Suzi McAlpine – The Leader’s Map

Introduction

Leadership is often described as a journey, but without a compass, even the most ambitious professionals can lose their way. In today’s fast-paced business environment, the transition from individual contributor to a people leader is fraught with challenges. It is staggering to note that 44 percent of emerging leaders feel unprepared for their role, and 87 percent wish they had received more training before stepping into a position of authority. This is where Suzi McAlpine – The Leader’s Map comes into play. As an expert in leadership development, Suzi has designed a programme specifically to bridge the gap between potential and performance. This isn’t just another generic management seminar; it is a comprehensive, blended learning experience crafted to equip your emerging leaders with the essential skills they need to fly rather than flop. Whether you are an HR director looking to scaffold your talent pipeline or an individual stepping into a management role for the first time, understanding the value of structured development is crucial. In this review, I will take a deep dive into the intricacies of this course, exploring its modules, its unique methodology, and why it might be the missing piece in your organisation’s leadership strategy. We will look at how Suzi McAlpine – The Leader’s Map addresses the critical “sink or swim” mentality that plagues many companies and replaces it with a sustainable, supportive path to leadership excellence.

Course Description

Suzi McAlpine – The Leader’s Map is a blended leadership programme that combines the flexibility of online learning with the power of group coaching and peer support. Designed specifically for emerging leaders, it is structured to equip participants with the essential soft skills required to succeed in modern management roles. The course is built around the 70/20/10 rule of learning, emphasizing that 70% of learning comes from on-the-job experience, 20% from social learning, and 10% from formal education. By integrating online modules that can be accessed anytime, anywhere, with real-world application and group reflection, this programme maximizes retention and practical application. It offers a flexible learning environment that fits around the busy schedules of working professionals, ensuring that development doesn’t take a backseat to daily operations.

What sets this course apart is its high level of customisation and focus on measurable outcomes. Suzi McAlpine – The Leader’s Map is not a static product; it can be fully tailored to reflect an organisation’s specific branding, language, and strategic priorities. The programme includes downloadable tools, resources, video lessons, and access to a peer coaching network. It also features a Manager’s Resource Centre, allowing the direct managers of participants to track progress and support their team members through the learning journey. This dual-layer approach ensures that the participant isn’t learning in a vacuum but is supported by both the programme facilitators and their own organisational leadership.

Ideal Student

• First-time leaders: Individuals who have recently stepped into a management role and need a structured framework to navigate their new responsibilities effectively.
• Mid-level managers: Experienced leaders looking to refine their skills, move beyond basic management tactics, and enhance their leadership capability to drive team performance.
• Aspiring leaders: High-potential employees who are earmarked for promotion and want to prepare themselves for the challenges of leadership before they actually step into the role.
• Underperforming leaders: Current managers who may be struggling with specific aspects of their role, such as delegation or communication, and require a supportive intervention to get back on track.
• Project managers: Individuals in cross-functional roles who do not have direct reports but need to exert influence and lead teams without formal authority.

Learning Outcomes

• Enhanced Leadership Capability: Participants will develop a marked improvement in their ability to lead others, resulting in increased confidence and self-awareness in their role.
• Mastering Coaching Skills: The course teaches leaders how to coach rather than just direct, fostering a culture of growth and continuous improvement within their teams.
• Effective Performance Management: Students will learn how to set clear expectations, navigate non-performance, and inspire their teams to move from good to great.
• Resilience and Stress Management: A key outcome is the ability to manage personal resilience, helping leaders maintain peak performance and navigate stress without burnout.
• Strategic Communication: Participants will master the art of giving and receiving feedback, a critical skill for any leader looking to build trust and transparency.

Course Modules

p>The curriculum is designed to take participants on a progressive journey, starting from the internal foundations of leadership and moving outward to team dynamics and organisational change. Below, I will detail the comprehensive modules included in Suzi McAlpine – The Leader’s Map. Each module is packed with video lessons, downloadable workbooks, and practical resources.

Module 1: Defining Your Leadership Brand and Your True North

The journey begins with introspection. In this foundational module, participants are guided through the process of defining their ‘True North’ as a leader. This is crucial because authentic leadership stems from understanding who you are and what you stand for. The module covers:

• Identifying Core Values: You will pinpoint the values that drive your behaviour and decisions.
• Self-Awareness: Techniques to increase emotional intelligence and understand your impact on others.
• Leadership Brand: Defining how you want to be perceived as a leader.

Bonus material on ‘Above the Line and Below the Line’ behaviour is included to help participants understand how their mindset influences their outcomes. This module sets the stage for the rest of the course by ensuring leaders are grounded in their own identity.

