This page contains testimonials for the Centre’s three areas of practice: Authentic Leadership | Innovative Strategy | Facilitation and Coaching. Cick the logo to go back to the start page of the Centre.
Authentic Leadership
Chris Lamers, Head of Customer Engagement, Loyalty New Zealand (Fly Buys), attended an in-house Authentic Leadership Workshop June 2011
Stephen and the Centre for Innovative Leadership is one of the best investments you will make. The better your people lead and the better you lead, the better organisation will perform in different trading environments. This is more important than ever.
Katherine O’Connor, Brand Engagement Manager, Loyalty New Zealand attended an in-house Authentic Leadership Workshop June 2011
Doing the Authentic Leadership Workshop as a whole team is fantastic. It’s given us insights and learnings for how we can work best together and leader the wider team.
Kay Mooney, Key Account Manager, Loyalty New Zealand, attended an in-house Authentic Leadership Workshop, June 2011
Fantastic workshop to ground a team and provide insights on the strengths and needs of all to drive future team success.
Juliet Jensen, GM Digital Channels, TVNZ, attended the Authentic Leadership Course, November 2010
The Authentic Leadership Course provided more than you could imagine. Throughout the week you are coaxed along a journey of self discovery and empowerment covering all areas of life. The end result provides a base from which to launch not just an inspiring leader, but an individual who can fulfil their true potential in all life’s facets. I should know – it happened to me!
Phil Muir, Deputy Principal, Manurewa High School, attended the Authentic Leadership Course May 2010
The course highlighted my individual weaknesses and taught me how to turn these into empowering strengths. Includes a great range of activities, many of which highlight individual’s differences and how they should be managed to create harmonious, productive working teams. A life-altering quality programme with incredible depth. I have never experienced anything like this – engaging, challenging, inspiring and innovative.
Walter Pswarayi, Continuous Improvement Manager, The Warehouse Ltd,attended the Authentic Leadership Course, February-March 2010
In my language, there is a saying that goes “Mazano marairanwa”, translated it means “words of wisdom are there to be shared”. This was truly a journey where wisdom that rests in all of us was given a chance to shine and grow. No words can fully describe the experience. All one can say is “amazing and great”. It was great to know that true leadership comes from within.
Kurt Smith, Manager Programme & Portfolio Management Office, Manukau City Council, attended the Authentic Leadership Course, November 2009
You have created something very special and exciting in putting this course together. Never lose that underlying belief that when it comes down to it, all anybody really wants is to be themselves and have others see them as themselves. I would highly recommend this course to any leaders interested in stepping up to the next level through better understanding of themselves and others.
Ashok Sudhakaran, Procurement Manager, SKYCITY,attended the Authentic Leadership Course June 2011.
For me, the course was a journey to self awareness and understanding why people are different. The individual coaching helped immensely in funneling my own ideas into actionable points. Best of all, the team was great and we all had great fun.
Valery Feign, Professor of Epidemiology and Neurology, Director of the National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences, AUT University,attended the Authentic Leadership Course June 2011
This is one of the most important courses I ever undertook in my professional career. I would highly recommend this course to all leaders.
Mark Dunmore, Bank of New Zealand attened the Wisdom Retreat for Senior Leaders 2011
The Wisdom Retreat has provided me with rich and diverse insight that I can now customise and take forward as part of my leadership journey. A great springboard for growth.
Wilson Irons, Anglican Trust for Women and Children, attended Wisdom Retreat for Senior Leaders, November 2011
I am pleased to be able to recommend the work of AUT Centre for Innovative Leadership. The Centre is focussed on growth of the whole person, rather than it’s individual parts. This is achieved by having an interactive programme, with both centre and classroom based activities. I will recommend this course to others.
Sam Irvine, General Manager, Freeview Ltd, attended the Wisdom Retreat for Senior Leaders 2011
The retreat enables you with skills and time to make decisions and choices that will have a significant impact on your business and on you as an individual.
David Foley, Manager, Employers and Manufacturer’s Association attended Wisdom Retreat for Senior Leaders 2011
Four days for a lifelong pathway is the most valuable investment I have made.
Innovative Strategy
Ashok Sudhakaran, Procurement Manager, SKYCITY, attended the Strategic Thinking for Leaders 2-day workshop June 2011
Very useful course, really helped by providing tools for making strategic thinking more straightforward.
