Becoming an Intentional Leader: Why People Leadership Needs More Than Instinct

Valerie Vangeel,  Director of the Programme in People Leadership (PPL), captures this disconnect: “People leader; that’s often a function that you’re dumped into,” she says. “You’re good in your job and you want 'people responsibility', but you didn’t really get training to do that job.”

This statement echoes a persistent trend across industries. According to a 2023 report by Gartner, 45% of managers report a lack of confidence in their ability to develop their direct reports, and 70% of HR leaders believe their managers are overwhelmed. The shift to hybrid work, rising expectations for psychological safety, and new demands around purpose-driven leadership have only intensified the pressure on today’s managers.

The Programme in People Leadership is designed precisely for those who find themselves in that gap: skilled professionals who have transitioned into managerial roles but lack a structured understanding of leadership dynamics. What sets the programme apart is its grounding in participants’ lived experiences. As Vangeel explains, “We really start from their experience... to show them the science behind what they maybe do intuitively.”

This approach recognises a vital truth: leadership is primarily a mindset transformation rather than just a skill. It involves reflection, gaining perspective, and a readiness to unlearn automatic behaviours in favour of evidence-based practices. Participants in the PPL programme are encouraged to step away from their daily duties, assess their leadership style, and improve it through structured learning. The aim is not to eliminate intuition but to strengthen it with deeper insight.

In an era when burnout and disengagement are becoming increasingly prevalent among employees, strong people leadership has become a vital strategic requirement, rather than just a bonus. A 2024 study by McKinsey & Company revealed that leaders who show emotional intelligence, adaptability, and clarity tend to foster higher team engagement and better performance. However, these key skills are often lacking, especially among mid-level managers who are simply too busy to invest and focus on their personal development.

The PPL programme tackles this challenge with practical depth. By combining real-world experience with academic insight, it offers more than just tools ready to apply to work;  it provides a deep framework, the learnings of which will stay with the participants throughout their managerial careers. As Vangeel puts it,

“Take some perspective on what you’re doing today... try to better understand why you do the stuff and how you could do it,  maybe a little bit differently to be even more impactful."

For professionals who feel they were “thrown into” leadership, this view can serve as the initial step toward deliberate and effective management. In a world where talent retention, innovation, and resilience depend heavily on the quality of leadership, that influence is more crucial than ever.

If you're ready to bring together practical tools, an authentic perspective, and a network of peers and experts to help you build a foundation for impactful leadership, this is the ideal place to start.