The Hidden Dynamics of High-Impact Leadership
A Transformational Leadership Programme for Middle Managers

Spaces are limited. Applications close 20 June 2025.

Your career progression is your responsibility

  • To move up, you must make a consistent impact. 
  • For this, you need more than improved technical and interpersonal skills.
  • You need to consistently get more done, with the same resources, and within the same constraints, than others would think possible.
  • Meaning, you must be able to navigate, tap into and transform the invisible forces ​driving human energy, culture and performance. 

Overview

  • The programme equips middle managers with the skills to read, respond to, and influence the hidden forces shaping organisational culture and performance.​
  • ​By applying systems psychodynamics thinking, participants develop the awareness, insight, and courage to transform their leadership presence, creating extraordinary impact within their organisations or future ventures. 

The programme is for middle managers, who:

  • Are on their way up, ambitious and hungry for senior leadership roles.
  • Are committed to self-growth and willing to invest their own time, money and energy towards deep learning.
  • Navigate complex organisational challenges - seeking advanced skills to influence culture, transform team dynamics and lead exceptional performance. 
  • Want to break through invisible barriers and undo unconscious self-limitations.

Selection criteria

  • At least 5 years of management experience (or equivalent leadership exposure).
  • Commitment to a minimum of eight hours of learning and reflection per module.
  • Willingness to engage in deep personal and professional transformation.
  • ​Willingness to commit own funds and own time.

Note: Participants must apply voluntarily - no-one is 'sent' to this programme by their employer. Own money. Own time. Own authority. Prospective participants may convince their employers to co-fund their participation, but the decision and authority to attend must be their own.

Modules

Module 1:
Authority, role and system
  • Understand the dynamics of authorisation and de-authorisation - upwards, downwards, lateral and inwards.
  • Navigate the pitfalls and opportunities of taking up role(s) in organisations.
  • ​​Recognise the systemic nature of the forces impacting performance.
Module 2:
​Boundaries and organisational culture
  • ​​​Learn how task, role, and authority boundaries impact culture and performance.
  • Understand and transform 'bad' boundary habits.
  • Balance rigidity and flexibility in leadership.
Module 3: 
​Social defences and organisational learning
  • Uncover unconscious patterns that block change and innovation.
  • Address blame cultures, bureaucracy and defensive routines.
  • ​Develop strategies for transforming resistance into creative engagement.
Module 4: 
​Decision-making and uncertainty
  • Recognise how unconscious forces influence strategic choices.
  • Develop antifragile teams that can 'think under fire'.​
  • Learn how to be firm, with empathy, in driving for high performance.
Module 5:
​Group dynamics, power and influence
  • Identify and work with emotional states affecting group dynamics.
  • Navigate systemic conflict and power struggles.
  • Develop strategies to transform groupthink into robust teamwork.
Module 6: 
​Middle managers as culture shapers
  • Align teams with organizational purpose and the primary task.
  • Understand how to create spaces for reflective thinking and sense-making.
  • Take up the role of containing thinking partner in transformation initiatives.

Pricing and structure

Pricing:
  • R24,000 ($1,300 USD).* (See discount and payment options below)
  • Perfect for those who want to go all-out to transform their leadership and make a profound impact in their organisations.
  • Participants are divided into groups of 7 - 12 from diverse organisations.
  • One module per month, for six months.

​Structure:
  • Pre-reading on key theoretical concepts. (1 - 2 hours)
  • Reflective essay connecting theoretical insights to personal leadership. (1 hour)
  • Group discussion exploring theory, case studies and unconscious dynamics. (3 hours - online via Zoom)
  • Group assignment on practical application within organisations. (1 - 2 hours)

​Additionally:
  • Participants gain access to our custom-designed systems psychodynamics AI thinking partner, Sophia.
  • As well as access to an ongoing a-synchronous online forum with fellow participants.
  • Personal, human feedback on assignments in addition to the AI-generated feedback.
  • Certificate of Completion of the High-Impact Programme from The Institute for Leadership and Transformation (TILT) and The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations.

Payment plans

Plan 1
​Up-front payment
  • Pay the total amount in one sum before starting the programme.
  • Receive a 10% discount.
  • R21,600 ($ 1,170 USD).*
​​*Note: All prices include VAT. International participants pay the USD amount's equivalent in their home currencies.
Plan 2​
​Monthly instalments over 6 months
  • 20% Deposit on registration.
  • Remaining amount payable in monthly instalments.
  • Deposit: R4,800 ($257)*; Monthly instalments, for 6 months: R3,200 ($174)*
Plan 3
​Monthly instalments over 12 months
  • Total fee increase of 10%.
  • 20% Deposit on registration.
  • Remaining amount payable in monthly instalments.
  • Deposit: R4,800 ($257)*; Monthly instalments, for 12 months: R1,800 ($97.75)*

Online meeting dates: 2025

For 2025, I will take two groups. One group will meet on Saturday mornings, more or less once per month. The other group will meet on Thursday evenings, also more or less once per month. Should demand require it, we will open more groups. Please stay in touch with Kirsten Zellmer to confirm group openings: kirsten@tiltinternational.com.
Saturday mornings, 9:00 - 12:00 South African time, on:​​ 
  • 28 June
  • 26 July
  • 23 August
  • 20 September
  • 18 October
  • 15 November​
Thursday evenings. 17:00 - 20:00 South African time, on:
  • 26 June
  • 24 July
  • 21 August
  • 18 September
  • 16 October
  • 13 November

Facilitator

Dr. Jean Cooper
Jean is an Industrial and Organisational Psychologist who specializes in systems psychodynamics and group relations. He consults to leaders and organisations on change, culture and organisational performance. Jean directed two Group Relations Conferences in South Africa in association with the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, was part of the consulting staff of the 2024 Leicester Conference and is part of the team from which the consulting staff for Leicester 2025 will be drawn. He is associate editor of the international journal Organisational and Social Dynamics and teaches part-time on the University of Pretoria Faculty of Engineering's Masters in Project Management.

Optional add-ons

Individual Coaching
  • R2,200 per 60-minute session with Dr. Jean Cooper ($125 USD per session).*
  • For package of 6 sessions: R12,000 ($667 USD).
Tavistock Online Programme:
​Team Working - How to Succeed
  • Graduates of our Hidden Dynamics of Leadership programme receives discount on the Tavistock Institute's Team Working online course. See all the info here.

​*Note: All prices include VAT. International participants pay the USD amount's equivalent in their home currencies.
The Leicester Conference

Apply now!

  • Spaces are limited, so we follow an application and waitlist process.
  • Please complete the application form and submit your application before 20 June 2025.
  • See selection criteria above.
  • For any registration-related questions, contact Kirsten Zellmer: kirsten@tiltinternational.com.​​
  • For any questions regarding the programme content and process, contact Dr. Jean Cooper: jean@tiltinternational.com.