Jane describes a sparkling and optimistic event celebrating 5 years of our DELTA programme.

For five years, Result has been privileged to design and deliver the Government Skills’ (Cabinet Office) DELTA (Disability Empowers Leadership Talent) programme.

In that time, we have witnessed the transformational power of working with others who share some of our lived experience, and of that experience being heard and valued in coaching sessions and workshops. It has been extraordinary. But even more extraordinary was the opportunity for the very first time to invite graduates of the programme from across all five years to meet for a conference. For that, we have to thank the Learning Framework partner, KPMG, who generously offered to host an event at their Canary Wharf venue.

We always knew that bringing DELTA graduates together was going to be special, but we did not realise quite how exceptional the day would be.

To be as accessible as possible, this was a hybrid event with approximately 60 graduates there in person and 30 online, supported by the inimitable Teresa Wilson. 

There was a total of eight Result associates working on the day – a real team effort – thank you Hormoz, Andy, Rob, Beverley, Kevin, Janice and Teresa! The event was a first in several ways, including the fact that it involved our organisations from three sectors working together – corporate, public and third (not-for-profit). We were lucky to have outstanding support from KPMG’s Shaun Staines, Narinder Sangha and Mansi Goel, and from DELTA’s originator, Charlotte Hart and her Cabinet Office colleagues, Charlotte Hanks, Emma Broadhurst, Kannee Hamilton, Francoise Ghaly, Jennifer Yasmin and Angelica Kiani.

In the afternoon, we were treated to a dazzling keynote speech from Fliss Benée, combining gut-punching honesty with deadpan dark humour and humanity then shared wisdom from the wonderful panel, Simon Gomes, Helen Jeffries, Phil Eskdale-Lord and Claire Murphy.

In their words

The focus of the conference was reviewing progress and success and looking forward together with hope. As such, the graduate participants were at the heart of the event. Their eloquence was astounding. So the best way to convey a sense of the conference is to hand it over to the participants some of whose comments I scribbled down. 

How DELTA felt as a programme

• What was important was that there was someone who understood. Someone to talk to.’
• DELTA offered a welcoming room.
• It gave us time to think about ourselves as leaders with maximum authenticity.
• You (the DELTA community) are a point of power for me.

 Tell your story and value your experience

• DELTA helped me find my voice.
• Own your story when you are ready to share.
• I have learned to tell my story confidently.
• My feelings, my perspective, my exxperience: they cannot be argued with.
• Have the courage to speak out; you are not just advocating for yourself.

 Create a legacy

• Remember: ‘Who would be a leader must be a bridge.’
• Think about new and potential leaders and ask them, ‘What do you need?’
• I love shining a light for people to follow on my path.

 Tips from the top

• Be the last to speak. Listen more, speak less.
• Don’t settle if you are not happy.
• Create psychologically safe spaces. Make sure everyone is understood.
• Try a mantra, ‘If I make the right decisions for me, the impact on others will be good,’
• I realised being me is fine; I am useful.
• Even if you may not change the big things, the small things really matter.
• When you are more senior it is easier to advocate.
• Try less hard and get further. Slow down.
• Be more assertive and establish boundaries.

Finally, a comment which seemed to sum up what was important about this programme and the day when we came together, talking about the leadership the Civil Service needs in very challenging times, 

‘If there is one group with the empathy and determination needed, it is DELTA’.

A big thank you to everyone who made the day such a success. And if this summary of the programme inspires you, let’s talk about how we could provide similar benefits for your organisation.

We are what we do and we love what we do.