York strategic leadership programme
Modules and delivery
The University of York’s flagship senior leaders programme is aimed at directors or senior leaders who aspire to shape organisational strategy and culture. Six days in person training, delivered onsite at the University of York campus in the historic city of York. The programme features a comprehensive 360-degree feedback assessment and dedicated 1:1 coaching.
- Module one: Strategic Leadership
This module explores the core pillars of leadership, values, and resilience. - Module two: Creating a Culture for Success
Explore the dynamics of organisational culture through Coyle’s ‘The Culture Code’. - Module three: The Dynamic Coach
Distinguishing coaching and mentoring; definitions, similarities and differences. - Module four: Supporting Your Workforce
Creating a culture that supports wellbeing. - Module five: Examining Drivers of Change
Grounded in University of York research, this session navigates the macro-political landscape and technological shifts. - Module six: Business Resilience
Master the principles of business resilience and systems thinking. - Module seven: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Explore creativity as a trainable process and leverage diverse perspectives to identify opportunities.
The resilience training was really good! It has been an immediate impact on how I work, how I perceive other people's communication and how I handle them. I am convinced that this training will make a difference.
Peter, York strategic leadership programme, Bytemark. See more case studies.
Learning outcomes
Throughout the programme, you will:
- Develop a clear understanding of your leadership style and learn how to adapt it to align decisions, behaviours, and strategic direction with organisational values and long-term goals.
- Analyse your organisation’s cultural environment and identify practical ways to positively influence culture, psychological safety, and followership through everyday leadership interactions.
- Apply key coaching and mentoring models to enhance performance, build capability in others, and integrate developmental conversations into your leadership practice.
- Evaluate how leadership behaviour, organisational systems, and inclusive practices impact wellbeing, and implement approaches that enable colleagues to thrive and remain motivated.
- Assess the external, technological, and workforce factors shaping the future of your organisation and utilise strategic frameworks to prepare for and engage with complex change.
- Apply systems thinking principles to identify risks, build organisational resilience, and lead effective responses to disruption through appropriate structures, communication, and cultural enablers.
- Identify opportunities for innovation, explore creative problem-solving techniques, and develop strategic approaches that create new value and support sustainable organisational growth.
Key benefits
- Develop a more confident and strategic leadership approach
You will develop a stronger understanding of their leadership style and learn how to align it with organisational goals, enabling more purposeful and informed decision-making. There will be multiple opportunities to enhance personal communication, influence, and impact in a supportive and high trust environment.
- Learn skills and tools to influence culture, wellbeing, and performance
The programme will provide evidence-based and psychologically informed frameworks and techniques that you can apply immediately to shape culture, support colleagues, and enhance communication and collaboration across teams.
- The capability to lead change and build organisational resilience
You will gain insights into emerging trends, technological disruption, risk, and resilience, equipping them to navigate complexity and maintain momentum during periods of transformation.
- Increased innovation and commercial awareness
You will learn structured methods for generating ideas, evaluating opportunities, and turning concepts into strategies that support growth and long-term value creation.
- Develop a powerful professional network
You will study alongside, and collaborate with, other senior participants from a range of industries and backgrounds. Gain alternative perspectives, and insights from a diverse group of leaders.
Course facilitators
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Alex Firmin, Course Director
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Holly Arden, Course Facilitator
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Dr Truzaar Dordi, Course Facilitator
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Accommodation
You are responsible for booking your own accommodation and arranging payment directly with the hotel of your choice.
A list of some hotel options in the city will be circulated to all delegates.
For further information about York, please visit the 'Visit York' website.
Who is this course for?
This course has been specifically designed for executives and senior leaders in large businesses and enterprises. Not only will you learn from our highly experienced facilitators but will also have the opportunity to network and grow with like-minded professionals.
Costs
Standard rate: £7500 per person
VAT is not payable. Course costs are fully inclusive of:
- Provision of course materials needed to complete the programme.
- Additional 1:1 coaching outside of modules.
- Refreshments and lunch for all in person modules.
- Farewell Course Dinner.
Payment is made online by Credit/Debit Card for instant payment and a guaranteed secured place on the course (please note the University of York does not accept American Express cards).