In 2019 and 2020, Polykala travelled to Newcastle to deliver two intensives on Adaptive Leadership and Facilitation to the scholars of the University of Newcastle’s Ma & Morley Scholarship program. The program coordinator, Jamie Pomfrett, reflected on his experience of working with the Polykala team.

Why did you hire Polykala for this project?

We needed training and facilitators who could deliver a leadership program of excellence which met the standard and expectations of our University’s flagship and globally recognised scholarship program. Our group of scholars are diverse culturally and academically. We needed training and facilitators who could create an atmosphere of trust, while being sensitive and aware of when and how to push challenge and stretch the learning environment. This was a tough ask. We searched far and wide to find an organisation who could fit this bill. Some organisations could fit some, but not all of our requirements. Polykala demonstrated the professionalism, rigour, creativity and personable nature to give us confidence they could deliver on our tall ask.  

Do you feel Polykala fulfilled your requirements and the project remit? 

Polykala have exceeded on our expectations for both of the training sessions provided.

What (if anything) has changed for you or for your organization as a result of the session? 

Our scholars have a shared language and what leadership is, and a set of tools on how they can practice it as individually and collectively. It is too early to assess what the impact of this will be no how they lead, but the strong foundation and culture of having this shared leadership language and tools will surely lead to positive things for the group.

Describe your experience during Polykala’s session?

They created a positive learning which invited full engagement from all participants. There was a great balance between “theory” and interactive activities to explore the key concepts. On one occasion, there was an outside disruption to the group, and Polykala were sensitive to the change in the learning environment. They adapted their workshop design, and used the challenge as a case study to explore the key concepts of the workshop. This adaptability is a joy to watch in action and in itself is a terrific learning for the group.

How would you describe your experience in working with Polykala professionally?

Polykala are astute at ensuring they set out to achieve what is asked of them. From the early consultation they engaged in conversation and asked the right questions to help clarify exactly what it was that we wanted to achieve. During their delivery it is clear they are very well planned and have a number of measures to ensure that they stay focused  and keep the participants on track for why they are there.