Professional and short courses
Foundations of Effective Leadership
Whether you are early in your leadership career or already have some experience, these Masterclasses will support your personal and professional development.
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The Foundations of Effective Leadership is a Masterclass series delivered by York Business School. They are designed to develop confident, compassionate and engaging leaders.
York campus
- Course leader – Rachel Martin
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Dates and times
Masterclass 1 – Discover your Best Self using PRINT®
Wednesday 23 September 2026 | 9.30am to 1.00pm
Masterclass 2 – Leading with Confidence and Authenticity
Friday 16 October 2026 | 9.30am to 4.00pm
Masterclass 3 – Building Personal and Team Resilience and Wellbeing
Monday 2 November 2026 | 9.30am to 4.00pm
Masterclass 4 – Holding Courageous Conversations and Delegating with Confidence
Friday 11 December 2026 | 9.30am to 4.00pm
Masterclass 5 – Cultivating a Coaching Culture for Team Engagement
Monday 18 January 2027 | 9.30am to 4.00pm
Course Fees
£200 Per masterclass
£900 All 5 masterclasses (10% discount)
Information
Who are these Masterclasses for?
These Masterclasses are ideal if you are:
- Preparing to step into a new leadership or management role
- Currently lead a team, manage projects or support others and want to strengthen your leadership skills, knowledge and self-confidence
- Looking to invest in your professional development and unlock your leadership potential for the future
What will I learn?
Throughout the series, you will explore your leadership identity and learn how to enhance your communication and coaching capabilities as well as how to create an empowering and psychologically safe team culture.
By the end of the Masterclasses, you will leave with:
- A clearer sense of who you are as a leader and how to demonstrate confidence, presence and purpose
- Improved communication skills and confidence in coaching conversations that encourage growth
- Practical tools to nurture your own wellbeing and lead others with empathy and confidence
- Strategies to communicate clearly, reduce conflict and delegate in a way that builds capability
- The confidence and skills to build a team environment which supports independent thinking and enhanced performance
How will I learn?
Each Masterclass combines evidence-based theories and frameworks with practical skills which can be applied straight away.
To maximise interaction and engagement, Masterclasses are limited to 16 delegates. Sessions include a range of individual and group exercises alongside opportunities to reflect on personal experience and share different perspectives and knowledge.
A workbook will be provided for each Masterclass alongside a post-session copy of PowerPoint slides and a CPD certificate. Additional resources will also be provided to support learning beyond the Masterclass.
When booking Masterclass 1, you will receive a personalised PRINT® report. PRINT® is an advanced leadership development tool highlighting Unconscious Motivators® which influence your leadership practice. While not mandatory, the PRINT® Masterclass is highly recommended and will support learning and insights across the full suite of Masterclasses.
Location
Each Masterclass is facilitated in person at York St John University. Masterclass 1 runs from 9.30am to 1pm and Masterclass 2,3,4 and 5 run from 9.30am to 4pm. Refreshments are provided for each Masterclass.
For organisations with multiple delegates, the Masterclass series can also be facilitated in-house at your organisation. This option is ideal for organisations looking to collectively develop leaders and build a shared leadership culture amongst teams.
Booking
Booking a Masterclass
You can book all 5 Masterclasses and receive a 10% discount, or book individual Masterclasses using the Modules menu.
Modules
Wednesday 23 September 2026 | 9.30am to 1.00pm
Explore what motivates you and influences your leadership practice. Receive a personalised PRINT® report, an advanced leadership development tool. By the end of the Masterclass, you will:
- Identify your Unconscious Motivators® and the underlying drivers behind your thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
- Gain insight into what drives your success as a leader and also behaviours which might limit your effectiveness.
- Recognise your preferred leadership style and how you might adapt your style to meet the needs of others.
While not mandatory, the PRINT® Masterclass is highly recommended and will support learning and insights across the full suite of Masterclasses.
Develop self-awareness, emotional intelligence and confidence to lead with authenticity and impact. By the end of the Masterclass, you will:
- Identify the characteristics of effective leadership and develop your own authentic leadership style
- Increase self-awareness and understand the role of emotional intelligence as the foundation of effective leadership
- Learn strategies to project confidence while communicating and influencing across your organisation
- Raise awareness of imposter syndrome and explore practical strategies to overcome it
Strengthen your personal resilience and wellbeing while learning how to create an environment where
others can thrive. By the end of the Masterclass, you will:
- Increase your awareness of the sources and symptoms of stress.
- Explore the key foundations of wellbeing and identify practical strategies to strengthen
personal resilience. - Understand your role as a compassionate leader and the core behaviours and skills to support others.
- Develop strategies to enhance wellbeing and resilience amongst the team and create psychological safety.
Develop self-confidence and practical skills to navigate courageous conversations and empower others through effective delegation. By the end of the Masterclass, you will:
- Develop the skills and understanding to build rapport and approach courageous conversations
with ease and professionalism - Learn how to prepare for and assertively approach courageous conversations to achieve a positive
outcome - Explore how to adapt leadership style to empower others, while identifying the barriers to effective
delegation - Identify practical strategies to delegate effectively
Create high trust, inclusive environments where teams are engaged, collaborate and flourish. By the end of the Masterclass, you will:
- Build knowledge of how to cultivate a coaching culture to enhance creativity, inclusion and trust
- Learn and apply the components of a Thinking Environment® (Nancy Kline) to improve team communication and enhance positive relationships
- Master expertise in practical applications to lead and engage others and encourage independent
thinking - Develop the skills to design and lead effective meetings to ensure everyone has a voice
Masterclass facilitator
Rachel Martin
Rachel Martin has worked in learning and development for nearly 20 years. As a Senior Lecturer at York St John University, Rachel has led postgraduate modules in leadership, coaching and wellbeing. She has worked extensively with NHS Trusts across Humberside and North Yorkshire, providing bespoke leadership programmes and tailored Masterclasses.
Rachel has now established her own company specialising in leadership development and executive coaching, working with public and private organisations. She remains an Associate Lecturer at York St John University and also works as an Associate for two National organisations.
Rachel has a range of accreditations which underpin her expertise and knowledge:
- MSc Personal and Corporate Coaching
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education
- An Accredited PRINT® Coach
- A Certified Facilitator for Time to Think, Nancy Kline
- An Accredited Real World Group 360º feedback Coach
- A trained Bereavement Support Volunteer for St Leonard’s Hospice for over 6 years
Enquire now
Boost skills, knowledge and confidence with a professional or short course from York St John University. We offer professional learning and development opportunities for teams and individuals, from single sessions to longer courses.
If you have any general queries in the meantime, please use the enquiry form below.
