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Ready to take the next step in your consulting career? Pathway to Lead will give you the confidence and skills needed to make the leap with ease.
馃 What is Pathway to Lead?
Designed for ambitious consultants with 7 – 10 years’ experience who are at an inflection point in their career, the program looks beyond technical knowledge. Instead, we dive into the knowledge and mindset that consultants need to successfully transition from capable doer and into leading change in our vibrant, sustainable and equitable cities.
Often, our talented consultants are appointed to leadership roles because they have demonstrated their skills on projects; coming up with creative solutions to urban challenges and thinking through analysis. Taking on formal and informal leadership is the next logical step to having greater impact.
But without the right support and skills, it can end up being a real slog.
Still delivering high quality project work, learning to be an effective leader and navigating the nuances of client relationships – these are all challenges experienced when stepping in to the next phase of your career. Trying to figure it out by yourself can lead to overwhelm and burnout – and puts projects and relationships at risk.
Pathway to Lead is a program to help you successfully navigate this transition.
Delivered by Liz Mackevicius (), the interactive learning kicks off with practical, day to day skills, tailored to those in the built environment sector. Group and 1:1 coaching provides the scaffolding and support to embed the new knowledge, resulting in real changes, increased confidence and capability, and expanded professional networks.
馃憤 Benefits to participants
- You’ll learn a wealth of new skills tailored to built environment consultants, such as providing feedback, managing projects and teams, client conversations and relationships, time and self-management, and how you can succeed in your new leadership role
- Engage in personalised 1:1 coaching to get a personalised and specific focus on your unique goals and challenges, allowing you to put your learnings into practice
- Connect with your cohort during group coaching and skills sessions, allowing you to expand your professional network and exchange ideas, insights, and common barriers with like-minded individuals.
- Build resilience in the workplace, including learning how to tackle difficult conversations
- Enjoy a cost-effective and hands-on professional development experience that will set you up for a bright future
馃檶 Includes:
- 2x Half Day Skills Sessions
- 4x 90minute Group Coaching Sessions (max 6 participants)
- 2x 60minutes 1:1 Coaching Sessions
- Participant workbook, skills session materials, and program journal for tracking your progress throughout the course
- Participants are eligible for up to 16 CPD points
See program structure below for more details.
馃捈 Are you a manager of a budding leader?
Have you got emerging leaders in your team, and you want to support them with the tools and confidence to succeed? Pathway to Lead is the perfect program to provide them with the full toolkit of skills to take them to the next level.
馃帣锔廞&A with PIA and Sentier Consulting
Want to get a taste for what Pathway to Lead is all about?
Watch this quick-fire Q&A video below with Karen Goldsmith, PIA's National General Manager, and (your potential future coach!) Liz Mackevicius from Sentier Consulting.
馃摑 Program Information
The program will commence in 15th May 2024. Please see dates and program structure below. Dependant on interest, a second cohort later in the year may take place. However, if you would like to ensure you can participate, be sure to register now.
Pathway to Lead will be delivered primarily online. However, dependant on cohort makeup and locations, some in person sessions may occur. This will be confirmed once final participants have been confirmed.
