IoL launches Special Interest Groups to give members a stronger voice in the leadership conversation
The Institute of Leadership is launching a new programme of Special Interest Groups (SIGs), creating dedicated spaces for members and Fellows to connect around shared professional interests, exchange expertise and help shape the Institute’s wider work.
Launching in September, the Special Interest Groups will bring together members of the Institute who share an interest in particular areas of leadership practice, experience or professional development.
The initiative will initially launch with two groups: Young Leaders and Coaching. Each group will provide a dedicated forum for members and Fellows to share experiences, challenge thinking and learn from the perspectives of others across the Institute’s diverse leadership community.
The SIGs are open to Institute Members and Fellows with an interest in the relevant topic. The Young Leaders SIG will also be open to Student Associates and University members, recognising that leadership journeys can begin well before someone moves into a formal leadership role.
The Young Leaders SIG will be hosted by Institute Chair and Trustee Emrys Green, while the Coaching SIG will be hosted by Deputy Chair and Trustee Oliver Rendell.
Speaking on the launch, Emrys Green commented:
"Supporting leaders at every stage of their journey is important, and being new to leadership can be daunting. I look forward to the Young Leaders SIG breaking down barriers to leadership, providing tailored support and peer resources. Whether you’ve just started, are aspiring to leadership, or are someone dedicated to supporting the next leaders, this will be a space for you."
Oliver Rendell said:
"I’m really looking forward to leading the Coaching SIG and creating a space where coaches, leaders and those curious about coaching can learn from one another. I believe great coaching can transform the way we lead, not by having all the answers, but by creating the space for people to think, grow and find their own."
Importantly, the Special Interest Groups are designed to be member-led. Rather than simply providing a space for discussion, the SIGs will give participants an active role in determining the issues and questions they want to explore.
The first meeting of each SIG will be shaped by the relevant Chair and The Institute, with a topic selected to help get the group started. From then on, members will help determine the focus of future meetings, allowing conversations to evolve around the issues, challenges and opportunities that matter most to the group.
For example, discussions within the Young Leaders SIG could explore issues around developing confidence as a new leader, navigating the transition into leadership, or breaking down barriers to progression.
The Coaching SIG could explore different approaches to coaching, the role of coaching in leadership development, or the challenges faced by coaches and leaders. However, these are not fixed agendas; the groups themselves will decide what they want to discuss and explore.
All SIG meetings will take place online, making it possible for members and Fellows from across the Institute’s community to participate. Meetings will take place every 12 weeks, providing a regular opportunity for members to connect, exchange ideas and continue conversations between meetings.
Members and Fellows will be able to suggest and shape discussion topics, contribute perspectives from their sectors and communities, share their professional experience and bring ideas and insights into the Institute’s wider work and research.
Over time, participants will also have the opportunity to vote for their SIG chair, giving members a direct role in determining the future direction and priorities of their group.
The launch reflects the Institute’s commitment to putting its membership at the heart of its work and recognising the breadth of expertise within its community. By bringing people together around areas they care about, the SIGs will create opportunities for quality peer connection while helping the Institute develop a richer understanding of the issues, opportunities and challenges facing leaders today.
Rachel Mullings, membership manager at the IoL said:
“Our members and Fellows represent an extraordinary breadth of leadership experience, expertise and perspective. The Special Interest Groups are about creating the space for that expertise to be shared and, importantly, for our members to have a genuine voice in shaping the conversations we have as an Institute.
Whether someone is at the beginning of their leadership journey or has decades of experience to share, there is value in bringing people together around the issues that matter to them. We want these groups to be practical, open and member-led, sparking conversation that extends beyond the group itself and contributes to the Institute’s wider thinking and research.”
How to get involved
Special Interest Groups are an exclusive benefit for Institute of Leadership members and Fellows, with the Young Leaders SIG also open to Student Associates and University members.
Active members, Fellows, Student Associates and University members are invited to join a group that reflects their interests and contribute to the conversations that will shape its future.
To find out more about the Special Interest Groups or register your interest in joining, contact [email protected].
The Institute will share further information about upcoming SIG activity with members in the coming weeks.