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At a time when the West Country’s construction sector faces unprecedented demands, ThinkCircle and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) are launching a transformative leadership programme that puts women at the forefront of industry innovation.

From sustainable housing projects to cultural landmarks, women leaders are already reshaping the construction industry through innovative design, enhanced project management, and inclusive team leadership. Yet in an industry where women make up just 14% of the workforce, we’re missing out on vital talent exactly when we need it most. This programme aims to change that.

Why this matters

The West Country’s construction sector is at a critical juncture. While the region faces increasing demands for innovative housing solutions and sustainable development, we’re operating with only half our potential talent pool. Women leaders in construction consistently demonstrate excellence in:

• Championing sustainable design and innovative project solutions
• Balancing operational leadership with community engagement
• Transforming company culture and industry standards
• Mentoring the next generation of construction professionals

By expanding women’s leadership in construction, we’re not just filling roles – we’re transforming how the industry approaches challenges, engages with communities, and builds for the future.

First cohort starts October

Our inaugural West Country cohort launches this October, coinciding with major regional development initiatives that will shape our communities for decades to come. With the construction sector facing unprecedented demands for innovation and leadership, there’s never been a more crucial time to ensure women’s voices are helping guide these transformative projects.

Places are limited, and expressions of interest are already strong from leading regional firms. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of reshaping the West Country’s construction future.

At a time when women’s leadership initiatives are losing momentum globally, the need for effective development approaches has never been more critical. Yet many leadership programs either ignore women’s specific challenges or acknowledge them without offering real solutions. ThinkCircle takes a different approach, placing reflective practice and peer learning at the center of lasting leadership development.

Why This Matters Now

The current landscape for women in leadership is paradoxical:

• Funding for women’s leadership development is available but potentially time-limited
• Traditional programs often fall short by either:
  • Ignoring women’s unique leadership challenges
  • Acknowledging barriers without providing practical pathways forward
• The post-pandemic workplace demands new leadership capabilities that many programs haven’t adapted to address

Beyond Traditional Leadership Development

Typical leadership programs focus on:

• One-off training sessions
• Generic leadership models
• Theory over practice
• Individual achievement

But lasting leadership growth, especially for women leaders, requires more:

• Continuous learning and adaptation
• Real-world application
• Community support
• Shared experience and wisdom

The Power of Reflective Practice

Reflective practice transforms leadership development from theoretical to practical:

• Leaders examine real challenges in real-time
• Assumptions and blind spots surface through structured reflection
• Decisions improve through systematic analysis
• Values and actions align through intentional practice

Research shows that even 15 minutes of daily reflection significantly improves leadership effectiveness compared to traditional approaches.

Why Peer Learning Amplifies Impact

While individual reflection is powerful, peer learning creates lasting change:

• Shared experiences reveal common challenges and innovative solutions
• Group wisdom helps navigate complex leadership situations
• Ongoing community support sustains development beyond the program
• Networks form that continue to nurture leadership growth

Studies confirm that leaders in peer learning groups develop stronger strategies and more creative solutions than those in traditional training formats.

The ThinkCircle Difference

ThinkCircle builds a community of practice, not just a training program:

• Real workplace challenges drive the learning
• Structured reflection builds lasting habits
• Peer circles create safe spaces for honest feedback
• Ongoing community engagement ensures sustained growth
• Leadership development continues through mutual support and mentoring

This isn’t just another women’s leadership program – it’s a growing community of practice that transforms how women leaders learn, adapt, and succeed together.

At The Coder’s Guild, we understand that authentic leadership is more than just a skill set—it’s an ongoing journey shaped by personal experiences, strengths, and challenges. Our Women Leaders in the Digital Age course is designed to help women in tech and digital sectors step confidently into leadership roles, embracing their unique approaches to leadership. Whether you are navigating a male-dominated industry or looking to refine your personal leadership style, this course equips you with the knowledge, community, and tools to excel.

A Course for Digital Leaders

Led by experienced professionals, this course goes beyond traditional business training. It provides tailored content for women in tech, combining emotional intelligence with the hard skills needed for leadership in the digital age. We emphasise self-awareness, confidence, and resilience—key components for leading effectively in fast-paced, evolving environments. You’ll also develop leadership strategies essential for the modern workplace, such as negotiation, team management, and strategic planning, all while maintaining a focus on your authentic self.

The Power of Authentic Leadership

Traditional leadership models often promote conformity, but our course encourages participants to embrace authenticity. This course empowers you to lead with empathy and vulnerability—qualities often overlooked in conventional leadership but crucial for creating a more inclusive and dynamic workplace.

