African Development Institute

Leadership Programme

Developing the Self as Leader

A six-month leadership experience for Black mid-to-senior leaders. You already lead at scale. This programme strengthens how you lead under pressure.

The Leadership Work No One Names

Black leaders often operate in environments where scrutiny is higher, margin for error feels smaller, cultural translation is constant, and systemic tension is rarely named. Over time, intelligent adaptations develop. You over-prepare. You over-explain. You carry more than is yours. ADI works at the moment those patterns show up — and restores choice.

Developing the Self as Leader is a six-month, identity-level leadership experience. It strengthens one central capacity: the ability to notice when pressure hits, slow down in that moment, and choose how to respond — rather than react automatically.

What This Programme Is — and Is Not

This Programme Is

  • A six-month, identity-level leadership experience
  • Structured and time-bound
  • Explicit about stretch and accountability
  • Designed for people at a particular moment of readiness
  • Rooted in ADI's values

This Programme Is Not

  • Skills training
  • Confidence building
  • Performance optimisation
  • A networking cohort
  • A therapy group

The Six-Month Journey

The programme returns to the same core moment each month, deepening capacity rather than adding theory.

Month 1

Permission to Slow

Removing performance pressure and establishing a different pace.

Month 2

Recognising Patterns Under Pressure

Identifying personal reflexes without judgement.

Month 3

Staying Rather Than Moving Away

Strengthening tolerance for discomfort without rushing to resolve.

Month 4

Choice Without Self-Blame

Locating agency without collapsing into self-blame.

Month 5

Integration Into Daily Leadership

Doing less, saying less, meaning more.

Month 6

Consolidation and Return of Authority

Strengthening internal leadership without reliance on the group.

The Container

The programme runs over six months. One online session per month, 2.5–3 hours per session, with in-person residential days woven into the programme. The cohort is intentionally small — a maximum of 8 participants. Depth requires steadiness.

2026

Founding Cohort

The first cohort is invitation-led and limited to 8 participants. Programme begins Spring 2026. If you sense this work is for you, we invite you to request a conversation. No hard sell — just an honest exploration of fit.

Facilitation

Pam Rowe

Co-Founder & Facilitator

Leadership development practitioner and community builder with decades of experience at the intersection of personal development, organisational change, and racial equity.

Marcia Daigo

Co-Founder & Facilitator

Executive coach, leadership development consultant, and organisational development specialist with over 15 years of experience across the NHS, public sector, and voluntary organisations. Her work combines values-driven practice with organisational insight, strengthening leadership culture, confidence, and accountability.

Request a Conversation

Interested in the founding cohort? Tell us a little about yourself and we'll arrange a conversation.