is on ensuring museums and their staff are more resilient and focused on their potential and on audience engagement. In addition, I am employed by Group for Education in Museums (GEM) as Course Director for the Emerging Leaders Programme.

Paul brought his knowledge, experience and expertise to creating a tremendously valuable course. Paul was a generous and considered leader, creating an environment in which all participants felt welcome to contribute, question and analyse the course content. The course was structured and paced in a manner that offered time for discussion and reflection, as well as some very creative teaching, whilst maximising use of time available. The concepts being taught were thought provoking and valuable, and Paul's use of industry examples added additional layers of insight. Paul quickly created group cohesion, whilst ensuring that every course participant had the opportunity to contribute in their chosen way.

During the course Paul offered mentoring, which he kindly extended beyond the end of the course. Paul's mentoring/coaching style was holistic, considering all challenges and opportunities, both personal and professional. Paul's insightful, reflective, and informative approach to these mentoring session was tremendously valuable. He generously shared his professional knowledge and offered personalised career advice and support. This was tremendously valuable.

I feel very lucky to have been taught by Paul on the course and to have had access to his generous, informative and valuable mentoring through the scheme. I would recommend Paul as both a course Director and a mentor.

Katy Iliffe de la Riviere, Atchivist & Development Officer, Sedbergh School, GEM Emerging Leaders Course participant.

The leadership training course I deliver, together with the visioning programme, were originally devised by Dr Nick Winterbotham. My approach builds upon his established methodology while updating and refining it through contemporary practice and experience. Alongside my consultancy work, I currently serve as part-time Operations Director for the redevelopment of Bennerley Viaduct and the creation of a new visitor centre.

In a voluntary capacity, I sit on the Oversight Board for Museum Development Midlands, having previously held a similar role for Museum Development East Midlands. I am also Chair of Trustees for Wirksworth Arts Festival. Investing time in volunteering forms an important part of my commitment to personal and professional development.

Throughout this period, I have remained committed to investing in my own leadership development. In 2016, I enrolled on the Museum Resilient Leadership Programme, a 12-month Arts Council England funded personal development course. Since completing the programme, I have attended Be the Change, the annual leadership retreat for museum professionals, each year. I have also continued to strengthen my mentoring skills through achieving a Stage 2 qualification in counselling.

The Leadership Programme

The leadership programme I currently deliver on behalf of GEM offers a varied and engaging combination of traditional teaching, small group activities, case studies, facilitated discussion, diagnostic exercises, problem-solving activities, practical applications, guest speakers and reflective practice. In addition, I provide individual mentoring sessions which enable participants to explore their own professional challenges in greater depth.

The formal sessions explore a broad range of themes and subjects. I also have several additional pre-prepared sessions which can be incorporated within my existing structure to meet specific organisational or cohort requirements. Furthermore, I am always willing to adjust the programme to reflect the emerging needs of the cohort.

My current programme includes sessions focused on:

  • Examples of effective leadership

  • Leadership styles

  • Directional leadership, including upwards, downwards and sideways leadership

  • Governance

  • Serving diverse stakeholders

  • Team development

  • The perfection curve

  • Transformational processes

  • The Berkley Change Formula

  • Emotional Intelligence

  • Challenging Conversations

  • Delivering Feedback

  • Personal drivers and values

  • Iceberg Theory

  • Leadership CVs

  • Mentoring & Coaching

  • Active Listening

  • Motivation and persuasion

  • Effectivie Meetings

  • Action learning sets

  • Values and currencies

  • Imposter syndrome

  • Financial focus

  • Dashboards and metrics

  • Organisational performance

 

I encourage all participants to share learning and build networks and encourage the use of WhatsApp groups and LinkedIn recommendations. Post programme I offer participants a free mentoring session to enable them to delve deeper into any areas of the programme to reinforce learning or provide clarity.

 “The Emerging Leadership course came at a difficult time for me professionally, while undergoing redundancy. The skills and frameworks I acquired were not only invaluable in navigating the situation but have continued to reap dividends as I utilise them in my new leadership role.

Particular highlights include the in person day, which was held at Young Y&A for my course, allowing us all to connect in person. I also cannot recommend enough Paul’s teaching style which focused on reframing one’s mindset and professional self-empowerment. His offer of an additional individual mentorship meeting was extremely generous and personally helpful.”

Francesca Vine, Museum Manager, Ware Museum, GEM Emerging Leaders Course participant

I can also tailor bespoke programmes to meet your specific requirements or those of the cohort. I am confident in designing programmes which provide a balanced mixture of learning opportunities addressing all the areas referenced within your brief.

Report sheets disseminated at the end of each session will provide me with feedback to better respond to the needs of the group. In addition, I can work with yourself to develop certification for this programme to help participants strengthen their CVs.

Insurance & Fees

I currently hold both Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance.

I'm always happy to have a conversation about scope and fees where appropriate. These are always open to negotiation.

bottom of page