FAQs: Towards Strategic Leadership

1. What are the program fees?

The cost for TSL 2024 is $24,900 (excl. GST).

For the in-person elements of the program, participants are responsible for booking and paying for their own travel, some meals, and accommodation.

2. What does the program fee include?

The fee includes teaching facilitation and all program materials including prescribed textbook, and access to the ANZSOG’s learning management system to support program participation. Group dinner is included in the price.

3. When do applications open?

Applications for the next delivery of the program in 2024 are now open. 

4. When do applications close?

Applications close on Tuesday, 13 February 2024.

5. How do I apply for the program?

Applications for the 2024 program are now open. Click here to apply. 

For further information on Towards Strategic Leadership or to be contacted by a member of our Programs team, express your interest here. 

6. What is the cancellation policy?

Places for TSL are limited to ensure an engaging environment for participants, as such, places are hotly contested. However, once you have been accepted into the program, cancellation will only be considered in exceptional circumstances due to the difficulty of filling places at short notice.

Cancellations must be advised to ANZSOG in writing by the sponsoring agency at programs_team@anzsog.edu.au. Cancellations received more than 14 days from commencement will incur a 50% charge of the program fee. The full program fee is payable for cancellations received within 14 days or less from commencement.

7. When is the program being held?

The program will be delivered in a blended format (face-to-face and online) commencing on 18 March 2024 (orientation) and concluding on 15 May 2024.  Online program components will be delivered via the Zoom Meetings platform.

Module details (subject to change) are below: 

Orientation: 18 March 2024 (1.30pm-2.30pm AEST | Online) 

Module 1: 

• 25-27 March 2024 (9am-5pm AEST | face-to-face, Melbourne); 
• 28 March 2024 (9am-1pm AEST | face-to-face, Melbourne) 

Module 2: 10 April 2024 (1pm-5.30pm AEST | Online) 

Module 3: 24 April 2024 (1pm-5.30pm AEST | Online) 

Module 4: 1 May 2024 (1pm-5.30pm AEST | Online) 

Module 5: 15 May 2024 (1pm-5.30pm AEST | Online) 

8. Who is the program for?

TSL is the ideal program for senior public sector professionals who are in the process of moving from tactical to strategic leadership roles. The program is designed to help you perform your role with purpose, good judgement and strategic nous. TSL s will provide a tangible boost in confidence and capabilities and prepare you to face senior executive responsibilities.

9. Can I speak with a previous TSL participant?

If you are interested in applying for TSL, we encourage you to speak to our TSL alumni to get an insider’s perspective. Please contact our Alumni Coordinator via email at alumni@anzsog.edu.au, to arrange an introduction.

10. Do I need managerial approval to attend the program?

Yes. In submitting the application form, you confirm that your manager agrees to support you to participate in the program and that your organisation will pay the full program fee if your application is successful. Your manager will also receive a copy of your application via email.

11. When will I be invoiced?

Once you submit your application, it will be reviewed by the selection committee and you will be advised as soon as possible of the outcome. Once you have received formal acceptance into the program, your organisation will be invoiced. Payment of the program fee must be received in full prior to program commencement.

12. Who teaches into the program?

Towards Strategic Leadership is co-led by Robbie Macpherson (Managing Director, Adaptable Leadership) and Paul ‘t Hart (a Member of the Scientific Council for Government Policy and a professor of public administration at Utrecht University).

13. How long is the program?

TSL is delivered in a blended format (face-to-face and online).  Orientation will be held online via Zoom Meetings; Module 1 will be held face-to-face (in Melbourne); and the remaining Modules 2 to 5 will be online via Zoom meetings. The program will commence in March and conclude in May. Online modules are usually 5–6 hours long and may occur outside of business hours (until 17:30 or 18:00).

14. How big is the cohort?

The program offers a maximum of 42 places. A selection committee will assess each applicant’s level and experience and, where possible, seek a balance of jurisdictions and departments.

15. What are the program (learning) outcomes?

TSL participants will explore a series of core themes that will be interwoven in the structure of the program and both the asynchronous and live activities, including:

• Strategic leadership
• Self, role, system
• Authority vs Leadership
• Technical vs adaptive challenges
• Relational work: informal authority and leadership capital
• Identity work: navigating ‘us’ and ‘them’
• Communicative work: rhetoric, dramaturgy, symbolism
• Political work: up, down, and out
• Collaborative work: Leading when no one is ‘in charge’.
• Coping work: leading in times of crisis

16. Will I become part of the alumni community upon completion of the program?

Yes, you will. Our Alumni Program helps you to maintain and build on your peer-to-peer relationships, creating a broad community of public sector leaders from across Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and internationally. This provides an opportunity for ongoing learning and support from peers, greater exposure to different perspectives, and an appreciation of work done, and solutions found, elsewhere.

17. Can I use FEE-HELP to pay all or part of my tuition fees?
No, unfortunately you can’t use FEE-HELP. You may enter a salary sacrifice arrangement with your employer to attend the program. Your employer will be billed the program fee. This will be discussed on a case-by-case basis with your sponsoring agency.