Coates recently celebrated the first graduates of our Leadership, Excellence and Performance (LEAP) Program. Designed to empower and develop our future female leaders, 20 talented women from across the business completed the seven-month program – with four receiving promotions before the program even wrapped up.
The women’s leadership program is a key part of Coates’ diversity and inclusion goals, said Rowan Ezman, Organisational Development Business Partner and LEAP program manager.
“This special program started out to solve a business problem, which was to create a female pipeline of talent from our sales coordinators to our branch managers and beyond, and work towards our strategic goal of achieving 25% gender diversity in leadership roles by 2025,” Rowan explained.
“We’ve already seen the tangible impact of the program, with four of the participants receiving merit-based role promotions. The program has also really enabled our business to proactively think about how we move our culture in the right direction.
“We’ve leveraged the program by listening to our people’s experience and supporting our talent in having a voice at the table to drive change and grow as a business. The community this amazing group of women has created makes me incredibly proud,” she said.
The participants took part in 15 sessions, facilitated by Aileen Hiskins from Strategic Alignment Training, covering topics such as routines and habits, learning agility, business acumen, accountability and advocacy. Each module closed with a panel discussion with an executive sponsor from across the business.
“Over time, the group became more curious about the content and topics and more courageous with asking questions. It was so great to watch,” said Rowan. “The concepts taught are excellent skills that can transfer into the roles we play outside work as well.”
During the final session, three participants discussed how the course has impacted, developed and changed their perceptions, outlook and business mentality to help them maximise their career potential.
Sales Coordinator Kate Alcock from WA described how the peer-to-peer learning and support during the course was instrumental in encouraging everyone to open up about their experiences.
“I don’t think we realised we would create such an amazingly safe space where we could talk so freely about the issues we all face,” Kate said.
Natalie Zuriel, Service Operations Delivery Manager from NSW, added: “From what we have learnt through the program, we are going to be the advocates and influence the Coates culture.”
Hailee Parker, Senior Sales Coordinator from SA, said completing the program has been the highlight of her career and credits LEAP with giving her confidence to successfully apply for a promotion.
“My takeaway [from the program] is transitioning from being a really good sales coordinator to a strong and capable leader,” Hailee said.
Congratulations to all the graduates and we look forward to supporting their career development.
To hear more from our LEAP graduates, visit the Coates YouTube channel
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