It is a powerful educational experience that brings together leaders from all sectors - private, public and voluntary/community - and widely differing backgrounds. The diversity of the Focus group is central to the challenge of the programme.
During the six day programme, the participants work together to identify and tackle real-life problems in their communities. In the process, they develop their own leadership abilities through collaboration with their peers in other sectors, site visits, panel discussions, expert briefings and exposure to a variety of different approaches to leadership.
What’s the benefit?
- participants gain new competencies through an innovative approach to leadership development
- organisations benefit from stronger, more inspired, better-networked senior managers who are closer to the community
- communities benefit from cross-sector understanding and initiatives as different parts of the community learn to operate more effectively together.
Leaders know they need to have an understanding of the real context in which they operate if they are to be most effective within their own organisations and in wider society. But too often decision-makers become insulated from each other and their decisions reflect a partial, sometimes dated, view of the world. Increasing specialisation, mounting work pressures and long hours weaken a leader’s capacity to see opportunities, broaden networks and refresh their vision for themselves and their organisations.
The fee for the Common Purpose Focus programme is €4,000.
The next Focus Programme in Cork begins in January 2011 Applications are now being accepted. Please contact Focus Programme Director Jackie Butler jackie.butler@commonpurpose.ie for more information.
Read what our Focus graduates have to say about the programme
See Cork Focus programme dates 2009
See Mid West Focus programme dates 2009