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Future Leaders

An 18-month leadership development programme for a group of future world leading scientists and entrepreneurs

Kinetic PD has provided our PhD students with invaluable skills beyond their scientific expertise. The sessions were engaging, fun and delivered in a way that truly resonated with our researchers. The mindset tools they learned will serve them well throughout their careers.

Paolo Actis, Associate Professor

Challenge

The SENTINEL programme, a leading research initiative in single-entity electrochemistry, sought to empower 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) with key skills beyond their technical expertise in science. The goal was to help them develop leadership, resilience, confidence and teamwork—skills that would enhance their performance now and prepare them for future careers as world-class scientists and entrepreneurs. 

 

Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic created additional challenges, isolating the ESRs from colleagues and preventing in-person collaboration. A tailored, engaging training programme was needed to build a sense of unity, provide valuable skills and lift morale during these difficult times.

Robotics Engineers
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Solution

Kinetic PD designed and delivered a bespoke mindset training programme for the ESRs, drawing from elite sport performance and high-performing business practices. The programme was structured around the #MoreThanMedals attitudes—developed through research commissioned by the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust—which highlight the world-class mindsets necessary for success. 

 

The programme comprised six online interactive sessions, focusing on key areas:

 

  • Confidence

  • Resilience

  • Teamwork

  • Focus

  • Motivation

  • Determination

 

Each session featured practical activities, discussions and case studies from elite sport, business and academia. A Kinetic PD trainer, paired with a world-class athlete, facilitated the sessions to provide both real-world business expertise and inspiring insights from someone who has demonstrated a high-performance mindset in sport. 

 

The programme also included psychometric assessments (Thomas International PPA) for each ESR, with opportunities for 1:1 debriefs to help participants understand their workplace behaviours. Pre- and post-session resources were provided to extend learning and reinforce key concepts.

Results

Kinetic PD successfully equipped the SENTINEL PhD students with crucial skills they can use throughout their careers. The programme not only enhanced their personal effectiveness but also strengthened team collaboration across the group of ESRs. By focusing on mindset development, we empowered the ESRs to apply principles of confidence, resilience and teamwork in their research roles, ultimately positioning them as future leaders in their field.

Key outcomes

  • ​Increased Confidence and Resilience: The ESRs gained new insights into managing challenges and maintaining focus, enabling them to overcome obstacles more effectively in both their current research and future scientific careers. 

  • Improved Teamwork and Collaboration: The interactive sessions fostered a stronger sense of unity, bringing the ESRs together despite COVID-19 restrictions and laying the foundation for enhanced collaboration. 

  • Practical Mindset Tools for Future Leadership: The ESRs left the programme equipped with practical toolkits to drive their performance and lead others in their future roles as entrepreneurs and world-class scientists. 

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