Monash Foundations of Leadership - PDB1138

Foundations of Leadership is a practical, evidence-based program designed to help you lead with greater clarity, confidence and impact. You will develop deeper self-awareness, strengthen your ability to build trust and influence, and learn how to communicate more effectively in complex workplace situations. The course focuses on real leadership challenges, such as giving feedback, managing conflict and aligning people to shared goals - equipping you with tools you can apply immediately in your role. You will leave with clear insights into your leadership strengths and a focused plan for continued growth.

This program supports you to understand how your leadership style is experienced by others and how to adapt your approach to different personalities, motivations and contexts. You will explore the distinction between leadership, management and followership, and learn when to consciously shift between these mindsets to achieve better outcomes.

Through practical frameworks and evidence-based strategies, you will build skills in trust and influence, effective feedback, communication styles and constructive conflict management. The course also introduces agile leadership principles, helping you lead change with flexibility while maintaining accountability and psychological safety.

A strong focus is placed on leadership in action. You will practise motivational coaching conversations, clarify when to delegate and when to direct, and learn how to set clear performance goals that foster genuine commitment. Throughout the program, you will be supported to integrate your learning into a personalised development plan, creating a targeted pathway for ongoing leadership growth beyond the course.

At a glance

Fees

A$4,250 including GST

Who should attend

Participants typically include new team leaders, supervisors and managers who want to build credibility, strengthen relationships and develop the confidence and mindset required to lead effectively in complex organisational environments.

This course is designed for newly-promoted, first-level and early-career managers who are stepping into leadership for the first time. It is ideal for professionals transitioning from individual contributor roles into positions where they are responsible for leading people, influencing outcomes and navigating competing priorities.

What you will learn

You will develop a strong foundation in core leadership capabilities, grounded in evidence-based practice. The program builds your self-awareness and helps you understand how your leadership style is perceived by others. You will learn how to build trust and influence, communicate effectively, give and receive feedback, manage conflict and align teams to shared goals. The course also focuses on applying leadership versus management mindsets, leading change with agility, creating psychological safety and accountability, and coaching for performance and development. You will leave with practical tools you can use immediately and a clear, personalised development pathway.

Program structure

Learning begins with a comprehensive 360-degree feedback tool to personalise your development journey and 4 weeks of online learning. Participants will then attend in-person workshops run over three immersive days at the Monash Conference Centre. The program combines expert facilitation, practical activities, reflection, peer learning and personalised coaching to support deep learning and real-world application.

Testimonials

"This course provided an opportunity to become in tune with my own strengths as a leader, then see how I could improve and shape my capacity when I return to my workplace. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the networking that has ensued."

"Monash and particularly Martin developed a truly well planned and executed schedule that will become leadership learnings for a lifetime. It is a rare opportunity to develop such skills and better understand what role you play in the lives of those you work with and lead. I am very grateful for the experience and knowledge."

"I found the program incredibly insightful, particularly in helping me distinguish between leadership and management. It also gave me a much clearer understanding of how my personality traits intersect with my leadership style. The program has taught me how to approach situations with greater self-awareness and confidence."

Dr Martin Boult

Martin Boult

Martin is an organisational psychologist with more than 25 years’ experience as a psychologist, consultant, manager and researcher in executive leadership and organisational psychology. He began his career as a clinical neuropsychologist and now works with leaders and teams across public and private sector organisations in Australia and internationally.

He partners with executives, boards and emerging leaders to strengthen interpersonal capability, lead change, manage team dynamics and build emotional resilience. An associate faculty member in Executive Education and MBA programs, Martin is known for his engaging, evidence-based and psychologically safe facilitation style.

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