The Emerging Leader Series: Modern Leadership for Complex Times
Move beyond traditional command-and-control leadership. Our experiential program develops the skills to foster collective intelligence, coach for growth, and build resilient teams in today's fast-paced environment.
Start Your Leadership Journey
Our Training Philosophy
Leadership is a practice, not a theory. Our experiential approach ensures participants learn by doing in a psychologically safe environment.
80/20 Rule
At least 80% of program time dedicated to participant interaction, simulations, and peer coaching based on real-world challenges.
Facilitator as Guide
Expert guidance through powerful questions and psychological safety, not stale answers or lectures.
Peer-to-Peer Learning
Leverage collective wisdom in the room - participants learn as much from each other as from curriculum.
Action-Oriented
Every module concludes with specific, actionable commitments to apply new skills immediately in the workplace.
The Five Core Modules
Each module can be delivered standalone or as part of a comprehensive leadership journey
Leading with Collective Intelligence
Target Audience: Emerging leaders, cross-functional managers, senior ICs
Key Topics
- What is Collective Intelligence? Why now?
- The shift from Hero to Host leadership
- Creating psychological safety and inclusive dialogue
- Shared decision-making frameworks (e.g., Advice Process)
Experiential Activities
- Group Sensing Exercise: Non-verbal activity to identify and cluster team challenges
- Hero vs. Host Roleplay: Experience directive vs. facilitative leadership styles
Learning Outcomes
Learn to facilitate collaboration, foster trust, and unlock team's collective potential
Leading with Strengths & Identity
Target Audience: First-time managers, individual contributors, high-potential talent
Key Topics
- Understanding strength-based leadership
- Discovering individual strengths through guided reflection
- Defining a personal leadership identity and brand
- Applying strengths to decision-making and team contribution
Experiential Activities
- Peak Moment Mapping: Connect past successes with core personal strengths
- Peer Coaching for Leadership Statements: Articulate authentic leadership philosophy
Learning Outcomes
Increased self-awareness, greater leadership confidence, and clear leadership statement
Coaching Skills for People Managers
Target Audience: Managers, Scrum Masters, Agile Coaches, HRBPs
Key Topics
- The difference between managing, mentoring, and coaching
- Core coaching skills: Deep listening and powerful questions
- Proven coaching frameworks: GROW and Agile Retrospectives
- Applying a coaching stance in feedback conversations
Experiential Activities
- Listening Triads: Develop deep listening skills by removing problem-solving impulse
- GROW Model Roleplay: Coach each other on real-world challenges
Learning Outcomes
Adopt growth-oriented mindset and develop fluency in everyday coaching interactions
Team Dynamics Under Pressure
Target Audience: Cross-functional teams, delivery teams, project managers
Key Topics
- Analogies from high-performance teams (F1, ER doctors)
- Common failure points for teams in crisis
- Critical roles of role clarity, psychological safety, shared ownership
- Proactive strategies for building team resilience
Experiential Activities
- Crisis Simulation: High-pressure scenario revealing team dynamics under stress
- Role Clarity Mapping: Uncover and resolve responsibility gaps within teams
Learning Outcomes
Become more self-aware, develop conflict prevention strategies, perform effectively under pressure
Feedback & Feedforward for Growth
Target Audience: All people managers, team leads, Agile teams
Key Topics
- Why traditional feedback fails and what works instead
- Feedforward: A simple tool for future-focused, positive change
- Frameworks for safe and effective conversations (SBI, COIN)
- Embedding feedback rituals into team culture
Experiential Activities
- SBI & Feedforward Pairs: Practice balanced feedback with forward-looking solutions
- Team Feedback Ritual Design: Create lightweight, sustainable feedback ceremonies
Learning Outcomes
Build stronger communication loops, foster team maturity, create culture of growth
Your Facilitator & Guide
Sami Balasundaram is a certified Agile SAFe coach and former Head of PMO with over 27 years of IT leadership experience. He has led multiple Collective Leadership Programs, coached Scrum Masters and managers, and is passionate about enabling emerging leaders to thrive in complex environments.
Real-World Experience
Extensive practical experience ensures content is immediately applicable, relevant, and grounded in real-world leadership challenges.
Flexible Delivery Options
Choose the format that works best for your organization and participants
Full-Day Workshops
5-6 hour in-person intensive sessions
Half-Day Virtual
3-4 hour online interactive sessions
Single Modules
Individual workshops on specific topics
Complete Series
Full 5-module leadership journey
Who Will Benefit?
Ideal for organizations building a strong leadership pipeline
First-Time & Emerging Managers
New to leadership roles and seeking modern approaches
High-Potential ICs
Senior individual contributors being groomed for management
Scrum Masters & Project Managers
Cross-functional leaders managing complex teams
HR & L&D Professionals
Building leadership development toolkits and pipelines
Ready to Build Your Next Generation of Leaders?
Move beyond outdated training and build the resilient, effective leaders your organization needs to win.