Module 2: The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback

Feedback is often described as the breakfast of champions, yet it remains one of the most dreaded aspects of management. Module 2 demystifies the process, turning feedback from a confrontation into a powerful tool for growth. The content includes:

• The Psychology of Feedback: Understanding why feedback is essential for high performance.
• Giving Feedback: Mastering the art of delivering constructive criticism that is heard and acted upon.
• Receiving Feedback: Learning to accept feedback without defensiveness and use it for personal improvement.

By the end of this module, participants will feel confident in handling difficult conversations and fostering a culture where feedback flows freely in all directions.

Module 3: Become an Outstanding Coach

Modern leadership is less about command and control and more about coaching and mentoring. This module shifts the mindset from being ‘the boss’ to being ‘the coach’. It focuses on:

• Daily Habits: Why coaching should be an integral part of every interaction, not just a scheduled annual review.
• Fundamentals: The core skills required to ask the right questions and listen actively.
• Advanced Skills: Techniques for handling complex coaching scenarios and helping team members unlock their own solutions.

Participants will learn how to empower their teams, fostering autonomy and accountability.

Module 4: How to Manage Your Time and Priorities like a Pro

One of the biggest hurdles for new leaders is managing their own time while leading others. This module provides practical strategies for taking control of the workday. Key lessons include:

• Prioritisation: How to distinguish between urgent and important tasks and manage your diary effectively.
• The Art of Delegation: Overcoming the fear of letting go and assigning tasks to develop team capability.
• Effective Meetings: How to run meetings that are purposeful, efficient, and result-oriented.

This module is essential for preventing burnout and ensuring that leaders are focusing their energy on high-value activities.

Module 5: MindBody Reset: How to Build Resilience and Manage Stress

Sustainability in leadership requires physical and mental resilience. Module 5 delves into the science of stress and peak performance. It covers:

• Stress vs. Eustress: Understanding the difference between harmful stress and positive stress that drives performance.
• Self-Efficacy: Building the confidence in one’s ability to influence events and achieve goals.
• The MindBody Reset: Practical keys to resilience, including sleep hygiene, exercise, and mindfulness practices.

This module ensures that leaders are not just effective in the short term but can maintain their health and vitality over a long career.

Module 6: Build a High Performing Team

A leader is only as good as their team. This module moves from personal management to team dynamics. It teaches participants how to:

• Build Culture: Creating a cohesive environment where trust and collaboration are the norm.
• Recruitment and Diversity: Strategies for hiring the best people and building a diverse, high-performing team.
• Team Development: Nurturing individual team members while growing the collective capability of the group.

Leaders will learn how to diagnose team issues and implement strategies to lift overall performance.

Module 7: Managing Performance

Managing performance is often the hardest part of a leader’s job. This module provides a clear roadmap for handling both success and failure. It includes:

• Setting Expectations: Getting clear on what ‘good’ looks like and communicating success metrics from the start.
• Navigating Non-Performance: How to address underperformance with empathy but firmness.
• Inspiring Greatness: Techniques for motivating teams to exceed expectations and align with the organisational vision.

This module removes the fear from performance reviews and disciplinary actions, turning them into opportunities for development.

Module 8: Leading Yourself and Others through Change

In an ever-changing business landscape, change leadership is a non-negotiable skill. The final module prepares leaders to navigate transitions. It focuses on:

• Types of Change: Equipping leaders to handle different change scenarios, from restructuring to digital transformation.
• The SARAH Model: Understanding the emotional journey of change (Shock, Anger, Resistance, Acceptance, Healing) and how to guide teams through it.
• Do’s and Don’ts: Practical tips and tools for leading change successfully without losing the trust of your team.

This module ensures that leaders can be stabilising forces for their teams during turbulent times.

Real-World Applications and Success Stories

The true test of any leadership programme is its application in the real world. Suzi McAlpine – The Leader’s Map is designed with immediate practicality in mind. Because the programme follows a licensing model, organisations often implement it during times of strategic shift. For instance, a company undergoing a merger can utilise Module 8 to help their mid-level managers guide their teams through the uncertainty, minimising productivity dips. The ‘pick and mix’ approach mentioned in the course structure allows senior leaders to use specific modules as just-in-time training. A senior executive struggling with delegation can instantly access Module 4 resources to apply new techniques the very next day, rather than waiting for a relevant workshop to appear on the calendar.

Success stories from the programme highlight a common theme: the transformation of reactive managers into proactive leaders. Participants frequently report a shift in how they handle feedback conversations; instead of avoiding them, they seek them out to clarify expectations. The Manager’s Resource Centre plays a pivotal role here, creating a feedback loop where the participant’s direct manager can see which modules are being completed and initiate discussions about how those lessons apply to current projects. This integration into the daily workflow ensures that the learning sticks. One notable outcome observed in organisations using this course is the increase in employee engagement scores within the teams led by programme graduates, validating the course’s focus on human-centric leadership.

