2007                  

1. "After my initial (unfounded) reaction to ‘not another corporate training session’ I was pleasantly surprised at the informal, organic approach and general flow of the following monthly sessions.
Meeting facilitation was excellent and informative.
Guest speakers were wide and varied and from each one I gained some wise words and vicariously participated in their successes and failures (aka experience).
Outcomes from the year was a new approach to working, work/life balance, leadership and invaluable friendship building within the group which invariably flows into better communication, understanding and productivity in the workplace."

2. "In my first year as a Manager, and during a period of exceptional growth -of both scope and team size - the support of members of my Leadership Circle was invaluable.

Being able to bounce ideas off more experienced Managers and hearing that others, also new to their role, were experiencing similar challenges, was encouraging. Open, honest discussion and a range of viewpoints expressed by Circle members led me to explore some strategies and discount others in a ‘foreign’ (construction) environment.

The opportunity to get to know some of my colleagues on a more personal level strengthened relationships and made my everyday work environment more streamlined, efficient and friendly.

The code of total confidentiality created a safe place to air frustrations and workplace issues which it would be inappropriate to discuss elsewhere. Meetings provided an effective safety valve in a sometimes highly-charged environment.

Because Circle members were aware of personal and work pressures on colleagues at various times, support was often spontaneously offered. I think this enhanced the feeling of being a valued part of a close-knit team, promoting team and project loyalty.

The calibre of guest speakers is awesome."

3. "The Leadership Circle opened the lines of communication within Finance and Business services by providing a forum for managers to have open and frank discussion around issues within the Section and the wider UQ community.

The Circle starts each week with a round the table feedback session; this involves each person speaking about their highlights since the last meeting, both at work and at home. As we have all got to know each other a little better working relationships have improved. This in turn has lead to a support network that did not previously exist.

We have been given the opportunity to hear the life experiences of leaders in the community and (hopefully!) learn from them. The speakers were interesting and welcomed questions and offered advice when asked.

The level management skills within the Circle has improved and been enriched with the discussions, tools (books/handouts) and exercises that enable us to work better and more effectively within our Teams.

Ken Gilbert is an excellent facilitator of this process."

4. "Ken Gilbert’s Leadership Circles provide excellent support for anyone moving into (or already in) a leadership position. He is able to gently extend your personal and professional development through sharing experiences with appropriate guests and others within the circle. Ken makes you think more deeply about what you do and how you can be more effective in your interactions with colleagues at all levels."

5. "I found Leadership Circles to be an enlightening experience. It has helped me grow as an individual and a team member within my workplace. I have gained valuable leadership, management and communication skills from fellow circle members and guest speakers. Leadership Circles has provided a foundation for me to continually better myself and my skills."

Previous                  

1. “Some people - but only some- discover as their careers progress that the ability to learn from others gives a rare synergy. Leadership Circles not only enhances your interpersonal and intra-group competence, but more importantly it allows your own learning to be challenged and grow in a safe and supportive environment. The concept of Leadership Circles is simple but the strength and success lies in the specific skills of the facilitator and the utilisation of an extensive network of speakers to address the idiosyncratic needs of each circle of learners.”

2. “My participation in two Leadership Circles has provided an invaluable opportunity to strengthen networks with colleagues and benefit from the insights and experiences of guest speakers. The facilitator was integral in ensuring monthly meetings addressed the identified needs of the participants. The Leadership Circle has been an extremely powerful mechanism in a period of uncertainty.”

3. “The quality and depth of sharing has bonded our Principal’s Alliance and increased the effectiveness of the group. A humbling and enlightening experience.”

4. “The Leadership Circle has provided me with the opportunity to interact with others in a non-hierarchical , non-competitive environment to explore deeper issues associated with leadership that I don’t find or make the opportunity to consider in my day to day work. The challenges and life stories presented by the guest speakers have extended my learnings and challenged my assumptions and values.”

5. "My involvement with the Leadership Circle has brought a new focus to my professional development. The exposure to guests from outside education circles who have shared leadership and management practice has been inspiring. The Leadership Circle has provided a forum in which to share issues and seek input from colleagues from diverse backgrounds. If you have the opportunity – go for it!"

6. "The opportunity to participate in discussion with like-minded professionals in a non-organisationally governed group heightens my thinking and capacity to plan for a more effective future for my school. The Leadership Circle has not been intrusive but has developed a new network of colleagues and a greater understanding of the current education climate."

7. "The Facilitator has been excellent – choosing guest speakers with careful attention to the group’s needs and helping the group through our problem sessions. I have found something to put into practice as a result of each meeting and have found my leadership practice enhanced as a direct result of our learnings."

8. "The Leadership Circle provides an opportunity for individual personal growth. The facilitation and presenters provoked thought in areas that helped improve professional and personal balance."

9. "It has been gratifying to see the sharing of experiences and the eagerness of members to support one another and to help problem-solve issues that are raised by fellow participants. The guest speakers have been invaluable in providing us with advice and strategies to deal with the many issues that we face in our day-to-day professional activities."

10. "Bringing together people carrying out similar roles, who normally work in isolation of their peers, and letting them bounce ideas off each other, throwing them into a tub of new ideas and concepts, adding a professional speaker or two or three, has to have a beneficial effect. If each one of us has only learned one new thing or put into practice one new concept or idea that has improved the outcomes for our schools, then Leadership Circles are a success."

11. "A great opportunity to learn and reflect on leadership strategies in a forum that exposes one to a range of experiences from within and outside education. The structure is one that ultimately improves an individual’s understanding of the qualities of a successful leader."

12. "I feel I have changed my management style and have gained insight into achieving more win-win situations. I have found that consulting with others about similar issues gave a feeling of “I’m not alone”.

13. "Personally, Leadership Circle membership has allowed me to share and learn with fellow colleagues a sense of sharing and caring and reflection on my strengths and weaknesses. Professionally, it has enabled me to expand my knowledge base in the areas presented, share different points of view with colleagues and to learn new ideas from outside Education Queensland."

14. "I have made huge headway in balancing my life. Interactions with the group and the facilitator’s belief in all of us has redeemed my confidence in myself and the belief that I can once again achieve whatever I set out to do."

15. “An exceptional opportunity to develop professional learning and sharing networks. Building professional and personal rapport with our colleagues is crucial to optimising our leadership potential – the ‘ Leadership Circle ’ fulfils this need admirably.”

16. “Taking care of my own learning is important and difficult in isolation. I have another group of colleagues with which I can now network and discuss issues further.”

17. “The Leadership Circle concept has provided a highly valued opportunity for professional growth and reflection on a variety of topics which challenge me daily as Principal. Often I find that the benefits spill-over into my personal world given my reflections. I strongly recommend the concept.”

18. “Being part of a Leadership Circle is the best thing I have done for my own personal and professional development. It has broadened my horizons and led to valuable networking with peers. I reflect on my practice within the context of the wider view of leadership and management as well as the field of education. This has enhanced my leadership to the benefit of the range of people in our school community. I would strongly recommend this initiative to others.”

19. "A great opportunity for networking with broad range of people in and out of Education Queensland. Very motivating!”

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