Susan Dennison

Principal Mataura School

So many gold moments and breakthroughs

We are a rural town primary school with a diverse community. The challenges I face as a leader is to keep us all moving forward in the same direction; and to keep people looking at the positive, the bigger picture, and each other’s strengths - especially with a large group of women! It transpired the InsideOut Leading programme was better value for money than the one day course I wanted to take.

What was even more attractive was knowing - from earlier personal development experiences - that new learning over a period of time has a more lasting effect. There were so many gold moments and breakthroughs. Firstly, taking greater control over the quality of my energy and how that radiates and influences others.  Simple and makes a difference. It’s also been eye-opening to put self-care into the mix more. And to know that I have skills and a leadership package that can be useful in other areas. This programme has given me a better understanding of ME and what I can do to literally keep easy momentum effortlessly.

It has also provided a platform to take new ideas to staff, communicate and engage with them in a new way.  Recommend this to all leaders who are forward thinking-focused and want to be clearly understood. You gain such an insight into your strengths and how you can use these to empower people around you.

Sarah O'Connor

Aria School, King Country

It is important that you are in a positive frame of mind.

I am a second year beginning teacher in a small country school (Aria) in the King Country. Leadership at school mainly involves leading my classroom (students) however, with a small staff; we each take on wider school responsibilities. As I gain confidence in my profession, I hope to be given greater leadership opportunities.

I heard about the Inside-Out Leadership course through my Dad, who values the importance of leadership. At first, I was not sure if I was worthy to take this course as I am young and am not managing adults. After reading the website, peoples stories and getting in touch with Corene, I realised that this course would benefit me and provide strategies for my future. 

There have been a number of ‘breakthroughs’ for me:

• Understanding when you are above or below the line. This makes me reflect on the people around me and my own behaviour. I often catch myself out when I am below the line. I then think and turn my behaviour around so that I am above the line.
• Creating boundaries for myself. I did not realise the importance of having boundaries which allows me to control what I do and not tolerate. Having recognised boundaries has helped me to raise my level of self-worth.

This programme has given me confidence in myself and has helped to raise my self-worth. It has given me strength in a number of ways, which I am grateful for. I now know the difference between an inspiring leader and a leader who is below the line. In the future I would really like to lead a group of people and use the skills I have learned from Inside-Out. I hope to become a great leader!

I would recommend this programme to any person who enjoys learning new skills and wants to better themselves. I have learned that you do not have to already be leading a group of people for example, you are a leader of yourself. It is important that you are in a positive frame of mind which will lead you to success.

Adaleen Griffith

Worth it!

An investment in self that pays dividends on the time and dollars tenfold and more. I've realised the strategies and behaviours that have got me to where I am and they won’t take me to the next level.  I need to step into doing things easier, not harder. Because being more of who I am is so much better – for me and everyone else.

Rebecca Griffith

Awesome way to get out of your head and be able to feel

Learning about yourself in a safe and comfortable environment.  Everything was horse-some! Felt like it went quickly but we covered heaps and there were lots of learnings. With flexibility in the weekend structure, it was super cool to have both Corene and Rosemary there to provide different perspectives.