This six-week program has been tailor-made for people working in museums, arts, nonprofit or government sectors who have recently taken on management responsibilities or otherwise want to improve their confidence in navigating workplace dynamics.
Each weekly online session covers a different theme, illustrated with case studies and examples drawn from real-life management experience in museums and local government.
Sessions introduce a range of concepts and frameworks, drawn from psychology, management studies and business, and applies them in relevant context. Participants also have the opportunity to bring their own case studies and current challenges to the sessions. Groups are kept small (max 10 people) to create community and a safe space for sharing.
Program outline:
Session 1 – Introduction
So you’ve become a team leader or manager – now what? The focus of your work changes. Not only that, the way people see you and react to you changes too, sometimes in unexpected ways. This session sets the scene, gives you a chance to get to know the group, and introduces some initial concepts and frameworks.
Session 2 – Understanding the Numbers
This jargon-busting session helps you know what you're looking at - and what to look out for - when reading a financial report. It will also show how to look beyond the numbers to see what a budget can tell you about the organisation as a whole.
Session 3 – Working with Others
The more senior you get, the more important working with others becomes. This session will cover effective delegation, how to chair meetings with purpose, as well as building strong foundations for teamwork.
Session 4 – Performance Management and Conflict
This session looks at how you can build a culture of constructive feedback: successes are celebrated, honesty is rewarded and people are held accountable. It includes how to have difficult conversations while keeping yourself grounded if things get uncomfortable or heated.
Session 5 – Legal and cultural structures
While you don’t need to be a legal or HR expert to manage people, it does help if you know what legislation exists and what that means for your workplace. The second half of this session goes beyond what’s written in black and white, unpacking the unspoken rules around organisational culture, identifying bias and barriers to inclusion.
Session 6 – Managing up and influencing others
The final session looks at how you increase your influence across an organisation and to your senior leadership, including at techniques for managing up and how to communicate more strategically.
Note that content might change slightly based on the specific needs and circumstances of each group.
About the Presenter
The program is developed and facilitated by Dr Regan Forrest, whose career in the cultural sector includes 10 years in senior leadership roles in museums, galleries and local government. See more in her LinkedIn profile.
Here’s what participants from 2026 Group 1 had to say:
I’ve recently moved into a leadership role in the museum sector and this six-week course was incredibly valuable. It provided a range of practical resources and gave me real clarity on the areas I want to focus on as I continue to develop in my leadership role. The content felt highly relevant to the museum and cultural sector, and the program offered thoughtful insights throughout from Regan’s experience in executive roles. It was also a great opportunity to connect with peers from across Australia, helping me build a broader network within the sector.
One of the best things I've done. . . . Why I loved it: ✓ Practical, real-world scenarios ✓ Draws from psychology, management studies & business – all applied to our context ✓ Small groups = actual discussion and peer learning ✓ So many "a-ha moments" ✓ Reassuring to discover you're not alone in the challenges you're facing I definitely recommend signing up for the next round if you're navigating difficult decisions/situations, team dynamics, or just want to sharpen your leadership approach and do some self-reflection.
Many leadership programs cost thousands of dollars, are not particularly relevant to the cultural sector, or both. This program has been designed to be an affordable alternative, at a cost of only AU$375+GST for a six-session block.
The program is run several times per year at different days and times. Scheduled upcoming groups:
NB: Minimum registration numbers apply, and timings may be adjusted based on participant preference and availability. If no upcoming days or times work for you, get in touch to be added to the waitlist.
Enquire or register through the contact form:
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