Who Leads the Leaders?
Why Leadership & Management Skills Matter More Than Ever…
Samantha McKenna, Director of School: Business, Health & Uniformed Services at Preston College says: “Without people who can lead teams, manage performance, make good decisions and turn strategy into action, much of an organisation’s potential can remain unrealised.
As Lancashire businesses invest in technology, productivity and workforce development, effective Leadership & Management remains fundamental to organisational success. Recognised as priority skills need in the latest Lancashire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), strong leadership is essential to sustainable growth, enabling organisations to develop their people, navigate change and deliver organisational objectives.
But who leads the leaders? Moving into a leadership and management role can be one of the biggest transitions an employee makes. Suddenly, success is no longer determined solely by their own performance. They are expected to motivate others, delegate effectively, manage difficult conversations, address underperformance, and lead teams through change.
At the same time, political, social, technological and economic factors increasingly shape the leadership landscape, influencing how leaders engage, communicate and connect with their employees. Artificial intelligence, automation, sustainability and digital transformation are changing how organisations operate. Managers don’t simply need to understand these changes, they need the leadership capability to support and take people with them on the journey to success.
Samantha adds: “The challenge isn’t to provide more management training. It’s to develop the right leadership capabilities, in the right people, for the right reasons. There is a real need for development within leadership and management to ensure the success of organisations, to retain staff and nurture talent.”
In response to this need, Preston College offers a range of Level 3 and Level 5 leadership and management programmes, providing flexible development opportunities for both individuals and employers. The offer includes two distinct ILM Leadership & Management pathways, alongside specialist qualifications in Coaching & Mentoring and Artificial Intelligence in Leadership Practice.
Looking ahead, the focus for organisations must be on creating clear leadership pathways at every level. Early identification of potential, structured development opportunities and ongoing support can help build a resilient leadership pipeline that reflects the evolving needs of the business. By embedding leadership development into organisational culture, rather than treating it as a one-off intervention, Lancashire employers can ensure they are not only prepared for current challenges but are also equipped to navigate future uncertainty with confidence.
To find out how Preston College’s ILM Leadership & Management programmes can support your own development or strengthen leadership capability across your organisation, contact Giulia D’Ambrosio on gambrosio@preston.ac.uk or visit our website for further course details HERE.
Alternatively, join us for our Employer Breakfast on Friday 4 December at Preston College, 8.30am to 10am.
Discover how Preston College can support your organisation to develop future leaders at our upcoming Employer Breakfast, Developing Leaders, Strengthening Business.
Join us for a morning of networking, insights and conversation as we introduce our new suite of ILM Leadership & Management qualifications, explore tailored workforce development opportunities and welcome our new Principal & Chief Executive, Kate Wallace.
Connect with fellow Lancashire employers, meet our team and discover how we can help your business build the leadership skills needed for future success.
Find out More and Reserve your place today!
