I found this course at the right time.
This course felt like the right one for me as I was beginning to lead teams. The overarching themes of the programme convinced me that it'd be the right place to meet other women in leadership or aspiring to it. And learn how to get equipped with the right tools to succeed.
My 5 year old daughter was asked what she wanted to be during her graduation at nursery. She was asked 3 times and each time she answered, she wants to be like Mama. I am reminded often that she is watching me - I want be the best mother I can be and perhaps leave her with an example of a good woman leader.
In December 2023 I decided to invest in personal development and enrolled in the Oxford Women’s Leadership Development Programme in April 2024. The programme was an intense six-week academic experience delivered online. This was my first online academic programme, and I wondered what the experience would be like, especially while working full-time and taking care of a five-year-old. The first week of the programme was dedicated to orientation and the resources provided helped me to navigate the online campus. It was so seamless that, it did not ‘feel’ remote. The support team were always responsive and offered the needed support to make the learning experience pleasant and effective. The decision to participate in the programme and the choice of programme have been lifechanging. The quote above were the exact words I used to express why I was participating in the programme during introductions at the start of the programme. I had learnt that beyond technical competence, I needed to be equipped to succeed as a leader. I wanted to learn how to show up as my authentic self. In this blog post, I will share how the programme helped me to discover and accept myself, how I have been equipped to lead authentically with skill, and the importance of being intentional as a woman leader in taking on responsibility for my own development.
Two words best convey my experience each week on the Oxford Women’s Leadership Development Programme - enlightenment and understanding.
As I studied each module and engaged with women on this journey, with guidance from exceptional women who had walked this path, I understood leadership better and the unique complexities women face.
One of the tools I leant to apply effectively on the Oxford Women's Leadership Development Programme is reflecting as a leadership practice. Introspection, being self aware, continuous learning and practice are essential for growth. Had I ever reflected before – I had. So, what was different about this reflection? Intentionality, consistency and having the tools to make the process methodical, objective and effective.
And each week – there was no exception, each week, we reflected and kept records of it. Documenting the process, made it easy to ‘see’ the transformation.
I set out to find and understand myself and the programme delivered more than I imagined. I understood how my social context, including how I was socialised from birth till now, has had an impact on who I am, my leadership potential and opportunities. Perhaps even more profound for me was how on a personal level certain inherent characteristics may become limiting factors.
The programme has been intentionally curated based on research and what works in practice.
Without the self-awareness of who one is, accepting oneself is difficult which hampers a leader’s ability to develop and manage oneself and career. One of my favourite quotes from the first module was “...who you think you are, is not who they think you are...” and understanding that greatly affects your effectiveness as a leader.
Whether you are an accomplished woman leader on just starting out on your career as a woman, I strongly recommend that you invest in yourself, your future, the future of the teams and organizations you will lead and that of other women by participating in the Oxford Women’s Leadership Development Programme to acquire the skills to deliver positive impacts while being your authentic self, with skill.