Dawn Hutchesson, Manager, AUT’s CoLab creative technologies laboratory,attended the Strategic Thinking for Leaders 2-day workshop June 2011
This workshop was an important step in my personal and professional development by giving me tools that I can use and apply in my career. I would recommend this to anyone at any stage in their working life as a reminder there is always room to grow and learn in life.
Robin Alden, CEO, iMonitor,attended Module 1 of the Innovative Leaders GM Programme May 2011
The course is an exceptional way for me to grow on a personal level and at a professional level in a supportive environment.
David Andrews, Manager Planning and Risk Assurance, Maritime New Zealand,attended Module 1 of the Innovative Leaders GM Programme 2011
The reality of this experience put all the theory into practice immediately. I felt fully immersed in the leadership experience.
Matthew Gillies, CEO, Transfleet
Matthew Gillies, CEO, Transfleet, attended the Strategic Thinking for Leaders 2-day workshop June 2011
WOW! This AUT programme has the right balance of theory and practical tools. A must for those who seek to challenge existing mental models and wish to effect leadership in the workplace.
Nigel Sallis, New Zealand General Manager, Widex New Zealand,attended Module 1 of the Innovative Leaders GM Programme May 2011
Whether you come with experience or without, from a business background or not, there is something for anyone involved in business on this course.
Zoe Timbrell, Conferences and Events Portfolio Manager, Employers and Manufacturer’s Association,attended Module 1 of the Innovative Leaders GM Programme May 2011
Very thought provoking. Amazing opportunity to work with real business for strategic vision.
Carol Palmer, Centre Manager Raroera Te Puawai, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa,is attending a tailored ECC Small Business Management Programme 2011
Module 1:
Today has been confirmation of a lot of what I do as leader however it has provided tools that I can utilise with my team, whanau and Te Wānanga Aotearoa e.g. being reflective about who I am as a leader will enable others to become leaders.
Module 2:
The work undertaken thus far will enable me to support staff in growing their knowledge in the roles as teachers which will inevitably reflect in the overall performance of the business in terms of my role as centre manager. It will empower me by giving me the tools that will make Raroera Te Puawai a thriving centre with a long term outlook – and eventually a stand alone centre.
Module 3:
The material has/will benefit the growth and development of the team through giving insight on how best to manage a range of situations as in customer service – who are our customers – to emotional management. Thank you for another enlightening 2 days.
Fiona Barrington, General Manager Learning & Development, ASB Bank attended Strategic Thinking for Leaders 2-day workshop September 2010
Learning at its best. Engaged people throwing around real issues and problems, using models and skills to further our understanding and getting quality thinking.
John Gardiner, Director, Woods attended Strategic Thinking for Leaders 2 -day Workshop June 2010
An excellent course for delivering tools to get to root of problems and methods for aiding resolution. Invaluable.
Mere Ngapa, Centre Manager, Te Rau Oriwa, Tokoroa, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa,attended Module 3 of the Small Business Management 2-day Programme October 2011
Module 1:
I would definitely recommend this facility to other oragnisations in my community.
Module 2:
The work that is offered and presented is impeccable and important for people looking at leadership roles and responsibilities. Delivery is very professional and reciprocal. The team is respectful of one’s culture and allows for one to practice cultural activities. Definitely a course for team building for my staff and I would recommend for other organisations to take up the challenge.
Module 3:
The Myers-Briggs report has definitely helped me understand why I do what I do. This is the only time I have done this exercise and I believe a lot of other organisations should be doing this especially people who are entrusted with the care of children. A lot of teachers need people skills as do their leaders (principals).
Kirsty Cuthers, Centre Manager, Ngā Kākano o te Mānuka, Mangere, is attending a tailored ECC Small Business Management Programme 2011
Module 1:
This induction process was very relaxing, enjoyable, fun, versatile, flexible and very organised. The facilitators were very warm, respectful,friendly and delivered through a brief tikanga Māori. This makes me excited and empowered to know more about this course. Ngā mihi mei aroha kia a kouhou kāhā.
Module 2:
The 2-day session of learning these tools has added another piece of knowledge to my kete where I can share and practice. I liked all my topics and enjoyed the debate and discussion shared. I am excited to implement the new tools in my centre whereby I am able to provide and support others through this process of learning.
Module 3:
Ngā mihimi kia Stephen rāua ko Tamara for a warm, caring, safe lessons and for their vakuable time we have showed together. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and will definitely take back what I have learnt which will certainly benefit and grow my team as well as myself. Thank you!
