In the summer of 2022, some of Scotland’s most senior public service leaders came together – not for policy or planning, but for reflection. The Columba 1400 Senior Leaders’ Academy (SLA) offered them something many hadn’t experienced in years: space to pause, to connect deeply with others, and to reconnect with themselves.

These were leaders from across the Scottish Government, NHS, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Local Authorities and the Voluntary Sector – people used to carrying significant responsibility, often in isolation.

The Origin Story: From Collaboration to Connection

The SLA was born out of the success of Columba 1400’s earlier work with the Tayside Collaborative – a group of five CEOs from across the Tayside local authorities along with representatives from police, fire and health services. Their experience had shown that when values-based leadership is nurtured, something powerful happens – barriers fall, relationships deepen, and collaboration becomes real.

Encouraged by this success, and with support from The Hunter Foundation and Scottish Leaders’ Forum, the SLA was created for a wider group of senior leaders. Two cohorts were piloted, and each began with an online preparation day, followed by a residential retreat at Blair Castle and Estate in North Ayrshire – a serene and symbolic “safe harbour” for reflection and connection.

The aim of the experience – Columba 1400 is not a course; it is an experience – was to develop and support a growing network of senior leaders from across Scotland’s public services. It would create a space for leaders from different sectors and agencies to connect, build meaningful relationships, exchange ideas, and challenge and learn from each other.

At the heart of the work was a shared ambition: to build a strong sense of common purpose and a collective commitment to doing what it takes to support Scotland’s recovery from COVID-19 and to improve outcomes for its people, communities, and places.

Beyond personal development, the experience was also designed to foster active deliberation and honest dialogue – laying the groundwork for genuine systems change. It aimed to challenge existing ways of working and help create the conditions needed for more joined-up, innovative approaches that cross policy silos and system boundaries.

The Experience: Personal, Not Prescribed

What made the SLA different was its deeply human approach. It focused on ‘heart to heart, rather than ‘head-to-head’. There were no PowerPoint presentations or management theory sessions. Instead, through storytelling, dialogue, and shared silence, leaders explored questions of identity, authenticity, and purpose.

“Most leadership development tends to focus on ‘a method’ or the ‘steps’ to better leadership. The Columban approach in being person – and value – centric is different and all the more powerful for that.”

“The engagement method of the facilitators is almost unique in my experience…the facilitators were authentic in their approach and motivations. They also came across as being genuinely interested in each person on the experience and engaged with them intellectually and as an individual. This combination of a person-centred approach with intellectual rigour made for a truly wonderful experience.”

Many participants described the experience as transformational – not because of what they learned, but because of how it made them feel. They left more grounded, more connected, and more confident in who they were as leaders and people.

“The SLA experience took me from a rather unconfident and deferential leader to one who is more authentically empowered to make a difference… I am a better connected, empowered leader as a result of the experience.”

‘… genuinely I can’t underestimate that impact, it really has made a big difference for me… I felt energised and enthused, I felt part of the team, and I felt like I could achieve a lot because of what I had learnt and what I had built up.”

The Impact: Leading With Humanity

Participants reported meaningful changes in their leadership – shaped by empathy, self-awareness, and a renewed sense of hope. The effects rippled outward:

  • Stronger cross-sector collaboration and influence on approaches to organisational change.
  • Increased or refreshed focus on values-based leadership within their wider team.
  • Greater resilience and authenticity in the face of challenges.
  • More intentional focus on wellbeing – for themselves and their teams.
  • A willingness to have “harder conversations” with greater balance and honesty.

“The SLA experience helped to secure my connection to my purpose more firmly and clearly – anchored if you like. Which has created a stronger foundation for me to work with and express my values in my everyday interactions with colleagues and stakeholders.”

The Legacy: Relationships That Endure

A key theme echoed across both cohorts was the power of relationships built through shared experience. Participants spoke of bonds that transcended organisations and hierarchy – creating trust and understanding that would shape future collaboration.

“There has been so much practical work done by people in the cohort since the session – with real impact for Scotland in areas such as better social care, sustainable budgets, removing silos and welcoming and integrating refugees into Scotland.”

The success of the Senior Leaders’ Academy led to a strong appetite for continuing the journey. In January 2023, graduates from both cohorts were invited to Return to Harbour – a reunion to reflect, reconnect, and renew their shared commitment to values-based leadership.

Why It Matters

In a time of complexity and crisis, leadership can often feel reactive, isolated, and disconnected from the human side of public service. The Senior Leaders’ Academy demonstrated that leadership is not about control – it is about connection and relationships. Not about always having the answers but about asking the right questions with humility and courage.

“The combination of self-reflection on your value base and on your motivations, while also focusing on others, was a powerful experience for me. You learn that many of the answers lie within yourself and in your relations with others.”

“There are so many people that I think would benefit from it…I think in this day and age, especially in the context of shrinking budgets, resources, and things, you know, working on those challenges together in a different space and environment and building those relationships is key, I really do.”

Find out more about our Leadership Academies for Senior Leaders here.