"There is an instinctive drive to take some of this magic back into the outside world, to unite people where there has been misunderstanding and to create community where it does not exist."
- Columban Graduate
the coracle programme
Introduction | Outcomes | Components | Corporate Participants | More information
What is the Coracle Programme?
The Coracle Programme is a new programme that builds on our experience of the 'Gemini Project'. The Gemini Project was created in partnership by Columba 1400 and Renewabell Consulting and programmes ran between 2002 and 2005. Columba 1400 is now moving ahead and hoping to build on the learning from this incredibly worthwhile and ground-breaking programme. The 'Coracle' draws on the symbolism of the ancient round boat – a symbol that has become central to Columban thinking and programming. It incorporates the sense of everyone being in it together, of the unbroken circle of friendship and of the shared journey.
The Coracle Programme provides a next step experience for ‘tough reality’ graduates from Columba 1400’s Young People’s Leadership Academy. We bring these young people together with corporate leaders and this group begin a journey that culminates in their intensive residential academy at our £2 million centre on the Isle of Skye. Together they allow new leadership conversations to take place. They enter a place where it is possible to glimpse different ways of being, to see all of what we are capable of – as individuals and as a community and to grasp our own greatness and what that could do for the world. By creating an environment that allows judgement to be challenged and suspended, each individual can understand how to find the very best in themselves and others. Columba 1400 assumes that everyone who crosses our threshold is a leader and that they have within everything they need to achieve their potential.
The Coracle Programme brings together individuals from different backgrounds and experiences but who share a common humanity. Together they build an experience that allows them to practice their leadership and to identify and reflect on the values that underpin their actions. The programme allows participants the time and space to develop a growing awareness of self and the choices they have made and make as leaders.
This is a pivotal personal experience for leaders within our corporate communities. It is a rare opportunity for participants to stop, reflect and take a perspective on what their leadership could yet become.
For our business community, this programme is a win, win, win. It makes the notion of corporate social responsibility meaningful and practical by supporting an organisation that is working to create those young people who could be the business leaders of the future. It offers key corporate leaders a highly rewarding and demanding personal experience that will strengthen their commitment and loyalty to the organisation. It creates confident, 21st century leaders whose heightened awareness of the potential of self and others will be an asset to the business. Confident in communicating with individuals at all levels, holding assumptions lightly enough to remain clear-headed in conflict situations, finding the wisdom in really listening and understanding, knowing and living their values.
Programme Outcomes
Participants can expect, by the end of the residential component of the programme to have:
Awareness
Increasing awareness of themselves as leaders and better awareness of the potential in other.
Focus
An understanding of what is important and choosing to act on this
Creativity
A belief that cycles and patterns in your life can be changed
Integrity
Greater awareness of your own potential and remaining true to it
Perseverance
A sense of resilience in the face of challenges
Service
A belief that you can have a positive impact on your community
Programme Components
Your desire to take part in the programme and the ability to commit to the pre residential preparation session and the residential component is important.
Columban Gathering
An opportunity to come together with graduates from a range of Columban programmes and to meet individuals considering attending the programme. This informal early evening event provides an opportunity to learn more about Columba 1400 and develop the story alongside others.
Preparation Session
More specific preparation with your fellow travellers begins during a 1.5 day residential session in the Central Belt.
Residential
The intensive 6 day residential programme is delivered at Columba’s centre on the Isle of Skye.
Columban Gathering
On return, there are opportunities to re-connect with the Columban community and your own leadership journey.
Coracle Programme clients include:
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- Standard Life
In an environment where accomplishing more results with less resources has become the norm in every sector, a new leader is evolving to meet a very demanding role. The Columban Code of Responsible Leadership becomes central, as leaders are required to:
- create communities sharing a strong commitment to a shared culture, set of values and identified purpose.
- confidently guide communities with more at stake through extremely unpredictable conditions.
- instinctively attract and retain talent amongst trends of high flux and mobility.
- relentlessly elicit the potential of individuals and their team for maximum performance.
- maintain a high level of emotional intelligence that reflects itself in sound, frequent and trustworthy communications.
- identify fast-moving but realistic opportunities and the partnerships that will make these opportunities possible.
- resolve intricate conflicts between diverse parties - quickly and thoroughly - while maintaining a high level of reliability to all involved.
- solve problems and make responsible decisions in the face of fast-paced and ethically complex situations.
Individuals will orchestrate leadership in the years to come with a tremendous capacity to learn and function in environments that change more quickly and drastically than ever before.
More information
Please contact: Nicola Richards, Chief Executive
info@columba1400.com
background
In 2002, the Gemini Project was created by Columba 1400 in partnership with Mark Bell of Renewabell Consulting. This groundbreaking programme was designed as a way to bring together two usually divided groups of people, demonstrating how they could work together and gain a greater understanding of themselves and each other. Between 2002 and 2005, groups of young people from tough realities were matched up with business leaders from corporations such the Royal Bank of Scotland, Ernst & Young, Lloyds TSB and Scottish Power. Barriers were broken down and each learned from the others’ strengths.
Columba 1400 has now moved ahead and designed the Coracle Programme building on our experience of the 'Gemini Project' and other key Columban programmes. The 'Coracle' draws on the symbolism of the ancient round boat – a symbol that has become central to Columban thinking and programming. It incorporates the sense of everyone being in it together, of the unbroken circle of friendship and of the shared journey. The Coracle Programme aims to create new conversations across communities providing an outlet for individuals and corporations to explore their leadership purpose.