Robin Alden, Director iMonitor Research,attended Module 3 of the Innovative Leaders GM Programme September 2011
Good Job! The best training course, with the best people and the best coach.
Hinemoa Pohatu, Centre Manager, Apakura te Kākano, Te Awamutu,Te Wānanga o Aotearoa,is attending a tailored Small Business Management Programme 2011
Module 1:
Facilities welcoming and very organised, interpretive ‘on-line Report” very impressive wonderful innovative speakers very professional and enjoyable to listen to. Great kai. Highly Recommended.
Module 2:
We will provide an environment which will nirture the holistic development of tamareki within a Kaupapa Māori setting, ensuring high quality care and education is evident throughout this journey to provide competent and confident leaders of tomorrow!
Module 3:
The workshops provided by our AUT facilitators allowed our managers to share, reflect and listen to the likely scenarios that are relevant to our job roles and provide insight to the complex characteristics of the people we work with.
Andrew Kemp, Logistics Commercial & Development Manager, The Warehouse Ltd The Warehouse Ltd attended the Module 3, Innovative Leaders GM Programme, September 2011
Keep it real – I was originally nervous that we wouldn’t be able to do justice with three case studies – I was wrong – more experiential learning.
Nigel Sallis, New Zealand General Manager, Widex NZ Ltd,attended Module 3 of the Innovative Leaders GM Programme September 2011
Great to work as one team. Case studies are always the best learning opportunity.A special location creates a great learning opportunity.
Warwick Morehu. Inspector, Community Engagement Manager, Counties Manukau Police, attended the Strategic Thinking workshop November 2011
If you are looking to be an effective, well-rounded leader, you need this stuff.
Richard England, Channel Design Manager, Telecom attended the Strategic Thinking Workshop November 2011
Strategic Thinking for Leaders provided some immidiately useful tools and frameworks to understand long-standing organisational issues at a higher level than the day to day.
Anand Naidu, Oragnizational Development Advisor, Auckland Transport attended the Strategic Thinking for Leaders workshop November 2011
Strategic Thinking for Leaders gave me great insight in lifting my way of thinking outside the square and to look at the big picture. I thoroughly enjoyed the course. Thank you Stephen, Richard and Mahvash.
Laurie Culpan, Senior Seargent , Counties Manukau Police attended the Strategic Thinking for Leaders workshop November 2011
The course provided an opportunity for developing my strategic thinking with a cross section of business and government agencies.
Facilitation and Coaching
James MacPhee, National Manager, Equipment Finance, Bank of New Zealand, attended a Story Telling workshop May 2011
Excellent workshop! Really thought provoking and a must for all to kick your brain into gear around the age old art of story telling and how you can incorporate it into your daily work life.
Jean Avery, Trustee and HRM Consultant, Restorative Justice Waitakere,attended a Governance Workshop run for Restorative Justice Waitakere May 2011
I attended this four-hour workshop as a newly elected Trustee of a Community Group. This experience has given me insight and understanding of my role plus the opportunity to work constructively with my colleagues. Stephen’s facilitation style was excellent. Thank you.
John Birkin, Facilities Administrator, AUT North Shore Facilities
John Birkin, Facilities Manager, AUT North Shore Facilities lead team attended the MBTI half-day workshop, February 2011Stephen makes you think about what is going on not only in your life but those you work and live with. The MBTI workshop is a great tool in helping us understand that we are all different but all have a place in life we all need each other.
Reece MacDonald, Senior Partner, Bank of New Zealand
Reece MacDonald, Senior Partner, Bank of New Zealand, attended a Story Telling workshop, May 2011A very refreshing insight into genuine leadership that will totally engage the team.
Vanessa Henry – Department Manager, The Warehouse Ltd
Vanessa Henry – Department Manager, The Warehouse Ltd attended a Team Building day with MBTIA great course, great facilitators!! Walked in with “the blinds down” and walked out with the blinds up and the sun shining in. Thank you.
Aaron Greene – GM Logistics, The Warehouse Ltd
I have used Stephen Drain for leadership development with my leadership team. The process used enabled us each to gain personal insights into our style and to understand each other at a much deeper level as a team. Stephen’s positive approach quickly built trust with the team which enabled us to quickly address the things that mattered. Stephen’s genuine passion to make a difference with the team came through over the 2 days which whilst structured was also flexible enough to adjust to allow key issues to be flushed out and addressed. The team certainly warmed to Stephen’s approach and as such we continue to use Stephen as a key consult as part of our team development
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