David Ross, Learning and Development Consultant of Impellus Ltd., an ILM approved leadership and management training provider talks through his typical week
Monday
My working week always starts off in our St Albans Head Office with a lively team meeting. It’s a great chance to catch up with the other consultants and those in the office.
We discuss feedback from the previous week’s courses and identify opportunities for the sales and marketing teams. The other consultants and I plan for the week ahead and pack up our cars with our course materials.
Today was also my six-monthly appraisal, so my line manager and I reviewed my recent performance and set objectives for the half year ahead.
Tuesday
Working from home in the morning I did the final preparation for the week’s courses.
Part of my role is to support ILM Award candidates and four have drafted assignments and sent them through to me. So I use the quiet time to review these and provide feedback. Where the assignments look good I respond by email and advise the candidate that they can submit their work. If I feel more is needed I tend to phone the candidate, talk through their draft and provide guidance.
I left home around 4pm and headed north on the M1 to stay overnight at the Thorpe Park Hotel - our regular Leeds training venue. My colleague, who has recently joined Impellus, and I chatted about tomorrow’s course delivery over a relaxed pint and supper.
Wednesday
I was in the training room at 7.30am checking the room layout and AV equipment as well as putting out course materials. This hour is crucial to guarantee we deliver a high quality experience for our clients. From 8.30am I welcomed the delegates, some of whom I’ve met on previous courses as they are already registered for our ILM Level 3 Award. I use this time to ensure everyone is comfortable and ready for the day ahead.
Between 9.30am and 4.30pm, my colleague observed as I delivered our ‘Managing Change and Innovation’ course to 20 managers from various industries.
After the course we quickly debriefed the day before hitting the roads and heading in different directions.
Thursday
My alarm sounded at 5.30am for the train into London. Our venue is the Kingsley Thistle Hotel where we train weekly, so know the staff well.
My colleague, Sandra, and I co-delivered ‘Organisational Leadership Skills’ which is a two day ILM Level 5 Award course with 13 senior managers attending from different sectors. After initial introductions, we kick off with an exercise debating the differences between leadership and management which really helps to break the ice.
A delicious lunch in the hotel gives delegates the chance to network and share common challenges. We also have the opportunity to answer any questions on the course content or the ILM Award.
I always say that my job is to get people to think. The delegates really benefit from having the time and space away from work to reflect on their approach.
With day one over and good connections made, I’m home by 6.15pm.
Friday
With no need for introductions, we quickly get stuck in on day two. Second days are always very participative as delegates build on the impact of day one.
At 5.15pm I am homebound on the train and have time to reflect on a rewarding week. We’ve delivered to a real mix of delegates and it’s very satisfying when they leave motivated and with practical tools to enhance their future leadership.
Positive feedback was received from all courses. In addition, I’ve supported ILM Award candidates whose submissions are now really taking shape. And to top it all, I’m looking forward to a round of golf in the Hertfordshire countryside tomorrow morning.
Article as it appeared in Leading Edge.