馃棑锔� Key Dates
| Free information session | 23 April 2024 |
| Pathway to Lead Program registrations close | 3 May 2024 |
| Pathway to Lead May Cohort commences | 15 May 2024 |
| See dates for each component of Pathway to Lead below | |
馃搼 Program Structure
| Pre-Session | You'll receive an information pack including discussion questions for your manager to help you prepare for the program, and your program journal |
| Half-Day Skills Session 1 15 May, 9.30am - 1.30pm AEDT |
This group skills session will include:
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| Between each session | You’ll practice implementing your new skills, focusing on a particular area that you’ve identified in session 1. There will be group accountability (via a group chat), and you can also ask questions and share your wins. |
| Group Coaching Session 1 (Up to 6 participants per session) W/C 27 May (date tbc) |
This is when you'll get into the nitty gritty of coaching to help you reach your goals. Group members will share how you’ve gone back in the workplace practicing your new skills, the challenges you’ve faced and the successes you’ve had. The group sessions allow you to connect with your peers, exchange insights and learn both with and from one another. |
| Group Coaching Session 2 W/C 17 June (date tbc) |
Approximately 3 weeks after the first group coaching session, we'll come together again to build on and expand learnings from Session 1. |
| One to one Coaching Session 1 Between 24 June - 12 July (date tbc with each individual) |
You'll have a 1:1 coaching session where you can dive deeper into your specific goals and challenges, and work with Liz on how to reach them. |
| Half-Day Skills Session 2 17 July, 9.30am - 1.30pm AEDT |
This session content will be finalised and based on participant goals & group coaching themes, including coaching on:
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Group Coaching Session 3 W/C 5 August (date tbc)
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We'll continue to build on capabilities from previous sessions |
One on one coaching session
Between 12 - 30 August (date tbc with each individual) |
You'll meet with Liz for another 1:1 coaching session |
| Group Coaching Session 4, wrap up and evaluation W/C 16 September (date tbs) |
We'll finish up with a final session, honing in on everything learnt so far and ensuring you are armed will the tools, confidence and experience to step into your new leadership role |
馃師锔� Pricing
| PIA Member | $2,500 |
| Non-Member | $3,250 Special Non-Member Offer: If you are a non-member of PIA and register and pay to attend Pathway to Lead, you will also receive 12 months PIA Membership FREE of charge. |
Two or more participants from the same organisation: 10% discount If you would like to send three or more participants, get in touch with us on vic@planning.org.au to discuss multi-participant discount options. |
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Meet the coach
Liz Mackevicius
An accredited organisational coach, Liz has built a reputation of strong but supportive coaching. She values accountability, acknowledging this is what helps us translate aspirations into real breakthroughs. She has worked with a range of clients, building their confidence, resolve and satisfaction.
Liz is also a trainer and facilitator with a passion and commitment to helping those who create our liveable cities be more effective and have rewarding work. She believes that the challenge and problem solving we experience at work should be part of a fulfilling life – but that we often need to do the work to create that for ourselves.
Liz is also a public policy expert with nearly 20 years’ experience in urban planning, government advisory, strategy and policy development across a range of consulting and State and Local government roles. She understands the challenges of consulting, including balancing client demands with deep and creative thinking, leading people with different working and communication preferences, working with clients on tricky problems and developing strategies and policy in a constantly changing context.
Outside of her professional life, Liz loves getting into the outdoors and wilderness – ultra trail running, fastpacking, road cycling. She doesn’t expect her clients to go out in to the mountains with her, but she brings many of the lessons learnt from big mountain days into her training and coaching approach!
馃捇 Register to participate now!
Registrations for Cohort 1 (May 2024) are open! Head below to secure your spot. There are limited spaces, so we encourgae you to register sooner rather than later.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with us on vic@planning.org.au
馃摚 Don't just take our word for it
You may not know what to expect from coaching or you're unsure about the ongoing benefits it may bring you. Perhaps you're wondering how you could fit coaching in to your already overflowing to-do list?
Michelle Wang MPIA undertook coaching with Liz in 2023. She speaks about her experience in this short clip below. Have a listen 馃憞
Frequently Asked Questions
Can our organisation send more than one participant?
Yes! If you send 2 participants, you'll receive a 10% discounts. Get in touch with us on vic@planning.org.au regarding prices for 3 or more.
How is my manager involved?
Ideally, the manager will support the participant throughout the session, checking in and providing advice and feedback.
There are a couple of key points:
1. Have conversation with participant prior to first session, about strengths and goals (context and notes to support this conversation will be provided prior to the progra)
2. Prior to final session including reflecting on initial goals
3. Participate in a short program evaluation (online survey)
What happens if I can’t make the session?
鈭� Skills sessions will be recorded
鈭� Group coaching can’t be reschedules given timing & diaries, and won't be recorded due to potentially personal information being shared
鈭� 1:1 coaching can be rescheduled with 48hrs notice, within the window
Is it just for Victorians?
No, while delivered via the PIA VIC office, the program is available across Australia
Is it just for planners?
No, it’s also for those who work with planners – so anyone in the built environment sector
Is it face to face or online?
This will depend on the make up of your cohort. There is potential for some face-to-face sessions depending on participant numbers and location. Otherwise, the program will be delivered online
Pathway to Lead is presented by PIA and delivered by Sentier Consulting.
