Leadership approaches and the challenges being faced are changing: – unceasing transformation, a tech and digital revolution, globalisation, growing complexity, a multi-generational workforce and constant, never-ending change. There is now no place to hide and leadership is responding by being more driven by purpose and value creation, shifting from heroic individual leaders to collective and collaborative leadership.

People matter and VA believe that organisations must ensure their approach to people management does not put any group or individual at a disadvantage. Valuing the diversity of thoughts, ideas and ways of working that people from different cultures, experiences and identities bring to an organisation has huge business benefits. It helps people grow and learn, to reach their full potential, improve decision-making, boosts engagement and innovation, and enables businesses to better meet the needs of their customer.

Research has repeatedly shown clear correlation between gender diversity in leadership and business performance. Organisations with greater than average gender diversity have higher return on equity, higher operating profit and higher stock price. There are also correlations with organisational agility, quality and speed of decision making and problem solving. It’s not simply the presence of women that create these positive results, it’s the balanced presence of men and women. The diversity brings different perspectives which results in wiser and better outcomes.

Organisational Development is the practice of adapting, improving and evolving an organisation so that it can grow or advance. People and culture lie at its core and determine how effective, competitive and sustainable organisations are.

For VA, Organisational Development is an holistic approach to implementing strategy and improving organisational effectiveness with the full involvement and release of the talents and energy of its people.

We see more and more organisations employing executive coaches. As businesses become more complex, more people will turn to coaching to deal with key business issues for support in understanding how to act in today’s fast-paced and fiercely competitive business environment. Leaders are increasingly expected to do ever more with ever less. Our approach involves a close engagement with the client organisation to explore and fully understand the context within which the coaching relationship fits. The right match is absolutely key to success.

We develop and coach teams in the context of their organisation to understand their unique challenges – their commission, their collective purpose and how they will work together, as a team and with other stakeholders, to deal with these demands.

Developing your managers is essential for organisational success. It involves equipping managers with the skills and mindset needed to inspire their teams, navigate challenges, and achieve KPI’s. Key areas of focus include enhancing communication and interpersonal skills, developing the ability to guide people through change, and mastering performance management techniques. Effective manager development programs also emphasise emotional intelligence, problem-solving, decision-making, and the ability to foster inclusivity and engagement within teams. By investing in their growth, organisations empower managers who align with company values and culture, and contribute meaningfully to business objectives.

Facilitation support plays a crucial role in driving effective collaboration and achieving meaningful outcomes in group settings. Our skilled facilitators guide discussions, ensuring that every voice is heard and that conversations remain focused on objectives. They create a structured environment where ideas can flow freely, challenges are addressed constructively, and decisions are made efficiently. By managing group dynamics and fostering inclusivity, facilitation support helps teams navigate complex issues, align on shared goals, and build stronger relationships. Ultimately, it empowers organisations to harness the collective expertise and creativity of their people, leading to better strategies and sustained success.

Organisations need to be agile to thrive in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing environment. Agility allows businesses to respond quickly to shifts in market demands, technological advancements, and competitive landscapes, enabling them to stay ahead. By fostering a culture of adaptability and innovation, agile organisations can embrace challenges as opportunities, delivering greater value to customers and stakeholders. Furthermore, agility enhances collaboration and decision-making, empowering teams to pivot efficiently and maintain resilience in uncertain times. Simply put, being agile is no longer just an advantage—it’s a necessity for long-term success and relevance