Leadership in Focus: Kate Leigh’s Path to Becoming a Confident Leader Through An Apprenticeship

As the landscape of professional development continues to evolve, apprenticeships are increasingly recognised as powerful tools for cultivating leadership skills. Kate Leigh, a seasoned professional within the airline industry, embarked on her apprenticeship journey at Henley Business School with the goal of transitioning from a managerial role to a confident leader. Her story underscores the transformative power of continuous learning, even after decades of experience.

With 25 years of experience in the airline industry, Kate Leigh was no stranger to the demands of a high-paced work environment. However, despite her extensive background, she recognised the need for structured development to elevate her leadership capabilities.

“I first heard about the apprenticeship programme from my line manager during my end-of-year review”

The conversation revolved around her career aspirations and the next steps in her leadership journey. Her line manager, seeing the potential for growth, introduced her to the organisation’s Apprenticeship Manager. This initial discussion set the stage for a transformative experience.

“We discussed the most appropriate programme for my development, and it was clear that the Henley apprenticeship was the perfect fit.”

Kate’s decision to pursue the apprenticeship was driven by a desire to gain new knowledge that could be immediately applied to her current role.

“My expectation was to gain new knowledge from the course literature that I could apply in my current role and see results with immediate effect. I was hoping to elevate my mindset from a managerial level and become a confident leader.”

Returning to academic study after 20 years presented its own set of challenges. Kate admits that she was initially naive about the structure of modern apprenticeships.

“Having been away from academia for 20 years, I was naive to the structure of modern apprenticeships.”

One of the most eye-opening aspects of the programme for Kate was the realisation that leadership skills are universally applicable, regardless of industry.

“Having worked in the airline industry for 25 years, it was interesting to observe within my action-learning group, which included peers across a broad spectrum of industries, that the leadership skills required are similar across any organisation.”

However, the programme also demanded a higher level of self-discipline and time management than Kate had anticipated.

“The programme included a higher volume of self-study during personal time, requiring a higher focus on managing a work-study-life balance than I had expected.”

The support of her line manager and apprenticeship tutor was instrumental in Kate’s success throughout the programme. Fortunately, Kate’s line manager had recently enrolled in an MBA at Henley Business School, giving her valuable insight into the demands and benefits of Henley’s leadership programmes.

“This gave her the insight of Henley leadership programmes enabling her to provide me with the most beneficial support that I could have asked for.”

The commercial role Kate held at the time provided a rich array of relevant topics for her work-based projects, further enhancing the practical value of the apprenticeship.

“The commercial role that I was undertaking also gave me a broad spectrum of relevant topics to focus on for my work-based projects that was beneficial for my self-development, my department’s productivity, and my organisation’s goals.”

In addition to her line manager, Kate benefited from the strong support of her action-learning group and colleagues who were also enrolled in the programme.

“The organisation’s Apprenticeship Manager provided a monthly check-in to support us throughout our programme.”

This support network played a crucial role in helping Kate navigate the demands of the apprenticeship while balancing her professional responsibilities.

One of the key expectations of any apprenticeship is the development of new Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours (KSBs). For Kate, these KSBs were not only personally transformative but also had a significant impact on her team and the broader organisation.

“The apprenticeship has developed my people leadership skills, and I have created a diverse, motivated, and efficient team that boosted my team’s morale, leading to higher productivity.”

This improvement in team dynamics had a ripple effect, benefiting the broader organisation by enhancing overall productivity.

When reflecting on the specific KSBs that had the most impact, Kate highlights the Enterprise and Risk module.

“The KSBs that I developed during the Enterprise and Risk module benefitted me the most as they broadened my understanding of key organisational metrics and high-level considerations outside my long-term career within Commercial.”

This broader perspective not only enhanced Kate’s understanding of the business but also strengthened her relationships within the organisation.

“I have broadened my relationships and gained trust with my colleagues across the organisation.”

The growth in her leadership abilities did not go unnoticed, with her line manager and colleagues acknowledging her development through witness statements during the programme.

The true value of an apprenticeship lies in its ability to translate learning into tangible improvements within the organisation. Kate’s development in the Enterprise and Risk module led to a significant work-based project that has already shown measurable benefits.

“The work-based project that I conducted during this module has since been implemented, with no CSR issues and creating a stronger brand awareness in a country previously undeveloped. This project not only avoided potential corporate social responsibility pitfalls but also generated incremental revenues, contributing to the organisation’s bottom line.”

For those considering an apprenticeship, Kate’s advice is simple yet profound.

“Act on the advice of the apprenticeship tutors and learning coaches, even if you don’t understand the significance of that advice at the time.”

She also emphasizes the importance of curiosity and engagement.

“Ask questions at every opportunity as the tutors and coaches are there to support and are on your side.”

Kate Leigh’s journey through the Henley apprenticeship programme serves as a testament to the power of lifelong learning. Even after decades of professional experience, the right programme can provide the tools and insights needed to transition from management to leadership, driving not only personal growth but also organisational success.