Pricing

Investing in leadership development is a strategic decision, and Suzi McAlpine – The Leader’s Map offers flexible pricing models to suit different organisational needs. The course operates on a licensing arrangement, typically on a 12 to 36-month contract, allowing organisations to maximise their ROI over time.

• One-Time Setup Fee (Customised Version): For organisations requiring full customisation (branding, specific content integration, CEO messages), there is a one-time setup cost of $9,450.00 + GST. This creates a bespoke platform tailored entirely to your organisational context.
• Licensing Model: Standard pricing involves a licensing fee that provides access to the course content for a set period. Discounts are available for higher volume logins, making it scalable for large enterprises.

The licensing model includes the Manager’s Resource Centre, tracking capabilities, and ongoing support. This structure ensures that you are not just buying a course, but investing in a long-term development infrastructure for your leaders.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Flexible Blended Learning: The combination of online self-paced study and optional group coaching accommodates busy schedules and different learning styles.
• Highly Customisable: The ability to brand the course and integrate company-specific language and strategy makes it highly relevant for participants.
• Manager Involvement: The unique Manager’s Resource Centre ensures that participants have support from their direct line managers, reinforcing learning on the job.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: With eight modules covering everything from personal resilience to team dynamics, it leaves no stone unturned regarding leadership essentials.
• Pick and Mix Capability: The option to access specific modules as a resource centre is fantastic for just-in-time learning for senior leaders.
• Focus on Emerging Leaders: It specifically targets the often-overlooked demographic of new and aspiring managers, filling a critical gap in the market.

Cons

• Licensing Commitment: The requirement for a 12 to 36-month contract might be a barrier for very small companies or those with short-term needs.
• Customisation Cost: The one-time setup fee for the fully customised version could be prohibitive for smaller businesses with limited budgets.
• Self-Paced Requires Discipline: While flexible, the online component requires participants to be self-motivated; without internal enforcement, progress might stall.
• Geographic Specificity: While the content is universal, some examples or legal compliance aspects (like employment law) may need to be supplemented by local regulations if used outside of New Zealand.
• Group Coaching Optional: While available, the specific group coaching sessions with Suzi incur extra fees, which could increase the total investment.
• Digital Focus: Leaders who prefer purely face-to-face, classroom-style environments might find the heavy online component less engaging than traditional workshops.

FAQs

Who is the Leader’s Map For?
The Leader’s Map Accelerator Programme is designed for emerging or ‘first time’ leaders, mid-level managers looking to develop, aspiring managers, current managers with little prior training, and individuals in cross-functional roles without authority.

What is included in the Leader’s Map?
The programme includes 8 comprehensive modules with multiple lessons, progress tracking, topical resources, quizzes, video lessons, and access to a closed support group page. It also includes a Programme Manager Centre and measurement tools.

Can I customise the Leader’s Map for our organisation?
Absolutely. The course is fully customisable, including company branding, integration of company values, tailoring of module material, and the inclusion of welcome videos from your own leaders. A one-time setup fee applies for the customised version.

How long does it take to complete the course?
The course is self-paced. While participants can work at their own speed, it is recommended not to complete a module in less than a week. The total suggested duration to work through all 8 modules is approximately 9-12 months.

Do leaders have to follow the programme in a linear fashion?
While recommended to follow the linear path as modules build on each other, the licensing option allows for a ‘pick and mix’ approach. Senior leaders can access specific modules to brush up on particular skills like delegation without doing the whole course.

What is the minimum sign up period?
The licensing arrangement requires a minimum sign-up period of 12 months. Significant cost savings are available if you sign up for a three-year contract.

Final Verdict

After a thorough review of the curriculum and the methodology behind it, Suzi McAlpine – The Leader’s Map stands out as a robust, high-value solution for organisations serious about leadership development. It successfully addresses the common pitfall of promoting high performers into leadership roles without adequate preparation. By blending flexible online learning with the necessary human elements of coaching and management support, it respects the time constraints of modern business while ensuring deep learning. The inclusion of the Manager’s Resource Centre is a masterstroke, effectively bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical application on the job. While the financial commitment in the form of a licensing contract is significant, the return on investment—measured in improved team performance, higher retention, and a more confident leadership cadre—justifies the expense for medium to large enterprises. The course is particularly well-suited for organisations looking to scale their leadership culture consistently across multiple departments. It is not a quick-fix course but a sustainable development pathway. For any business leader tired of watching their talented managers struggle or burnout, this programme offers the map to navigate them to safety and success. I highly recommend Suzi McAlpine – The Leader’s Map for those ready to invest in the future captains of their industry.

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