As our expert trainer Emma Brassington notes, many women hesitate to voice their ideas or show vulnerability in male-dominated spaces. These internal barriers can limit career growth and erode confidence over time. By focusing on authenticity, this course helps you break through those barriers and unlock your potential as a leader, drawing from your unique strengths and values.

Practical Skills for Real-World Application

Alongside self-reflection and personal growth, the Women Leaders in the Digital Age course offers practical tools and techniques for immediate application. You will engage in:

• Self-Awareness Exercises: Explore your leadership style, identifying areas for growth and strengths to harness. This self-exploration is critical in aligning your personal values with your professional role.
• Creative Reflection: Through journaling and visual exercises, you will delve into your leadership journey in innovative ways that foster deeper self-understanding.
• Team Leadership Simulations: You will work with your cohort on practical simulations, refining your skills in conflict resolution, team building, and collaboration.
• Leadership Strategies: Learn key skills such as negotiation, managing time, and strategic planning, tailored specifically for leadership in digital industries.

Building a Supportive Community

One of the core components of this course is the peer network it fosters. You’ll connect with like-minded women facing similar challenges and opportunities in tech and digital industries. This supportive cohort will become an invaluable resource, not just during the course but throughout your leadership journey.

Leadership can often feel isolating, but this program creates a space where you can share experiences, ask questions, and grow alongside peers who understand the challenges women face in the digital world. As Emma highlights, this sense of community serves as a long-term support system, providing ongoing encouragement and guidance.

What You’ll Take Away

By the end of the Women Leaders in the Digital Age course, you’ll have a comprehensive leadership toolkit, with a balance of practical strategies and emotional intelligence. You’ll be equipped to navigate the complexities of leadership in a digital, fast-moving world while staying true to your values and authentic self.

In addition to the skills gained, you will leave with a network of peers and mentors who will continue to support you as you progress in your career.

As Emma puts it, “This course is about building confidence, awareness, and resilience. It’s not about having all the answers but about trusting in yourself and your strengths.” Senior leaders who have completed this program echo this sentiment, noting the personal and professional transformation it inspires.

At The Coder’s Guild, we believe empowering women to lead authentically is key to shaping the future of tech and digital industries. This program serves as the foundation for a lifelong leadership journey, and we look forward to helping you unlock your full potential.

At The Coders Guild, we believe that leadership isn’t about fitting a mould — it’s about stepping into your power, developing confidence, and showing up authentically. Our Women’s Leadership Bootcamp was created with that in mind — to support women as they grow into the leaders they’re meant to be.

But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what two of our recent participants had to say about their experience — and we’d love to hear what you think too.

Alix’s Story: From Uncertainty to Empowered Leadership

Alix Wild, a leadership and performance coach at Yorkshire Water, came to the bootcamp looking for clarity. Though she had years of experience in Learning & Organisational Development, she felt ready for something new — something bigger.

What she found wasn’t just a leadership course, but a community.

“The bootcamp gave me something completely different from what I expected — but exactly what I needed. It allowed me to explore leadership in a way that felt natural, without the pressure to conform to outdated leadership styles.”

Alix left the programme with renewed confidence, fresh leadership tools like the Disney Model for Creativity, and a new role where she now coaches future leaders.

Zeliha’s Story: Rediscovering Confidence After Redundancy

Zeliha Karpuz was facing uncertainty after a career pivot from healthcare to tech. When her role was at risk, she began to doubt herself — a common experience, especially for women in male-dominated fields.

The bootcamp helped her see things differently.

“I used to think leaders had to be naturally gifted. Now I know leadership is something you develop — and I can develop it too.”

Since completing the programme, Zeliha has stepped into new leadership roles, started mentoring other women in tech, and even gained confidence speaking in public — in a language that’s not her first.

Why It Works

Our Women’s Leadership Bootcamp is more than a course — it’s a brave space where women can:

• Build confidence without pressure to conform
• Learn practical leadership frameworks
• Connect with peers who get it
• Develop their authentic leadership style

Facilitated by experienced women leaders, the programme is designed to support women at any stage of their leadership journey.

💬 We’d Love Your Feedback

Have you taken part in a leadership programme before?What kind of support do you think women need to thrive in leadership?Or are you considering joining our next bootcamp and have questions?

Share your thoughts, or message us directly — we’re listening.

Curious about the programme?Explore the Women’s Leadership Bootcamp and discover how it can support your leadership journey.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream.

and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us.

as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks.

and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us.

my friend, but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream.

and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us.

as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks.

and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us.

my friend, but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.