New People Leader Development

Are you a people leader for the first time? This can be one of the most difficult transitions in your career. You’ll have some great skills already, but as you move into a people leader role what will make you successful will be quite different. 
 
Through research and engagement, we’ve identified 6 development priorities that are the most important for new people leaders to focus on in the first 12 months of transition. These development priorities form the foundation of the programme and build on leadership characteristics from the Leadership Success Profile: Leadership Success Profile (LSP) [PDF, 153KB].

The 6 development priorities the programme focuses on are:  

Te tirohanga | Mindset
Te whakawhanaungatanga | Connect
Te Whāinga | Purpose
Te whakatutuki | Achieve
Te aro whaiaro | Feedback
Te whakawhanake | Develop

The NPL Programme can be completed through self-paced learning, or as a face-to-face or virtual programme with facilitated sessions. If you are employed by one of our member agencies you can access the self-paced learning resources free of charge through our website or receive member agency rates when you attend our NPL programmes. Talk to your HR team for more information.  

NPL programme options

Option 1: Self-guided Development & Action Guides only

Work through the guides, at your own pace, with your manager’s support. There is the option to complete a 180 assessment, before working at your own pace through all 6 Development & Action Guides – one for each development priority. You might also choose to meet up with other new people leaders and learn together. The 6 Development and Action guides make up the complete learning package to help you transition into your new people leader role.  

Option 2: Agency delivered New People Leader Development

Talk to your HR team to see if they are running NPL in your agency. You’ll join a cohort of 12-16 new people leaders and go through each of the Development & Action Guides, followed by a facilitated session (Workout). In the Workouts you’ll be encouraged to practice skills and apply the learning you’ve gained through the Development and Action Guide. You’ll also share insights and can discuss challenges you encounter as a new leader in regular peer learning groups. 

Option 3: LDC delivered programmes 

Join one of our NPL programmes. These are delivered virtually to a cohort of 12-16 leaders, so no matter where in the country you are based, you can attend. Since they are based virtually the programme includes additional connection sessions, so attendees have the opportunity to build those informal connections usually made on face to face programmes.  

As part of this programme, you’ll go through each of the Development and Action Guides, followed by a facilitated session (Workout). In the Workouts you’ll be encouraged to practice skills and apply the learning you’ve gained through the Development and Action Guide. You’ll also share insights and can discuss challenges you encounter as a new leader in regular peer learning groups.