Graduates of four years of the EOLI leadership programme reunite to share in a day of transformation and learning
A recent reunion of graduates of the Eliot Osrin Leadership Institute’s (EOLI) Leadership Development Programme from four Cohort years (2018-2024) saw a large number of emerging and existing leaders from our community coming together to share experiences, to learn and to engage.
According to Viv Anstey, the Director of EOLI, “EOLI’s flagship bi-annual MBA level Leadership Development Programme (LDP) offers its Cohorts a wide and deep dive into leadership skills, tools, community context, building a network, all to future-proof our local Jewish community. Bringing past LDP graduates together with the most recent participants served to layer up our purpose as EOLI, to lift, support, and carry one another in these challenging times, while being exposed to new and innovative models that refresh our leadership styles early in the new year.”
The day was dedicated to building resolve and resilience to better serve and heal in the various roles that graduates play within Jewish community organisations. “Our lengthy planning runway gave the expanded EOLI team time to co-create, curate and design a transformative and immersive day, filled with reconnections, reflections and meaningful engagements,” Viv says.
The day was structured around sessions geared to be thought-provoking, creative, self-reflective and energising. Teamwork was the focus of the icebreaker at the start of the day. It involved a Chef’s Challenge exercise, which proved to be great fun, while people got to meet one another and also reconnect. Another session – PowerShare – was designed as Ted-Style-Talks, spotlighting nine graduates’ superpowers that define their leadership qualities.
These discussions were followed by four elective sessions, providing the participants with the opportunity to attend the topic of their choice. Options were:
- A spiritual gratitude practice
- Exposure to tools and processes for tough and honest conversations
- The Art of Transforming, using clay and art in a mindful practice
- A focus on Tango Dance through the lens of leading and following with grace.
The closing session covered numerous subjects around Table Talks, including EOLI’s role now and in the future; what we see and are required to do around community opportunities and challenges; the tough conversations that must be aired in the community; and our much-anticipated community-wide November Leadership InGathering.
Abigail Smith, EOLI team member, commented that, “The EOLI Reunion provided a space to reflect and review the growth and development that the EOLI leadership development programme offers our community through its graduates. It was a privilege to witness hard conversations interwoven with personal growth, a testament to what the programme delivers.”
International facilitators who were involved in planning and in the day’s proceedings, Torsten and Katharina, commented that, “Working with the team, it was a pleasure to see how team collaboration evolved throughout the process. We are grateful for the openness and trust to contribute to this incredible event.” ●
I loved the out-the-box, stimulating venue, the YoungBlood Gallery! Simply being in a new, creative space helps one to think differently and more laterally. – Karen Tollman, 2020 Cohort
The venue choice was perfect for encouraging creative thinking and the ‘learn through play’ elements of the day. Hajiera Safiedien-Maloon, 2022 Cohort
For more information on The Eliot Osrin Leadership Institute visit: www.osrinleadership.org
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