Amplify your leadership impact

Darren Sprod, CEO of Central Coast Football in Australia, discusses how the Ivey Leadership Program has given him applicable tools and strategies to immediately impact his organization and positively influence his own leadership.

What led you to take the Ivey Leadership Program (ILP)? 
I was looking for a leadership program and had heard a lot of positives about Ivey.  I used to work for a Canadian company and one of my colleagues had studied at Ivey and told me the school was great.  The cost for us, as a not-for-profit, made it less expensive than an equivalent executive education program in Australia.

What surprised you most about the program?
To be honest, everything had that little bit “extra.”  From the level of detail provided for a week-long program, to the variances in the interaction and learning modes.  The case studies were very relevant and the whole week was very engaging. 

How did the program prepare you for the challenges you face at work?
The case studies were very relevant and the class discussions provided many “light bulb” moments as well. The Ivey Leadership Program gave me applicable tools and strategies to immediately apply upon returning to work.

Has ILP changed your approach to leadership?
Yes, definitely. I can say it allowed me to step back and take a look at the bigger picture and truly understand that sometimes you need to manage, but you always need to lead.

What was the highlight of the program?
This is a hard one to answer because the whole program was a highlight! If I had to narrow it down to one thing, it was the overall level of interaction between the program participants and the faculty team. 

How would you describe the program’s impact?
This program has really allowed me to reflect on my own leadership impact and how I can positively impact not only our business, but all interactions I have – in my personal life and in business. 

Have you found peers that you can continue to use as sounding boards, referrals and lifelong friends?
Yes, definitely.  We have already started networking and sharing thoughts and ideas. 

Overall this program went above and beyond and I wouldn’t hesitate in travelling from Australia again to attend another program at The Ivey Academy based on this experience.  

For more information on the Ivey Leadership Program, please download a program brochure. 

About The Ivey Academy at Ivey Business School
The Ivey Academy at Ivey Business School is the home for executive Learning and Development (L&D) in Canada. It is Canada’s only full-service L&D house, blending Financial Times top-ranked university-based executive education with talent assessment, instructional design and strategy, and behaviour change sustainment. 

Rooted in Ivey Business School’s real-world leadership approach, The Ivey Academy is a place where professionals come to get better, to break old habits and establish new ones, to practice, to change, to obtain coaching and support, and to join a powerful peer network. Follow The Ivey Academy on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.