The structure of our leadership development programmes is unique and has been carefully constructed based on our knowledge of leadership learning: It involves:  

• A mix of theoretical and experiential learning
• Effective pacing of concepts, practice and reflection
• Exposure to multiple perspectives including practitioner, facilitator, academic and guests
• Facilitators who understand the full spectrum of contemporary leadership research, thought and practice
• Strong facilitation practice that creates a learning environment where participants 'own' their personal learning  
• A development and research interface that continually improves the leadership development process and content

There are a number of key elements used throughout our leadership development programmes in order to support real change. 

Face-to-face workshops

During the programme there are 18 days of face-to-face sessions which provide highly interactive ways of stimulating deeper leadership insights and more powerful leadership actions. The workships not only provide stong opportunities to learn, they also provide safe opportunities to practice new ways of leading and to create and sustain the relationships with other participants required to build a trusting network.   

Excelerator Online

Excelerator Online is a customised and private virtual space that participants use as one of the main foundations for interaction and learning throughout the programme. It allows leadership learning to be continuous over the 18 months and connected from wherever participants are based. 

Virtual leadership sessions will include activities such as discussion forums, online sessions and interviews with current New Zealand leaders, reflective journals and collaborative projects.  

Leadership Projects

Our programmes include a number of activities and projects directly relevant to the participant's own day to day activities and aspirations.  These projects will link to developing personal leadership capability, building the leadership capability of others and building the organisational or community capability for leadership. 

Peer Learning

Participants will "meet" together with other peers from the programme to share leadership lessons learnt, and to stimulate and support one another's leadership growth.

Leadership Journal

A personal leadership journal is a critical component of learning and development in the programme by embedding the practice of reflection. 

Leadership Readings

Participants of Excelerator programmes have access to the latest thinking and research into leadership through the material integrated into the programme and full access to the University of Auckland library databases.  

Leadership Action Plans and Experiments

Throughout the programme, people will be encouraged to take "leadership experiments" that foster their leadership growth.  By fostering a leadership mindset, then supporting this with leadership action - sustained leadership growth is achieved.