Leading in Uncertainty

Practical tools for uncertain times

Sea of uncertainity

In today’s fast-changing and complex public services, leadership requires more than just vision. It demands practical skills and capabilities that enable leaders to navigate through uncertainty with confidence and resilience; it requires system leadership.

This is where The Staff College’s new ” Leading in Uncertainty “ programme comes into play.

This is an intensive 3-day hybrid programme which includes a 2- day residential in between and introductory and final half-day virtual workshop. The programme is designed to equip leaders and managers at all levels with mental models and tools needed to thrive and lead in unpredictable environments.

Leading in Uncertainity Applications

Explore our current programme offers, Cohort 1 now open for notes of interest
2026

Here's why investing your time in this programme is a worthwhile endeavour

Join us for “Practical Tools for Uncertain Times” and empower yourself with the skills to lead effectively, no matter what the future holds.

Embrace the opportunity to transform uncertainty into a catalyst for growth and innovation.

Sessions

Session 1: Connected leadership

This session will introduce key concepts from whole systems thinking and will explore ideas for leading change of complex issues. You will be introduced to, and will be given, the Staff College’s bespoke VUCA approach and toolkit.

Session 2: Leading in a Political Environment

In this session, we will consider how leadership behaviours shape culture and offer some tools for working in a political environment and improving your political intelligence.

Session 3: Planning for the Future: Children’s Futures Matter

In this session, we will use the Staff College’s scenario planning toolkit, “Children’s Futures Matter”. Using a whole family approach, this session will help us identify ways to strategically plan for the long-term for children within short term election and financial cycles.

Session 4: Reframing challenges - Don't think of an Elephant!

Frames are mental structures that shape the way we see the world. As a result, they shape the goals we seek, the plans we make, the way we act, and what counts as a good or bad outcome of our actions. This session will introduce us to practical ways to re-frame the challenges you face in your role.

Session 5: Managing Change In Human Services

This session offers practical ways to support your team to understand and work through change. Guided by the ‘Change House’ mental model, this session will introduce key concepts from whole systems thinking and will explore ideas for leading change of complex issues.

Session 6: Communication and conflict handling styles

Conflict is any situation in which your concerns or desires differ from those of another person, according to Thomas and Kilman; an inevitability when working in complex systems with multiple perspectives. This session will explore your approach to conflict and develop your conflict handling styles.

Who should apply?

This programme is highly relevant to anyone working in public services at any managerial and leadership level. Whether you work in children’s services, health, education or social work you will find this programme will provide practical support for you in your role.

Next Steps

Send an email to [email protected] to register interest.