Focus

A unique leadership development programme for established leaders which is locally rooted and available in Cork and the Mid West

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What is Focus?

A leadership programme for established leaders from all sectors and backgrounds based in places that are dispersed or more remote.

Over six days participants examine their locality and the world that surrounds it. They explore a range of real-life leadership challenges - based in anything from a prison to a casualty unit; a trading floor to a production plant; a rehab centre to a radio station - in small groups, learning constantly from each other, the contributors and the experience of operating in very unfamiliar situations.

The result is that participants develop an understanding of how their area really works, the impact of their decisions and become more effective leaders at work and in wider society.

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Who is Focus for?

Focus is for established leaders who are already experienced at delivering objectives and managing people and priorities. It is ideal for leaders who are responsible for developing local and regional partnerships, engaging with internal or external stakeholders and working across several locations or divisions. Or leaders who simply want to broaden their horizons.

As with all our open programmes, the participant group on Focus will be diverse in terms of background, experience, sector, outlook and approach. Participants share and challenge each other and discover that this diversity - far from being a weakness - provides a key strength of the programme.

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Participants can expect to:

  • become more accustomed to going outside their familiar environment and better able to adapt to new situations.
  • develop lasting working relationships with people they would almost certainly never have met otherwise.
  • learn how to lead in situations where they have no authority and how to become the kinds of people who can build and lead collaborations when required.
  • become responsible leaders who understand their local surroundings - in the national and international context -and the impact of their decisions.
  • discover how their own language, behaviour and preconceptions can get in their way as leaders.
  • find out when and how they can make their own contribution in society.

What is Focus programme format?

Focus is a six-day programme that spans a six month period. On each programme day, the participant group meets at a different venue within the area so as to give them a range of perspectives.

Together they work on real-life challenges, collaborate with their peers from different sectors, attend site visits, quiz experts, explore solutions with panel discussions and  expose themselves to different approaches to leadership throughout.

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Where are Focus programmes held?

Focus is run in Cork and the Mid West region.

Upcoming courses

 

 

What is the cost to attend Focus?

The course fee is €4,000

Financial Assistance

There are a number of almost full (every participant must make some contribution) and part bursary places provided on every Common Purpose course for participants who are genuinely unable - as opposed to unwilling - to meet the full fee. Applicants who cannot pay the full fee should not be deterred from applying.

If you would like to apply for a bursary, please fill in the section of the form for bursary candidates. If you need to discuss this further, please contact your local Common Purpose office.

Common Purpose Plus
Everyone who has completed a Common Purpose course will be offered a 20% reduction on the fee of any future courses they attend. Please notify us in your course application if you wish to apply for this reduction.

How can I apply to attend a Focus programme?

Complete the online application form at right and choose the date and location you want.

You can also download the Application Form and send it by post or fax to your local Common Purpose office.

For more about the overall application process, please visit the application page.

I would like to apply for:
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How did you hear about this Common Purpose course?
The following information will be used by Common Purpose to ensure that the course is a mixture of people, backgrounds and sectors.
If you have a disability that requires us to make a reasonable adjustment to enable you to apply, please tick and your nearest Common Purpose office will contact you.
Describe your current position and responsibility for decision making. This may include roles within your organisation and/or in a role outside work e.g. non-executive roles or community leadership
Please provide us with a brief biography that describes your career to date; include any leadership positions outside your employment (eg, public appointments, non-executive role or trusteeship.
What leadership challenges are you likely to face in the future?
Briefly describe your reasons for applying for this course and how you are hoping it will help you develop as a leader.
How do you think you would contribute to the group?
Is there any further information that you think we should have?
Please describe any special needs of which we should be aware (disability, dietary requirements, etc).
Financial information
Please tick here to confirm your willingness to pay the full fee for this course
Should your application be successful, whom should we contact regarding the invoicing and processing of the payment for your place on the course?
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There are a few part-fees available for candidates who can demonstrate a clear need for financial assistance. To be considered, please document your need below
Completing your application
We may also use your contact details to send you information about other courses and activities we offer.
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We may publish your contact details to the members of your participant group as part of the information distributed prior to the programme.
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We may publish your contact details including email address to graduates of Common Purpose worldwide and to members of the Common Purpose Advisory Groups.
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Terms & Conditions
I have read and agree with these terms and conditions.

"I was interested in doing the Focus programme because it is so broad and cross-sectoral.  I work for a government department as well as voluntarily for not-for-profit organisations and in all these roles I have to be able to communicate well with private organisations and individuals.  Often people in different sectors speak completely different languages and it's important to me to be able to break down these 'language barriers'."

Eoin MacCuirc, Assistant Principal, Dissemination Unit, Central Statistics Office

"I found that my preconceptions were challenged by certain contributors and site visits - the honesty, frankness and energy of a public sector employee that we met were both inspiring and enlightening to me. We got great insights into how things work, how intricate and complex things are, and how people cope with great challenge.  The interactivity of the course, through the myriad of different speakers and participants, worked very well for me, as a person who would find 'book learning' very boring."

Michael Magner,  Proprietor, Fitzgeralds Vienna Woods Hotel