Stepping Off the Dance Floor: My Experience as a Delegate on ‘Shaping the People Agenda’

Tuesday 7 October 2025

As leaders, it’s all too easy to get caught up on the dance floor - in the day-to-day busyness of meetings, emails and decisions that demand instant answers. But one of the biggest lessons I took away from Centre of Learning’s ‘Shaping the People Agenda’ was the importance of stepping off that floor and moving up into the balcony – a brilliant analogy used by the programme’s fantastic facilitators Michele Larmour and Joanne Kelly. From there, you gain a broader perspective where you see patterns, you strategise more clearly and you lead with focus rather than react with urgency.

For me, this shift wasn’t just theoretical. It changed how I approach my role as a director - not just driving results, but shaping a culture where decisions are made with intention. One simple but powerful question has stayed with me: is this decision reflective of my values? When I pause to align choices with my core values, the noise fades and the path forward becomes much clearer.

The programme also offered the chance to deeply reflect on leadership styles, both mine and my team’s. Through Emergenetics profiling, I came to understand my own preferences and where I naturally add value, but also the strengths of those around me. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about bringing your team with you, drawing on their expertise, and knowing when to step back so others can step forward.

I was reminded too, of the importance of spheres of influence and the power of role models. For women especially, identifying and learning from female leaders who’ve walked the path before us is both grounding and inspiring.

For anyone considering this programme, I’d encourage you to think of it as a rare opportunity - time and space to reflect on who you are as a leader, how you want to show up, and how you can bring your people with you in a way that’s sustainable, values-driven and impactful.

Stepping into ‘Shaping the People Agenda’ isn’t just an investment in yourself, it’s an investment in the people you lead, the culture you create and the change you want to drive.