Developing Senior Leaders

Leadership training that survives contact with Monday

Five days in Auckland. Eight to twelve senior leaders. Led by a registered psychologist, and built on an evidence-based understanding of how you're actually wired.

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Shanel Winning, Registered Psychologist, passing on know-how from twenty years of supporting technical executives and partners.

16 - 20 November 2026 with eight to twelve senior leaders

$8,750 plus GST including a comprehensive leadership assessment

THE CRITICISM

Most leadership training is just a week away from work.

You’re already leading a big business, function, or portfolio. You spent decades developing deep technical expertise. But the title arrived before you were able to do the same with leadership.

You’ve tried to be proactive: read the recommended books, and taken a few courses. Most have been inspiring at best, or frustrating at worst. Either because the advice hasn’t suited your wiring. Or you already “know” this stuff, but keep finding yourself doing what you’ve always done.

This isn't your fault. It's the logical consequence of adding knowledge before insight.

Because if advice on its own was enough, wouldn't we all be drinking enough water?

Starting with insight changes everything.

THE DIFFERENCE

Insight, then know-how, then follow-through

More about the insight stage

01 We'll start with you

The strengths that are serving you, and the patterns that aren’t, explored one-on-one about a month before the intensive. Because if we add knowledge before insight, you’ll find your habits, under-pressure responses, and unconscious beliefs subtly undermining the shift you’re trying to make.

02 Then build know-how

Practical, informed by research and refined over twenty years of supporting senior technical leaders just like you. But we make it real, through experiential learning, safe chances to practise, and discussions with peers at a similar level, navigating similar challenges.

03 Then the follow-through

Time during the week to synthesise your takeaways into a high-level plan. A follow-up online group session to help you build it out further. And the option to work one-to-one if you’d like more support.

THE PARTICIPANTS

Senior leaders, usually with a technical background

You’ll work alongside a small group of peers at a similar level to you. Other senior leaders who are already performing well and want the structured, practical know-how to lead with more ease and less personal cost. Because leading other leaders - managing the people complexity, the politics, the strategy, the performance issues, the alignment challenges - is a different discipline that is almost never taught. So while intellect, instinct and determination have got you this far, you don’t need to figure out the rest on your own.

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Five days, five dimensions of leading leaders

Assessment and two hours one-on-one

Evidence-based insight into your leadership strengths, blind spots, and development priorities. Personality, behaviour under pressure and values questionnaires, a two-hour session with a registered psychologist to explore the implications, and a written report.

Module 1: Leading with awareness

Leading people who think and operate like you is relatively straightforward. The harder skill is bringing out the best in people who don't - consistently, without requiring them to become more like you, or you to become someone you're not. This module builds the self-awareness to understand your own style, values, and pressure patterns, and the insight to lead diverse individuals and teams in a way that works for everyone.

Module 2: Leading with credibility

When trust is still developing, the instinct is often to demonstrate more competence. At senior levels, that rarely works - and under pressure it's even easier to default to behaviours that erode trust rather than build it. This module covers how trust actually develops, and how to manage your own thinking and reactions so you can maintain it when pressure rises - creating the conditions for you and your team to perform at their best.

Module 3: Leading with purpose

Complex strategic decisions in ambiguous situations are hard enough on their own. Getting your people, peers, and other stakeholders to support and execute on them is a different challenge again. This module covers how to develop strategy and make better decisions in complexity, and how to influence effectively - so you get genuine support without having to push, cajole, or become a motivational speaker.

Module 4: Leading with accountability

The so-called difficult conversation is usually a symptom of expectations not being articulated well at the outset. This module covers both ends: how to delegate clearly enough that you get back the outcomes you're expecting without micromanaging, and how to address issues when things go off track in a way that lifts performance, and leaves people feeling accountable and supported.

Module 5: Leading with support

People stay and keep growing when their own ambitions are being realised alongside the organisation's goals. This module builds the ability to develop people and coach in a way that achieves both - without requiring you to have all the answers or carry the load yourself. The aim is a team that is genuinely more capable, and acts like it.

Applications close 1 October 2026

Most participants are funded by their organisation - let Shanel know if you'd like her to be part of the conversation with your leader or chair. You'll complete your assessment with Shanel in October, so the earlier you apply, the better.

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THE FACILITATOR

Shanel Winning

Shanel Winning is a registered psychologist who helps organisations get results that last, by focusing on the factors that actually produce them: their people, their leaders, their culture, and their strategy. She took the long way here: operations, information systems, marketing, a stint in mergers and acquisitions, then registration as a psychologist in 2006. Twenty years on, she's known for logical advice that's backed by evidence and proven in practice, with leaders who are already leading big businesses, functions and portfolios, but can't help wondering: could I be doing this better?

A technical person herself, she understands first-hand the challenge of leading leaders when you’re used to leading the work and being respected for your own expertise. Her own experience of finding a way to lead that works without conforming to the charismatic, performative archetype that dominates so much of the leadership narrative informs everything she teaches – because effective leadership can look many different ways. The key is knowing who you are, using your strengths, and developing the awareness and skills to lead diverse people and teams in a way that brings out the best in everyone, including yourself.

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Shanel Winning, Registered Psychologist, working with a client.

FAQ

Commonly asked questions about the leadership intensive

How much does the five-day leadership intensive cost?

$8,750+GST per person, all in. That covers your leadership assessment and two-hour session beforehand, five full days with eight to twelve senior leaders, a follow-up group session online, a leadership workbook, and all catering. Most participants are funded by their organisation, and a quote for PO purposes is available.

Why is the assessment compulsory?

Because adding knowledge before insight doesn't work. Your habits, under-pressure responses, and unconscious beliefs will subtly undermine whatever you learn. The assessment helps you avoid that.

Is this a leadership course?

Not in the usual sense. Courses deliver content to a room. This starts with an individual assessment a month beforehand, so the week is aimed at you and your patterns, not a generic audience. Then five days of practical know-how with peers at a similar level, then follow-through, because knowing isn't doing.

Is five days out of the business worth it?

The week works because it's long enough to shift how you operate rather than just what you know. If you can't commit to it properly, tell me on the call and we'll talk about whether coaching would suit you better.

Who will be in the room?

Senior leaders from different organisations and industries. Everyone has completed an assessment with me, which means everyone has been through a fit conversation before they take a seat.

Where is the Leadership Intensive being held?

The Officers Mess, 170 Vauxhall Road, Fort Takapuna, Auckland. Private, quiet, overlooking the water, and a long way from your inbox. Download the programme for full details.

Can my organisation send several people?

Yes, but if it's more than two, an in-house programme might suit you better. Book a call with me to discuss.

How do I register my interest?

Apply to join, and we'll have a call to make sure it's right for you.

Apply to join Download the programme

CONTACT

Let's start a conversation

If you’re considering working with me, send me an email with a bit of context about your situation and what you’re hoping to achieve. I read every enquiry personally. If I think I can help, I’ll be in touch to arrange an initial complimentary call.

Urgent psychometric testing

Book here

Coaching for existing clients

Book here

Phone

+64 21 2777 225

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