To Liverpool Hope University – the only ecumenical college in Europe – for module one of the Faith in Leadership (FiL) course, a national leadership programme for emerging change-makers from the different faith traditions in Britain. The FiL project was put together and organised by the founders of Learn to Lead particularly their chief executive, Krish Raval, whose vision the programme realises.

There were around 30 participants on the programme who were split into four groups each facilitated by two consultants for small group activities. These were interspersed with lectures and larger group activities.

Small group activities on day one involved introductions, producing ground rules for the programme, and a videoed group exercise. Larger group activities included a conducting workshop given by Peter Hanke a leading contemporary choral music and chamber opera conductor who runs a sideline in executive leadership courses. His input was quite astonishing: he was able to ascertain subtle aspects of a person’s character from watching them conduct for only a minute or so and suggest improvements that would not only enhance their conducting skills but which could be applied to their leadership performance in wider life as well. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to conduct a chamber choir and its impact reminded me somewhat of the current BBC Series Maestro. Krish rounded up the development and learning for the day with a lecture introducing some of the salient themes in the academic study of leadership.

There was then a formal dinner in the evening during which the organisers and facilitators took on the role of waiting on the participants, supporters and special guests. This was not only a wonderful thought but was also a practical expression of the service philosophy conveyed by the charity funding the programme, Initiatives of Change, whose chair of trustees, Elisabeth Tooms, gave the keynote speech during the dinner.