Stop Learning About Leadership, Start Leading with Impact
Proven Methods, Practical Results
An intensive programme that guarantees real leadership growth through practical challenge and implementation
You're Ready for More
Craving Real Impact You know you have more to give as a leader - you're hungry for development that actually transforms how you show up
Beyond Surface-Level Learning You're tired of leadership development that sounds good but doesn't stick - you want something that creates lasting change
Leadership Overwhelm Despite your best efforts, you feel like you're managing rather than leading, reacting rather than creating the future
Ready for Challenge You're not looking for easy answers - you want to be pushed, stretched, and developed in ways that matter
Imposter Syndrome Sometimes you doubt whether you're the leader your team needs, despite knowing you have the potential for so much more
Seeking Authentic Growth You want to develop your genuine leadership style, not copy someone else's approach - real growth that fits who you are
Limited to just 25 leaders per cohort when launched
What Makes This Different
⚡ Intensive by Design This isn't passive learning - you'll be intensely challenged through deliberate practice, real implementation, and continuous feedback that reduces cognitive load and guarantees growth
🎯 Practical Application Every single session includes immediate implementation in your actual leadership context - no theory without practice, no concepts without application
📈 Measurable Growth You'll track your development across 10 leadership levers with evidence-based assessments, peer feedback, and visible behaviour change
Host of Chart-topping Education Leaders Podcast
Trusted by thousands of leaders worldwide across all sectors
Meet Shane Leaning
I understand what it's like to want real leadership growth, not just more theory
Having worked with thousands of leaders across organisations globally, I've seen brilliant people frustrated by leadership development that doesn't actually develop them. That's exactly why I created this intensive - to guarantee you grow as a leader in ways you can see, feel, and measure.
Bestselling Author of "Change Starts Here"
Recognised expertise in organisational transformation
Worked with Thousands of Leaders Globally
Extensive experience across diverse schools and groups
Co-founder of Work Collaborative
Dedicated to inside-out change in organisations
The Hard Truth About Leadership Development
You cannot become the leader you want to be in a programme. Every leader I've spoken to (and I've spoken to hundreds) has developed their practice over time. But there are key levers that help reduce the cognitive load while you're leading.
Consider this: Have you ever practiced difficult conversations in a safe space with colleagues? Not just read about models in a book, but actually rehearsed them, received feedback, and then applied them in real life?
That's what this programme is about.
Get instant access to my 10 Leadership Levers with practical actions you can implement this week. The same framework used by thousands of leaders worldwide to create real, measurable growth.
Download this 4-page guide and discover:
The Teacher-Leader Bridge that turns your experience into leadership strength
The Authenticity Filter for values-based decision making
The Shared Understanding Check that transforms your communication
7 more research-backed leadership levers with immediate actions you can take today
Why it’s called an Intensive
Step 1: Apply & Get Accepted
Submit your application with written response and short video to ensure you're ready for the intensity and committed to real growth
Step 2: Experience 10 Weeks of Intensive Challenge
Each week you'll be pushed beyond your comfort zone with deliberate practice, real-world implementation, and immediate feedback on your leadership
Step 3: Graduate with Proven Growth
Complete the programme with measurable leadership development, a personalised playbook, and evidence of real behaviour change
In my Education Leaders Intensive, I know that you want to be an authentic, confident leader who creates meaningful change in your organisation. In order to do that, you need real leadership development that actually transforms how you lead, not just how you think about leading. The problem is that most leadership development is either theoretical workshops that don't stick or surface-level programmes that don't challenge you to grow, which makes you feel frustrated and like you're not reaching your leadership potential.
I believe that every leader deserves development that creates real, measurable growth. I understand how frustrating it is to invest time in leadership development only to find yourself with the same challenges and patterns six months later, which is why I created this intensive programme specifically designed to guarantee your growth through deliberate challenge and practical implementation.
Here's the difference: Have you ever practiced difficult conversations in a safe space with colleagues? Not just read about models in a book, but actually rehearsed them, received feedback, and then applied them in real life? That's what this programme delivers.
Here's how I do it:
1. I intensely challenge you with evidence-based frameworks that push you beyond your comfort zone
2. You immediately implement these skills in your real leadership context with structured support
3. I measure your progress across 10 leadership levers so you can see and feel your growth happening.
So, [schedule your strategy call today]. And in the meantime, [download my free Leadership Levers Guide]. So you can stop settling for surface-level development and instead experience the intensive growth that transforms you into the leader you're capable of becoming.
Programme Details
📅 Duration & Format
10 weeks over 3 months
September 15 - December 1, 2025
Weekly 2-hour live sessions
Tuesdays, 4:30-6:30 PM China time
🏆 Certification
Education Leaders Intensive Certificate
Research-based competency framework
Digital badge for LinkedIn
Continuing education credits
🎯 Time Commitment
5-6 hours per week total
2 hours live online sessions
3-4 hours implementation
Includes leadership trio work
👥 Cohort Size
Carefully selected participants
Application with written response
Short video submission
Ensures aligned commitment levels
📚 What's Included
All session recordings
Evidence-based frameworks
Implementation tools
Prompt cards for each lever
Personal Leadership Playbook
🌏 Optional Add-ons
Shanghai Workshop: £500 (2-day "Leading as a Coach" intensive)
1:1 Coaching with Shane: £600 (Four personal sessions)
"I'm launching the first cohort in September 2025. If you just need a certificate for your next job interview, this isn't for you - go do an NPQ or a master's instead. But if you want to transform your practice and develop skills that will make you feel more confident, more energised, and more able to handle the challenges of leadership after just a few months together - this is the programme for you. It's practical. It's intense. That's why it's called an intensive."
Need Help with Strategic Decisions?
Get my Strategic Decision Guide - the framework from our Education Leaders Intensive that helps you choose the right decision-making process for any situation.
Download this 4-page guide and discover:
How to classify decisions by impact, urgency, and reversibility
The right decision-making process for each situation type
Stakeholder mapping templates to avoid headaches later
A step-by-step framework for when you're under pressure
Investment in Your Leadership Growth
Join the most intensive, practical leadership development programme designed to guarantee your growth as a leader
The Education Leaders Intensive
School and organisational group discounts available Multiple participants receive exclusive group coaching sessions
Included Benefits (bullet list):
✓ 10 weeks of intensive leadership challenge and growth
✓ Evidence-based frameworks from 100+ research studies
✓ Personal Leadership Playbook with measurable progress tracking
✓ Leadership trio peer coaching and accountability
✓ All session recordings and implementation materials
✓ Research-based certification with proven competency
✓ Ongoing community access with fellow leaders
FAQs
How is this different from other programmes?
Instead of trying to be all things to all people, we focus exclusively on practice, implementation and feedback in a supportive community. You'll develop specific leadership levers that create immediate impact.
Who is this programme for?
Leaders at all levels who want to grow and develop practical skills. We're bringing together like-minded people committed to transforming their leadership practice.
What's the time commitment?
The programme includes weekly live sessions plus implementation activities integrated into your existing leadership work. Most participants spend 4-5 hours per week on the programme.
Ready to add UMPH to your leadership?
Haven't downloaded the curriculum & price guide yet? [Get it here]
Applications close when my carefully selected cohort is full